Policies and Procedures for Use of UNDERC: General Information
Management
Responsibilities
Responsibility for managing the
UNDERC program and Land O' Lakes property falls under the jurisdiction
of several individuals and University committees. The Land O' Lakes
property is administered by the Director of Administrative Services,
Buisiness Operations and the Director of the Environmental Research
Center , who are responsible to an advisory board that is appointed
by the President of the University.
Management of Killarney Point and the Land O' Lakes property in general is the responsibility of the Vice President for Business Operations. Property maintenance and coordination of Land O' Lakes operations are the responsibilities of the resident Property Managers.
Most UNDERC operations are the responsibility of the Environmental Research Center Director, the Assistant Director, and the UNDERC Scientific Advisory Board. The board is appointed and chaired by the Dean of the College of Science. Membership of the UNDERC Advisory Board includes the UNDERC Director and the Vice President for Graduate Studies. It may also include other individuals with expertise in the management and protection of natural areas.
The use of vertebrate animals for research and teaching is under the jurisdiction of the Notre Dame Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The use, care, and disposal of potentially hazardous chemical and radioactive materials are regulated by the Notre Dame Risk Management and Safety Department.
All proposals and requests relating to UNDERC educational and research programs or questions regarding policies on the use of habitats, facilities, and equipment on the Land O' Lakes property should be made to the UNDERC Director. The Assistant Director coordinates the daily operation and scheduling of UNDERC during the spring-summer field season. The Assistant Director is also responsible for the operation of the summer field course, Practicum in Field Environmental Biology (BIOS 35502). The Director, Assistant Director, and Property Managers are all responsible for integrating UNDERC research and teaching activities with other University uses of the Land O' Lakes property and its facilities.
Access
to the Property
The normal operation dates
of UNDERC are May 15 to September 15. Access to the property between March
1 and May 15 is severely limited due to the instability of the roads
during the spring thaw. Depending on road conditions, the Property Managers
may restrict or prohibit driving on some parts of the property until
late May.
The gates to the Land O' Lakes property are locked and access is restricted to authorized individuals only. Requests for access to the property for scientific and educational purposes must be made to the Director both during the spring-summer field season and at other times of the year. Access to the property primarily for recreational activities is not permitted. It is the Director's responsibility to make appropriate access and housing arrangements with the Property Managers. The Property Managers do not have the authority to admit visitors to the property for scientific or educational purposes or to permit anyone to use UNDERC facilities or equipment without prior approval from the Director.
Residents and regular visitors to the property may be issued keys to the south property gate by the Director or Assistant Director. Keys must not be duplicated and may not be given to others without specific authorization. They must be surrendered immediately at the request of the Director, Assistant Director, or the Property Managers. Possession of a key to the property gates does not constitute implied permission to enter the property unless specific authorization has also been given. There is a $50 per key charge for replacement of lost keys.
Each visitor to the property, including field station residents, must complete a Visitor Information Form upon arrival each time he or she visits the property. Forms are available from the Assistant Director. Forms must be completed immediately upon arrival and returned to the Assistant Director. During the spring-summer field season, UNDERC visitors must also inform the Assistant Director upon arrival. At other times, or if the Assistant Director is unavailable, visitors must check in with the Property Managers and complete a Visitor Information Form. Visitors always must lock entrance gates after entering or leaving the property.
Natural
Habitats
No environmental modifications
may be made to property habitats without approval from the Director.
This includes posting signs; use of flagging; introduction of organisms;
removal, tagging, or marking of vertebrate animals; construction or
introduction of apparatus, docks, or apparatus housings; addition of
nutrients or other chemicals into habitats; destruction or removal of
terrestrial or aquatic vegetation; changing water levels; and altering
runoff or drainage patterns. In addition, all approved signs, flagging,
and apparatus must be removed from habitats by the end of the spring-summer
field season unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director.
Disturbance, feeding, taming, or other interference with wildlife on
the property is not permitted without authorization from the Director
or Property Managers. Pets and other vertebrates may not be brought
onto the property.
