RESIDENT
PARTICIPATION
Students
selected for participation in the ten-week summer session
of the Research Training Program are expected to be in-residence
at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
in Washington, DC throughout the advertised dates, including
50* days of participation unless otherwise noted and approved,
in writing, by the Program Director.
* The Federal Holiday celebrating US Independence Day, "Fourth
of July," is always a holiday free from formal curriculum
activity.
WORK
HOURS
Students
selected for participation in Research Training Program
opportunities are generally granted unlimited access to
the NMNH facilities. Individual work hours and days often
vary depending on the nature and timing of activities.
To be available for official curriculum activities, participants
are expected to be in attendance during the official hours
of 8:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday unless
otherwise directed by the Project Advisor and approved,
in writing, by the Program Director.
PROGRAM
EVENTS
Participants
are expected to attend, and participate in, all scheduled
RTP events including meetings, lectures, discussions, and
tours. A written, valid and approved, excuse must be provided
for any absences or tardiness.
SAFETY
AND SECURITY
All
participants in Research Training Program opportunities
must adhere to Museum and/or collections regulations and
procedures including safety and security. Written guidelines
will be distributed upon arrival. In addition, a Smithsonian
security officer will provide a personal briefing to ensure
understanding and compliance.
We
especially remind students that the museum collections are
secure locations. Visitors and guests are not permitted
"behind-the-scenes" without prior approval.
Through
participation in the RTP, students gain access to many valuable,
fragile and scientifically important collections. Although
we understand the excitement and desire to share these discoveries,
visitors and guests (including program participants) must
contact the collections manager for prior approval before
entering any area outside of their own responsibility.
PROTOCOL
Students
are expected to conduct the pre-approved research project
according to the sequence of priorities outlined by the
Project Advisor and approved by the Program Director.
SMITHSONIAN
POLICIES
Participants
in RTP opportunities are expected to follow the Smithsonian
procedure for registration and exit. This procedure includes
paying outstanding debts owed to the Smithsonian (such as
paying photocopy and fax charges, and charges for lost or
damaged materials, etc.). Exiting also entails cleaning
the work space and desk area, returning all borrowed materials,
completing appropriate information and evaluation forms,
participating in exit clearance meetings, and leaving the
project (and any additional projects) in a "completed" condition.
If
the project can not be completed during the duration of
the appointment, the student must have permission from the
project advisor to abandon or continue the project. Clear
information about the status and condition of abandoned
or continuing projects must be provided prior to exit.
SICK
LEAVE AND ABSENCES
Students
participating in RTP opportunities do not earn sick or annual
leave privileges.
Students
participating in the ten-week summer session of the RTP
must compensate for all lost time, including time lost due
to illness, injury, or other absence.
Project
hours lost and RTP events missed, regardless of cause, must
be made up during the ten-week appointment (e.g. during
evenings or weekends). Although it is understood that most
lectures and discussions can not be repeated, participants
who miss activities will be required to participate in complementary
activities equivalent to the lost activity.
In
the event of serious injury or extended illness, the Program
Director must be contacted immediately. Compensation for
extended lost time may require partial or total forfeit
of stipend or postponement or termination of Program participation.
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