I've seen several messages on this list either seeking a physics lab
director or otherwise discoursing about the position. We aren't large
enough at our two-year college to have a lab director for each
science discipline, so we have one lab staff for all the sciences we
teach - astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental technology,
geology, physical science, and physics.
I would like to hear from those in a similar situation. How does your
lab staff cope across such a broad front? What are the
responsibilities of the staff and its director? How does your lab
staff maintain dialog with the faculty? Is your lab staff responsible
for lecture demo equipment or only for lab equipment? Is there an
internet forum (listserv or other) for college science lab directors?
We're trying to improve the organization, efficiency, and service to
the faculty of our lab staff. I would appreciate any advice from
those having more experience in this field.
Paul O. Johnson
Collin County Community College
Plano, Texas