Written descriptions of all research conducted on the property must be filed with the Director. Individuals may not visit or sample any habitat on the property without authorization from the Director or Assistant Director. In addition, access to certain habitats on the property may be prohibited or restricted during periods in order to avoid interference with other uses and users of the property. Access to Inkpot, Moccasin, and Plum lakes is prohibited without special approval from the Director/Assistant Director and the Property Manager. Coordination of access to other property habitats during the spring-summer field season is the responsibility of the Assistant Director. At other times of the year, it is the responsibility of the Director and Property Managers.
Allocation of UNDERC Facilities
The primary consideration
is to make UNDERC facilities and resources accessible to as many students
and researchers as possible to maximize use of the UNDERC property for
education and research. With this goal, the following priorities determine
access to UNDERC facilities and resources when demand exceeds supply:
UNDERC property refers to the Land O' Lakes property owned by the University of Notre Dame.
Additional considerations related to UNDERC facilities, defined as space, equipment purchased with UNDERC funds, and other support material:
UNDERC Deadlines
While requests can be made at any time, the following application dates
provide first access to UNDERC facilities and resources:
Housing
Allocation
Requests
for housing should be made as early as possible in the year. Normally,
the initial allocation of housing space for the upcoming spring-summer
field season is made by March 15. Requests for housing received after
this date are considered on a first-come-first-served basis. Once housing
has been assigned, Principal Investigators are required to make a non-refundable
50% deposit of funds to secure their requested bed space throughout
the summer. The primary consideration in making housing assignments
is to accommodate as many students and researchers as possible. Comfort,
location, choice of roommates, and family accommodations are secondary
considerations. Allocation of housing space is the responsibility of
the Director. During the spring-summer field season the Assistant Director
will assign living quarters to UNDERC participants. At other times,
specific housing assignments may be made by the Property Managers. The
unauthorized changing of housing assignments or use of accommodations
is strictly prohibited.
Housing
Accommodations
UNDERC
participants are housed in five residential buildings: Ward Hall, Darwin
House, two dormitory buildings, and Craig House. Students, researchers,
and technicians are housed in the winterized dormitory buildings (which
contain 1- and 2-bedroom apartments) or in Ward Hall or Darwin House
which both contain sleeping rooms and shared living, bath, and dining
areas. Craig House, reserved for the Director and faculty members participating
in the UNDERC field course, consists of two 2-bedroom apartments. Bedrooms
in most buildings contain one or two bunk beds and can accommodate two
to four people each. Ward Hall and Darwin House are not winterized and
are used only during the spring-summer field season.
Housing is rented on a per- bed basis and fees can not be waived by the Director. Housing fees for student and faculty participants of the summer field course (BIOS 30569) are paid by the Hank Family Endowment. Apartments in the dormitory buildings are normally rented on a weekly basis only. There are four 1-bedroom apartments (each with three or four beds) and four 2-bedroom apartments which may be rented by Principal Investigators for their students and/or technicians. Four of these eight apartments in these buildings are reserved for UNDERC field course students and staff from mid-May through mid-August. Ward Hall and Darwin House contain one to four 4-bed sleeping rooms that share common living, bath, and dining areas. These are only for use by same gender residents or for families. The beds in these buildings are rented on a daily or weekly basis. If space is available, Principal Investigators may rent all of the beds in one of the 1-bedroom dormitory apartments for spouses and/or families. Children may stay with their parents in these apartments without additional charge. However, additional beds are not provided for children. If available, the 2-bedroom dormitory apartments (with three or four beds per bedroom) may be rented for family use before or after the summer field course at four times the single bed rate.
Items available in each dormitory apartment and in the common kitchen areas of Ward Hall and Darwin House include pillows, dishes, flatware, pots, pans, and refrigerator storage containers. Residents must supply their own blankets, linens, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, etc. Boot racks are provided outside each apartment so that residents can avoid bringing boots and other muddy field apparel or equipment into the living areas. Residents are expected to keep living areas clean and in good order during their stay. Any problems should be promptly reported to the Assistant Director during the spring-summer field season and to the Property Managers at other times.
All trash is disposed of in the large commercial dumpster located in the long-term parking area. Littering and disposal of trash elsewhere on the property is prohibited.
