Hue Nguyen

Environmental Health and Safety at the GSD

Guiding Principles

Creative work necessarily entails some amount of disorder, spontaneity, flexibility, and risk-taking , we know, but we expect some basic principles of civil behavior and environmental health and safety to prevail at all times at the GSD. The now universal smoking ban in inhabited spaces should include a broader prohibition on other forms of air pollution or toxic emissions—not only to protect the lungs, but to protect the whole respiratory system, as well as visual, auditory, olfactory, endocrine, and other fragile human systems. We expect these prohibitions to be self-evident, but also provide more detailed information below. A guiding principle: “If a material or process  is known to have unwanted environmental consequences, we should work to eliminate it from all  public spaces, such as GSD trays, classrooms, offices, bathrooms, hallways, labs, etc — even the public outside air ! And just because it doesn’t smell or feel bad to you, doesn’t mean that other members of the community don’t have a sensitivity to it.” ‘Use with Proper Ventilation‘ is a warning associated with many volatile materials, solvents, paints, adhesives, resins, etc. As a rule of thumb, at the GSD that means either outside, or in a properly employed functioning spray-booth — properly employed includes using only approved spays within the zone of evacuated air;  and functioning means turned on and operating correctly. All GSD students are expected to be familiar with the Fabrication Lab requirements, policies, and online resources regarding Material Safety, including the Hazardous Materials Policy and Guidelines, and required Web-Based Training.  Consult the Hazardous Materials Flow Chart and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all materials you intend to use at the GSD. Safety Data Sheets for materials known to be present at the GSD are retained. If you know of a material present at the GSD that does not have an SDS available here, please inform Fabrication Lab staff. Penalties for violations of safety or health-related protocols and regulations may be assessed by Fabrication Lab Staff and the office of Student Affairs.

Environmental Health Resources

The GSD’s Environmental Safety Compliance Officer (ESCO) is Ben Szalewicz, Chief for Facilities & Campus Operations, in the Facilities and Campus Operations department. Harvard’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) department provides support, guidance, and resources to assist the schools/department with compliance with Federal EPA, OSHA, and Massachusetts regulatory agencies. The Designated Safety Officer for the GSD is Marcus Carson. Rachel Vroman, Director of the GSD Fabrication Laboratory, oversees materials and processes approved for in use in the Fabrication Lab. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns. The Safe Technologies, Environments, and Processes (STEP) Taskforce is a group of GSD students and staff dedicated to advocating for safe technologies, environments, and processes. For more information, contact the STEP Taskforce by email.

FAQs

Where can I get more information on Environmental Health and Safety at the GSD / Harvard?

See the links to resources above.

What should I do if I have health/safety questions about a particular material or process?

Try to get a Safety Data Sheet for the material. Consult with a Fabrication Lab staff member.

What should I do if I observe a dangerous situation or behavior?

See GSD resource page: Emergencies. 

What kinds of monitoring and remediation does the GSD / Harvard do?

Harvard’s EH&S organization routinely monitors air quality and other conditions at the GSD, especially in the Fabrication Lab. EH&S conducts annual inspections of the GSD facilities. Copies of reports and recommendations are available for review with the ESCO.

What  is the STEP Task Force?

In April 2018 a small group of GSD staff and students formed the “Safe Technologies and Processes” (STEP) Task Force, and set about thinking about and planning for ways to reduce risks and environmental ill-effects of design- and fabrication- related materials and processes, and to increase communications and awareness among the GSD community. For more information, or with questions, or comments please contact the STEP Taskforce by email.

 Q&A (PDF) posted Fall 2018  in response to student questions about Air Quality monitoring efforts and measurements  @ GSD.

Chauhaus

Key Requests

To Request a Key

If you are a student or staff, please check with your academic department first. Those authorized to request keys for their department must start by filling out a Work Order Request Form. The following information is required:

• A Harvard ID number
• A non-GSD Email address
• A non-GSD phone number
• Whether the key is permanent or temporary, and if temporary, the duration the key will be needed
• The specific doors for which the key should allow access
• Authorization from the department head

You will receive an email when your key is ready for pickup. Keys may be picked up Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays by appointment.

To Return a Key

Please return your key directly to Building Services in Gund L30.

Switching Keys

Keys should never be given to or swapped with another GSD community member without following the proper procedures for returning and requesting keys. Until a key has been properly returned to Building Services, the original key holder is considered responsible for that key. If you have a question regarding keys, please contact Barry Harper in Building Services.

Recycling, Freecycling and Composting

GSD has recycling, freecycling and composting opportunities throughout campus.

Cafeteria

The Chauhaus is the first cafeteria on campus to incorporate composting. It utilizes compostable utensils, cups and plates and uses single stream recycling.

Fabrication Labs

The woodshop has recycling for wood, plastic, paper, and styrofoam.

Events

Any event held on campus is zero waste with compostable and recycling bins instead of trash cans. Commencement 2011 and Commencement 2012 were both no waste events using 100% compostable materials.

Things that can be recycled:

• Bins can be found throughout campus to dispose of E-Waste such as cell phones, batteries, etc.
• Harvard Recycling sends phones out for reuse with the help of special needs students of high school age from the LABBB program.

