Arrangements
There
are many things to consider when initiating a new research project
at a field station. An individual seeking to use KBS as a
sabbatical location may need to arrange only housing and office space.
However, establishing a large research project can require arrangements
for laboratory (bench) space, use of shared equipment, access to field
sites, purchasing supplies, and housing for assistants and students.
This page summarizes and provides guidance on the most common things to
consider.
Field
Sites
Numerous
aquatic and terrestrial field sites on available for research on
KBS-owned lands. The KBS Facilities Coordinator can provide
guidance on the availability and use of specific sites on KBS lands.
Research on some KBS owned properties is coordinated by specific KBS
faculty (Pond Lab facility, LTER lands). Information on use
of those sites is available from the specific KBS web pages.
Information
on access to local, non-KBS lands (mostly public access lands and lakes)
is available from the KBS Facilities Coordinator, but in most cases a
researcher will need to contact the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources for permits and approval for
land use.
Use
of space and equipment
Based
on the information provided in the Site Use Form and discussions with
the KBS director, fees for use of laboratory and office space will be
determined. Space assignment provides access to telephone,
library, mail, photocopier, computers and other shared facilities.
There are various options for office and bench space:
-
Office space is available
in communal rooms at cubicle desks in the Academic and Stack Bldg,
which are connected to each other. Some private office space
is also available in the Stack Bldg and in the Boat House, which
also offers laboratory space for visiting researchers.
-
Bench space is available on
a limited basis in the Stack Bldg., but is more typically available
to visiting researchers in the Boat House, Pond Lab Bldg, Field Lab
Bldg. and Greenhouse. Additionally, some specialized labs in
the Academic Bldg (molecular lab, microscope labs, sample processing
lab, etc.) may be available to visitors, but require approval from
the faculty member responsible for maintaining each room.
Costs
associated with use of specialized KBS equipment vary widely
depending on the type of equipment. The KBS Facilities Coordinator
maintains a stockroom for shared equipment. Although KBS owns an
impressive amount of sophisticated instrumentation for conducting
ecological and evolutionary research, much of that equipment was
purchased on individual faculty grants and resides in resident faculty
laboratories. Requests to use a particular instrument must be
directed to the faculty member responsible for maintaining that
instrument.
Visiting
researchers should contact the KBS Facilities Coordinator for
information on what equipment and instrumentation is generally available
and to whom requests to use that equipment should be directed.
Billing/purchasing
Arrangements
Individual
P.I.s may establish credit accounts with the KBS administration to
enable the purchase of supplies from MSU Stores or other
vendors that give discounts to MSU accounts. This is typically
done in the case of individual P.I.s who have grants administered from
their home institution, but foresee needing to make purchases for
supplies while at KBS.
Mail,
Email and Computer Facilities
New
researchers to KBS are assigned mailboxes in a general mail room on
the 3rd floor Academic Building by the administrative staff. If a
P.I. brings students and assistants they will all be listed on that
box under the name of the P.I. and should have their mail addressed as
such.
KBS
has a local computer network using VAX and NT servers. Visitors
may request from the KBS Computer Manager network accounts on this
system, which also provides an email box.
Computers
for general use and general access to the internet are available in the library
and computer workroom in the Academic Bldg. If researchers have
been assigned cubicle space in one of the three communal rooms, there
are also general use computers available in those rooms. In
addition to internet browser software and telnet capability, general use
computers have Microsoft Office providing Word, Excel, Access, and
Powerpoint. In addition, some computers have graphical and
statistical software installed or available thorough the local KBS
network. Nearly all KBS computers provide access to MSU library
electronic databases. Image analysis equipment (chip cameras,
flatbed and slide scanners), are also available on selected computers.
All are networked to public, black and white or color printers. A
microcomputer lab with access to a wide array of software via the MSU
network is available in the Academic Bldg, but requires an MSU-id (pilot
account).
Photocopying
There
is a pay-as-you-go photocopier available in the library. A larger
photocopier is available in the mailroom, but use requires a KBS account
number. Researchers who foresee the need for extensive
photocopying may obtain account numbers from the administrative staff.
Housing
Housing
for short and long-term visitors is available in the form of:
-
cabins
- cheap, communal, bring your own bedding.
-
dorms
- typically dual occupancy bedroom, shared bath
-
apartment
- typically dual occupancy bedroom, kitchen, living room.
-
communal
house - get a bed, share a house.
-
rental
houses - range in size from 1-4 bedroom , some furnished, some not
- Click here for Visiting Research Faculty and Staff Rates
Details
on each of these options including costs and availability, are available
by contacting the KBS Conference Center for cabins, dorms, and
apartments (269 671-2412), or by contacting the KBS housing office for
communal and rental houses (269 671-2501). In addition, there
are apartment and other housing options available in the local community
of Richland.
Foreign
Visitors
Visitors arriving from a
foreign country may have special Visa needs. In general
requirements differ depending upon status as a student or researcher.
Full details can be found at the MSU Internationals Studies web page http://www.isp.msu.edu/.
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