To keep housing costs as low as possible, no cleaning service is provided. Each apartment contains a vacuum and other cleaning equipment. Residents are responsible for leaving their apartment and/or living area absolutely clean and must pay the cost of any labor required to make it ready for the next occupant. Each resident is also financially responsible for any damage or breakage that occurs in an apartment and/or living space during their occupancy. Principal Investigators who rent housing space for students and/or technicians are financially responsible for any cleaning and/or damage charges incurred by these individuals.
Individuals must notify the Assistant Director one week in advance of their planned check-out date. At this time, the individual and the Assistant Director will schedule a date and time for a final walk-through of the apartment. During the walk-through, any property damage or remaining untidy portions of the apartment will be noted. If the individual fails to repair or clean up the noted items prior to leaving the property, he/she will be fined accordingly.
Laundry
Laundry
facilities (clothes washers and driers) are located in a building between
the dormitories and the James B. Hank Research Facility. Only personal
items may be cleaned. Field equipment may not be placed in UNDERC washing
machines or driers.
Vehicles
and Driving
A list
of each private vehicle entering the property, including license plate
number and make, is maintained by the Assistant Director and Property
Managers. All state laws concerning the operation and use of motor vehicles
apply to the Land O' Lakes property including those that prohibit driving
while intoxicated. The speed limit on side roads is 20 mph, on main
roads it is 25 mph, and in the housing/laboratory complex it is 15 mph.
Speed limits must be rigidly observed. All vehicles must remain on established
roads and keep to the right of the road. Drivers are cautioned to remain
aware of other vehicles in use on the property and the possibility of
animals darting into the path of a vehicle.
Only passenger car-sized vehicles (including light pickup trucks, standard-width vans, SUVs, and minivans) are permitted on side roads between the south property gate and Killarney Point. Heavy trucks, motor homes, buses, vehicles with more than 4 wheels, and vehicles wider than normal are not permitted on side roads without the expressed approval of the Property Managers. Abuse or violation of motor vehicle regulations may result in permanent forfeiture of all driving privileges on the property and may affect future access to the property.
Operation of University-owned vehicles assigned to the UNDERC program requires permission from the Director or Assistant Director. Undergraduate students must complete a University-sponsored driving course. Anyone operating a University-owned vehicle must possess a valid driver's license and be a student or employee of the University of Notre Dame. The University has the option of running a check on any operator's Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) to determine driving history.
Gasoline
Gasoline
and motor oil are available only for UNDERC, Notre Dame-owned, and research
vehicles unless arrangements have been made with the Director. All gasoline
and motor oil usage must be recorded in the fuel log book located adjacent
to the gasoline pumps.
Boats
and boat equipment storage
Flat-bottom
boats owned by UNDERC (designated by a Roman numeral or UND#) are located
at regularly used lakes. Formal classes have priority use of these boats.
Use of UNDERC boats by Principal Investigators for research and students
for independent projects is secondary. Boats may only be used for recreation
when they are not being used for class, research, or projects. Arrangements
for exclusive or extensive use of UNDERC boats for research by Principal
Investigators must be made with the Director prior to the start of the
spring-summer field season. Scheduling of UNDERC-owned boats is handled
by the Director or Assistant Director during the spring-summer field
season and by the Property Managers at other times of the year.
Principal Investigators may bring their own non-motorized boats onto the property for use in their research. A list containing a description and registration number of each private boat on the property is maintained by both the Assistant Director and Property Managers. With the exception of small battery-operated trolling motors, motorized boats may not be used on property lakes other than Bay and Tenderfoot without authorization from the Director. Any boat operated with a motor must be licensed by the state of Michigan or by the owner's state of residence. In accordance with Michigan state law, all boats must carry one vest-type life preserver per occupant.
The storage of batteries and outboard motors is prohibited in the UNDERC storage building, research laboratories, and housing areas. All boat and motor batteries must be charged and/or stored in the shed attached to the generator building adjacent to the James B. Hank Research Facility. Fully-charged batteries may be stored in the battery charging area between field seasons. All batteries and outboard motors in storage must be labeled with the Principal Investigator's name. Outboard motors must be stored upright on the rack adjacent to the flammables storage building next to the gas pumps. They may not be stored in the flammables building. Detached outboard motor gas tanks may be stored in the flammables building. These must be labeled with the owner's name.
