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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy
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Building and Office Policies

Department of Physics and Astronomy Values Statement

  • Excellence: We pursue high-quality, evidence-based education and research, conducted ethically, responsibly, and with integrity.
  • Service: We work to serve our department, university, and the public through our activities in science, teaching, outreach, and advocacy.
  • Community: We endeavor to respect, appreciate, and support those inside and outside the department.
  • Opportunity: We dedicate ourselves to expanding opportunities for every member of the department, guided by the land grant mission.

White Hall Non-Faculty Office Policy

  1. Graduate students, staff, and post-doctoral researchers are granted access to departmental office space for the duration of their affiliation with the Department. Undergraduate students are not provided individual office space. However, undergraduates who agree to abide by the Department’s Code of Conduct are entitled to access the Undergraduate Lounge, located in White Hall, Room G07, as well as exterior building entry points.
  2. Desk assignments are determined and finalized by the Department only when desks become definitively available and vacant. The Department does not maintain waiting lists or queues for desks currently in use. This policy ensures maximum flexibility in meeting evolving and unforeseen space needs.
  3. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and in compliance with the Campus Student Conduct Code, as administered by the Division of Student Life & Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Failure to adhere to these policies may result int he revocation of desk privileges within White Hall.
  4. To foster academic engagement, cohort interaction, and professional development, all first-year graduate students are required to remain in Room G03 for the entirety of their first academic year, regardless of appointment type (Graduate Research Assistant, Graduate Teaching Assistant, or Fellow).
  5. Any student who has occupied a desk in G03 for more than three full, regular semesters is eligible to relocate, provided that a desk elsewhere is available. Priority for desk allocation is given to students who are actively engaged in research groups. All other eligible students are assigned alphabetically thereafter.
  6. No graduate student may occupy more than one desk in White Hall.
  7. Graduate students who leave the Department for a period exceeding one semester forfeit their assigned desk. Students experiencing extenuating circumstances that may impede their return may petition the Department’s administrative staff for an exception to this policy.
  8. Office reassignments typically occur during winter break, at the end of the academic year, or during the summer term. Reassignments during an academic semester are uncommon and occur only in exceptional circumstances.
  9. All office occupants are required to maintain a clean and orderly workspace, free from trash, open food containers, and excessive clutter. Students who fail to uphold cleanliness standards, despite reminders, may lose their desk privileges within White Hall.
  10. To promote a clean and safe work environment, all non-faculty offices are subject to regular inspections by Department staff. If cleanliness concerns are identified, the occupant will be notified via email and expected to address the issue promptly. Continued failure to maintain an orderly workspace may result in the loss of desk privileges. Any maintenance-related issues identified during inspections will be reported to Facilities Management.
  11. To ensure the safety, maintenance, and operational integrity of departmental facilities, authorized university personnel — including emergency responders, maintenance and janitorial staff, and administrative employees — may access offices at any time as necessary.

Undergraduate Lounge Use Agreement

All undergraduate students are entitled to request access to the Undergraduate Lounge (White Hall, Room G07) and exterior building doors. To request access, please complete the White Hall Access Request Form.

  • I agree to uphold the values of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
  • I agree to abide by the Campus Student Conduct Code, as defined by the Division of Student Life.
  • I agree to use the Lounge responsibly and for its intended purposes.
  • I agree to be respectful of other students, staff, or faculty who may use or enter the Lounge.
  • I agree to remove all personal belongings and trash prior to leaving the Lounge.
  • I agree to be held responsible for my behavior and the consequences of my actions when using the Lounge.

The following rules apply to all who use the Lounge, and failure to uphold these rules will result in access revocation or other consequences, as appropriate:

  • Adhere to the standard codes of conduct, etiquette, and decorum.
  • You must clean up after yourself. If you do not have the necessary supplies to clean up a mess, then report it to the staff in WH 111.
  • Do not post anything on the walls or door. If you wish to post something on the wall, then make a request to the staff in WH 111.
  • Do not put your feet on the shoes or tables.
  • Do not move furniture without speaking to the staff in WH 111.
  • Be respectful of the furniture, supplies, and amenities in the lounge.