   

Capital Improvements and Projects

2024 Capital Projects & Improvements

Undertray Lighting Upgrade Replacement of the undertray lighting on all levels with new high efficiency LED lighting. GSD Representative: Hue Nguyen, Marla Greenman Consultants: Darlow Christ Architects Contractors: Berkley Building Company     Gund Hall Envelope Improvements Gund Hall’s north, south, east, and clerestory elevations were replaced with high-performing hybrid vacuum insulated glass and triple glazing. These upgrades will improve comfort through thermal performance. The new glazing system will increase access to daylight and decrease energy expenditure, air and water infiltration, and operational costs. Additionally, the project addressed important accessibility issues at the terraces. GSD Representative: Hue Nguyen, Marla Greenman Consultants: Bruner Cott & Associates Inc. Contractors: Shawmut Design and Construction

Parking

Several streets around Harvard Square have metered parking (for 2 hours, 1 hour, or 30 minutes). Un-metered spots are generally restricted to Cambridge residents with valid resident parking stickers only. However, metered spots can be hard to come by. You may want to consider leaving your car elsewhere and taking public transportation .

Parking in front of Gund Hall is for service vehicles only.  Any vehicle parked there will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Obtaining a Parking Permit

Faculty, staff, and invited guests of the GSD may obtain a parking permit for one of Harvard’s lots or garages.  Please contact the Harvard Transportation Services Parking Office for more information.

Parking at the following garages is restricted to those who have obtained permits:

• Everett Street Garage, corner of Everett Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
• Broadway Garage, corner of Broadway and Felton Streets.
• 38 Oxford Street Lot, entrance just east of Everett and Oxford Streets.
• William James Parking, 33 Kirkland St.
• Cruft Building Exterior Parking Lot, 19A Oxford St.

Commercial Parking Facilities

There are three commercial lots in the Harvard Square area:

• Harvard Square Parking Garage, corner of JFK and Elliot Streets,(617) 354-4168.
• Fitz-Inn Auto Park, on Church Street, (617) 482-7740.
• Charles Square Garage, 5 Bennett Street, (617) 491-0298. You may call ahead to see if there is space available.

Security

Our security program includes: key access protocols, uniformed security, card access, lighting, vendor screening, trespass notices at main entrances, HUPD, and Building Services strategic and day-to-day role. Emergency Numbers: FIRE, POLICE & MEDICAL (911) HUPD (617) 495-1212 Securitas Security Inc. is the security provider for the GSD. The school is staffed by a security guard 24/7 during the Academic Year and Summer Term. GSD On-Site Security: 617-874-6954 During non-business hours access to Gund Hall is limited to GSD students, faculty and staff with current identification. Faculty, staff and students may bring a visitor into the GSD during non-business hours. Visitors not accompanied by faculty, staff or students shall be limited to the library, Piper Auditorium and the exhibit area in the lobby. During the summer the GSD closes for students at 12AM. The GSD uses a card access system on the three main exterior doors of Gund Hall and the main entrance of 7 Sumner Road. These card access units allow any current GSD student, faculty or staff member to gain access to Gund Hall 24 hours a day, and staff, faculty and students housed at 7 Sumner Road access to this building 24 hours a day (Note: In the summer, faculty and staff can access the GSD 24 hours a day but student IDs will only allow entry until 12AM).  Individuals use their valid Havard ID cards to gain access.

Emergency Contact Information

Security
On-Site GSD Security Guard	(617) 874-6954
Roving Areaa Security Supervisor:	(617) 496-9370
Harvard University Police Department
Emergencies:	(617) 495-1212
Non-Emergencies:	(617) 495-1215

Studio Electricity

Receptacles are located under the reference tables. Tan receptacles are for general use and gray receptacles are for computers and peripherals only. If you are aware of something in need of maintenance or have a Facilities/Building Services-related request at any of the GSD properties, you may submit a work order via the Work Order Request Form at any time, including off hours (5:00PM – 9:00AM). Be sure to include the exact location of the issue, as well as your contact information on the form. (Note: Your workstation number is located on the outer part of your desk facing the aisle in white adhesive, made up of a number, a letter, and another number). In the case of an emergency contact the Harvard Operations Center, 617-495-5560 (state your name, building location and nature of emergency).

Heating/Cooling Schedule

Teaching Spaces Monday-Friday 9:00AM-6:00PM, during academic periods. Can be scheduled for additional hours on special request. Offices Faculty and Staff:  Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM MDES, DDES and PHD:  Every Day, 9:00AM – 9:00PM Studio Every Day, 9:00AM – 11:00PM Extended schedule during fall semester reviews. For one week before, as well as during final reviews, the studio mechanical systems will remain on until 2AM. Heating/Cooling Season Changeover Mechanical system design limits the ability to have simultaneous heating and cooling. During May and October weather conditions can limit the ability to keep Gund Hall comfortable. Example: 60 degrees and sunny can cause the studio to overheat without cooling. Yet, these conditions require heat for offices. For all heating and cooling concerns call (617) 495-2514 or email Ben Szalewicz, Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM. If you are aware of something in need of maintenance or have a Facilities related request at any of the GSD properties, you may submit a work order via the Work Order Request Form at any time, including off hours (5:00PM – 9:00AM). Be sure to include the exact location of the issue, as well as your contact information on the form. (Note: Your studio desk number is located on the outer part of your desk facing the aisle in white adhesive, made up of a number, a letter, and another number). In the case of an emergency contact the Harvard Operations Center, 617-495-5560 (state your name, building location and nature of emergency).