Use
of Vertebrates, Radioisotopes, and Chemicals
It is the
responsibility of all individuals to read, understand, and rigidly abide
by established protocols for vertebrate, radioisotope, and laboratory
chemical use. Individuals residing in UNDERC living facilities and/or
working in the research laboratories must view a radiation and chemical
hygiene safety video at the beginning of their use of the property each
field season, which is available through our Links
page. Individuals using radioisotopes must maintain current logs of
radioisotope use on a daily basis. Further information regarding the
filing of vertebrate and radioisotope protocols is located in the "Policies
and Procedures" section titled " Information for Researchers
and Principal Investigators " under " Review Process ."
Regulations governing laboratory behavior and the storage, handling,
use, and disposal of laboratory chemicals are located in the "Policies
and Procedures" section titled " Chemical and Laboratory Hygiene
."
Bulk
Chemical Storage
Only working
amounts of chemicals may be stored in laboratories unless advanced approval
is given by the Director. Chemicals in containers 5 gallons or larger
which are unlikely to be used within a two week period are considered
"bulk" and must be stored in the flammables building. This
building is divided into the following areas: acids, bases, solvents,
gas, and alcohol. Containers must be stored in the appropriate area.
Each container must be adequately labeled with the following information:
substance name, appropriate hazard warnings, precautionary measures
to be observed when storing and using the substance, owner's name, date
the substance was received, and, if opened, the date the container was
opened. Chemical containers may not be brought to or stored at UNDERC
without an adequate identifying label. The contents of unlabeled containers
containing chemicals must be assayed prior to disposal. A charge of
$50.00 per container will be assessed to a Principal Investigator to
cover the cost of the assay. Chemicals not consumed within a single
spring-summer field season may be stored between field seasons with
the advanced approval of the Director. For more information, please
see the "Chemical and Laboratory Hygiene" subsection titled
"Chemical Procurement, Distribution, and Storage."
Opening chemical containers, dispensing chemicals, and/or mixing chemicals are prohibited inside the flammables building. The addition of oil to outboard motor tanks also must be done outside of the flammables building. Chemicals and gas must be stored in approved containers. Gas tanks for outboard motors must be labeled with the Principal Investigator's name.
The flammables building is not heated. Investigators must remove containers from the building at the end of the field season whose contents cannot withstand temperatures of -40 0 F/C. The Principal Investigator is responsible for repair and clean-up costs that result from the leakage of bulk chemicals due to freezing.
Project
Construction and Storage
A project
construction and storage building is available for the construction
and storage of field and laboratory apparatus. Research buildings and
laboratories, apartments, and outside areas adjacent to these facilities
are not appropriate places for apparatus construction or storage. Researchers
must provide their own tools and must keep work areas free of unnecessary
debris and waste. At least 2 individuals must be present when hazardous
tools such as radial saws are being used. Lockable walk-in closets in
the building may be assigned to investigators for apparatus and supplies
storage. Flammable liquids such as gasoline (including filled or partially
filled outboard motor gas tanks) and batteries may not be stored in
this building. Apparatus stored in the loft area must be labeled with
the project and/or Principal Investigator's name. When a project is
completed, all stored apparatus and materials must be removed from storage
areas and lockers. Failure to vacate storage areas and/or remove stored
apparatus promptly at the end of a project may subject the Principal
Investigator to storage and/or disposal charges.
Other
Facilities and Equipment
A copy
machine located in the James B. Hank Research Facility may be used for
low-volume copying which is research or class related. It may not be
used for copying personal items, publications, or other library materials;
for high volume copy applications; or by students without authorization
from the Director or Assistant Director. A copy control card provided
to each research group records copier activity. A charge of $.05 per
copy will be billed to the Principal Investigator at the end of the
field season.
Researchers are expected to provide, secure, and insure their field and laboratory equipment, tools, and supplies for investigations conducted on the Land O' Lakes property. UNDERC cannot assume responsibility for property or equipment that is damaged or stolen. Space in the wet laboratory and the James B. Hank Research Facility is assigned to Principal Investigators by the Director. Because laboratory space always is at a premium, it may be necessary for Principal Investigators to share laboratory space. Research fees are based, in part, on the laboratory space requirements of a project.
