VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

Study areas are available for students throughout the building and each campus may have specific procedures in place for the use of certain areas (i.e. reservations), while other areas may have open access on a first come/first serve basis. Areas are often reserved for student use such as peer tutoring sessions or other curricular events. Students will be made aware of the procedures regarding the use of these study areas annually. Students are asked to be considerate of others and refrain from placing belongings in study areas when not in the room to occupy or reserve the room for future use. Concerns regarding student abuse of study areas should be brought before student leadership and the Honor Code Council. While on campus, it is important for everyone to consider the immense effort it takes to keep the property and its landscapes in order. These are provided for the students’ sake and VCOM encourages students to take advantage of the campus and enjoy the atmosphere and walking paths. For safety reasons, students and employees are asked to refrain from walking on plant beds, across lawns or entering restricted areas. The pathways are provided for safety. VCOM encourages and often hosts outdoor activities that are planned. Impromptu or unplanned use of facilities for sports such as golf, volleyball, baseball, etc. are not permitted as they may have a direct and immediate impact on the safety of others or may cause damage to certain areas. Students and employees should contact Facilities if they have any questions about what sports are permitted and to request to use the grounds for said activities. Through agreements with the YMCA and the University campuses, access to sports and safe sporting facilities are available and the student should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to identify those sites. Bicycle paths also exist in all four campus communities, as well as nearby state parks for recreation. Workplace Cleanliness VCOM requires students, faculty, and staff to establish and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene across all facilities of the medical school, in research spaces, and in clinical settings. Clean and orderly workspaces are essential to creating a professional, safe, and healthy environment that supports education, research, clinical training, and patient care. All individuals are expected to maintain cleanliness in their own work areas. Desks, offices, and laboratories must be kept tidy and free of unnecessary clutter. Individuals must properly dispose of waste and promptly clean and/or disinfect spills or other accidents. All work areas must be kept free from unpleasant or persistent odors. Spaces that develop a strong or offensive smell, whether due to food, trash, mold, or any other cause, should be addressed immediately. Individuals are responsible for identifying and resolving the source when it is within their control, or for notifying Facilities if the issue requires further attention. Shared spaces such as classrooms, meeting rooms, and lounges should be left clean after use, with all materials returned to their proper place and surfaces wiped if needed. Restrooms, locker rooms, and other personal hygiene facilities must be used respectfully and kept in sanitary condition. Any issues such as leaks, supply shortages, or sanitation concerns must be reported immediately to Facilities. Laboratories and clinical spaces are held to stricter sanitation standards. All individuals working in these areas must follow established safety and infection control procedures, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment, proper cleaning of surfaces and instruments, and compliant disposal of medical or hazardous waste. Each person is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the areas they use. Personal items should be stored in a way that does not interfere with shared workspaces or pose any safety risks. Hygiene supplies such as disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and soap will be made available, and their use is strongly encouraged throughout the day, especially after shared equipment is used.

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