Building
Repairs, Modifications, and Improvements
To request
repairs, modifications, or improvements to UNDERC laboratories and/or
offices, individuals must complete a Work
Request Form located in the administrative office. UNDERC
administration and Land O' Lakes repair personnel check the office on
a regular basis for completed forms. Building modifications and improvements
must be approved by the Director or Assistant Director before action
is taken. Repairs do not require approval prior to completion. This
procedure must be followed for all repairs, modifications, and/or improvements.
The only exception is in a case of an emergency when individuals or
the property are at risk of danger or damage.
Personal
Conduct
Public
intoxication and boisterous or unruly behavior are not tolerated on
the Land O' Lakes property. All UNDERC participants and visitors are
responsible for any damage made to the property or facilities resulting
from carelessness or unruly behavior. Injury of another person as a
result of carelessness, negligence, or non-compliance with UNDERC policies
may subject the offender to personal liability. In addition, non-adherence
to UNDERC of University of Notre Dame regulations may lead to immediate
dismissal from the property and/or denial of future access. The
rules of du Lac (University of Notre Dame Student Life Policies
and Procedures) apply to all researchers and students on the property
including those students hired as employees.
Killarney Point contains the Property Managers' residence and the University Conference Center. Access to Killarney Point and the President's Lodge on Roach Lake are by invitation only. UNDERC participants must respect the privacy of these areas as well as that of the other users of the Land O' Lakes property.
A quiet period is observed from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM daily in the housing areas and research laboratories. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings at UNDERC.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the research laboratories, while operating motor vehicles, and during class and class-related activities such as field trips and independent research. In accordance with Michigan and Wisconsin state laws, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by individuals under the age of 21 is prohibited. Providing alcohol to minors may result in denial of future access to the Land O' Lakes property and/or UNDERC facilities.
Children of UNDERC participants and visitors must be accompanied at all times by an adult, who is responsible for their safety and conduct, except in the housing area. Children may only swim, boat, fish, or hike on the property while under the close supervision of an adult.
Recreation
UNDERC
is not a recreation area. However, limited recreation privileges generally
are given to individuals who are housed on the property. Recreational
use of the property by guests and day visitors must be approved by the
Director or Assistant Director. Basketball and volleyball courts and
a ping-pong table are located in the housing area. Recreational swimming
is limited to a designated area in Roach Lake. However, since there
are no lifeguards, swimming alone and unsupervised swimming by children
are prohibited.
Fishing, boating, and other recreational uses of lakes by UNDERC participants are prohibited in Bergner, Inkpot, Kickapoo, Moccasin, Plum , and Raspberry lakes. The recreational use of Roach Lake, except for swimming in the designated area, is also prohibited. Recreational fishing is generally limited to Bay, Crampton, Brown, Morris, and Tenderfoot lakes. When permitted, fishing in other property habitats is limited to catch-and-release fishing using lures. Use of live bait is prohibited to minimize injury to fish and to prevent the introduction of unwanted organisms into property habitats. Fishing and/or other recreational uses of lakes other than Bay, Morris, Crampton, Brown, and Tenderfoot require permission from the Assistant Director (or in his/her absence, the Director) and the Property Manager) and must be scheduled in advance so as not to interfere with other uses and users of the Land O' Lakes property. A Michigan fishing license is required for all fishing on the property. In addition, boats (except for those owned by UNDERC) may not be used without approval from the Director or Assistant Director.
Individuals wishing to SCUBA dive on the Land O' Lakes property must supply a copy of his or her certification card and present a dive log to the Assistant Director before the first dive each spring-summer field season. In addition, the Assistant Director must be informed of all SCUBA diving at least one day in advance of the dive. Each group of divers must have at least one person with post-certification diving experience. Diving alone is strictly prohibited .
Safety
and Emergencies
The harvesting
of native plants and mushrooms for human consumption is prohibited.
Picking of blueberries and raspberries is permitted if this can be done
without damage to the plants or to the surrounding habitat. Because
of the health threat posed by Giardia and other microorganisms,
water from native habitats should not be consumed or used in cooking
or food preparation.
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals used in UNDERC laboratories are contained in notebooks located in the library on the first floor of the James B. Hank Research Facility and in the second floor hall of the wet laboratory. For additional information on laboratory accidents, please refer to the "Chemical and Laboratory Hygiene" subsection titled "Accidents, Hazards, and Injuries."
Medical emergencies must be reported to the Assistant Director or Property Managers. First aid supplies and equipment are located in University vehicles, the classroom, and the research laboratories. Telephones are located in the research laboratories, the maintenance building, the Director's residence in Craig House, the Assistant Director's residence in the dormitory building, and at the Property Managers' residence on Killarney Point. Persons with special health problems or serious allergies should inform the Assistant Director or Property Managers upon arrival. The closest hospital with emergency facilities is in Minocqua , Wisconsin , a 45-minute drive from UNDERC.
In accordance with Michigan state law, all boats must carry one vest-type life preserver per occupant. For more information, please see the "General Information" subsection titled "Boats and boat equipment storage."
All federal, state, and University regulations concerning the care, storage, use, and disposal of hazardous and radioactive chemicals must be observed. For more information, please see the "General Information" subsection titled "Use of Vertebrates, Radioisotopes, and Chemicals" and the "Information for Researchers and Principal Investigators" subsection titled "Review Process."
Mail
Incoming
mail for UNDERC participants is delivered to the UNDERC mailbox located
adjacent to the generator building in the housing area. Outgoing mail
can be placed in the UNDERC mailbox or in the ND Properties mailbox
located outside of the main gate to the Notre Dame Properties. Mail
placed in the ND Properties mailbox by 9:00 AM is picked up that day
by the mail carrier. To minimize confusion, pickup of mail from the
ND Properties mailbox is coordinated by the Property Managers.
The correct mailing address for students and researchers residing on property is:
Name
UNDERC
7645 Notre Dame Lane.
Land O ' Lakes,
WI 54540
First class mail is forwarded to UNDERC participants for a period of six weeks following their departure from the field station. It is the responsibility of each participant to inform correspondents of the date he or she will be terminating residence at the station. After the six week period, all mail (including 1 st class mail) may be discarded.
Delivery
of Equipment and Supplies
With the
exception of deliveries made by the U.S. Postal Service and United Parcel
Service (UPS), entry onto the property by commercial transport or rental
truck requires the advance authorization of the Property Managers. Providing
access to the property and/or laboratory rooms to vendors, delivery
companies, and/or repair or service personnel is prohibited.
Telephones
A digital
telephone system serves the UNDERC research laboratories and some housing
areas. Telephones are located in the Director's and Assistant Director's
residences, the Craig House (north side), and the research laboratories.
Telephones in the Director's and Assistant Director's residences, and
Craig House (north side) are limited to use by authorized personnel
and building residents only.
A general use telephone is located on both the first and the second floor halls of the James B. Hank Research Facility. All personal calls must be made from these phones. Personal "off-property" calls are limited to 30 minutes per call per person. Business calls may be made from the telephone located on the second floor of the wet laboratory and hallway telephones in the James B. Hank Research Facility. From May 10 through September 1 between 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM CDT, Monday through Friday, the outside line is reserved for business calls. Incoming personal calls during the business calling period are limited to 5 minutes each. All long-distance calls are to be made using a prepaid long distance calling card. These are available for purchase from the Director or Assistant Director.
Fax
A fax machine
is located in the administrative office of the James B. Hank Research
Facility. The UNDERC fax number is: 906-842-2311. The cost for outgoing
faxes is $.60 per page, plus the cost of the telephone call. Outgoing
faxes must be recorded on the " UNDERC
Fax Log "
located beside the fax machine. Incoming fax messages will be posted
on the message board in the Hank Lab hallway.
Internet
Access
Internet access
is available via wireless service at UNDERC during the normal field
season. Downloading music and video files and constant-stream files
are strictly prohibited, as UNDERC ' s
internet service has a limited bandwidth for the entire property. Access
is available via Ethernet connections in the Hank Lab and Wet Lab. Wireless
internet service is available in all buildings.
Habitats: northern hardwood forests, lakes and wetlands
