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About The Campus - Campus Specific Policies
Educational Facilities Description
The Ponce Health Sciences University campus in St. Louis, Missouri, is at 2351 Market St. The campus is 56,743 square feet and includes classrooms, labs, study space, a library, a recreational area, and administrative space. Each floor features restrooms and water fountains (with bottle fillers); this includes two unisex restrooms on the ground floor. Students can access the building Monday through Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. A security officer is present during these times, and the building is equipped with security cameras throughout the interior and on the exterior of the building. Parking is available for the students within two blocks of the building.
1st Floor
On the first floor of the university, the Enrollment Management and Student Services section offers amenities tailored to student needs. It provides four private meeting spaces for student consultations regarding admissions or financial aid, alongside ample work and office space for staff members. Adjacent to this area are two lecture halls, each accommodating up to 100 students and featuring advanced technology like 98” screens and touchscreen computers for interactive teaching. The space is versatile, with a movable wall allowing for more significant campus events. Additionally, the recreation area offers a micro market stocked with food and drink options, along with microwave facilities, a refrigerator, and a coffee machine. Recreation options include gaming facilities and direct access to a furnished patio for student relaxation. Lastly, the administrative area houses Zoom rooms for virtual classes, administrative offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, workstations, a mother’s room, and a dedicated employee break room.
Ground Floor
On the ground floor of the university, several key areas serve different purposes. The Science Laboratories encompass a Microbiology lab and an Anatomy lab. Adjacent to the Science Laboratories is the Nursing Laboratories, specifically the Clinical Simulation Lab, offering spaces for simulated patient encounters, examination, and debriefing. Lastly, the Wellness Center provides counseling and physical health services to support students while on campus
Science Laboratories
The Microbiology lab has a teacher’s station and 6 custom micro tables (one ADA table) with sinks, burners, and microscopes that hold four students each. It also includes counter space, sinks, and storage. The micro prep area is separate, with counters, sinks, an autoclave, an incubator, and a biosafety cabinet.
The Anatomy lab has seven anatomy tables, a teaching table, double sinks, counter space, and storage. The anatomy prep area is directly attached and houses the cadaver refrigerator (holds 8) and a materials cabinet. Instructors can enhance their instruction using the camera and screens in the room.
Simulation Laboratories
The Clinical Simulation Lab comprises a reception and patient waiting area, a designated space for students to wait, three examination rooms, and a unisex restroom. Equipped with high-fidelity interactive patient simulation mannequins, the lab facilitates the practice of nursing skills within ample space for student-faculty interactions. Each of the six simulation rooms is outfitted with video and audio recording and playback systems to capture students’ patient encounters. Subsequently, students transition to the Debriefing area post-simulation, where they engage in reflection, discussion, and feedback sessions.
Wellness Center
The Student Wellness Center holds both counseling and physical health facilities. It includes three counseling rooms, a unisex restroom, two physical exam rooms, and two offices. PHSU partners with Mercy to provide physical health services to students. Students can visit a nurse practitioner on campus, Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PHSU has one full-time counselor and a part-time counselor available.
2nd Floor
On the second floor of the university, a dedicated study space offers a blend of open areas and private study rooms that students can reserve as needed. Equipped with powered study tables and soft seating, students can charge their devices while they work, and access to a printer/copier is available for their convenience. Additionally, this area includes a Student Success meeting room and an Inter-Faith Prayer room to accommodate various student needs. Adjacent to the study space is the library, staffed by a full-time librarian who provides assistance to students. Throughout the year, the librarian organizes student programming on diverse topics. The library utilizes an online catalog, OpenAthens, for all textbooks and offers access to databases like EBSCO for articles and research. Moreover, students have on-site access to all books and materials stored within the library.
Campus Specific Policies
Students are expected to treat the campus, its furnishings, fixtures, and technology with respect. Students who remove any of these items, deface, or destroy campus property will be subject to disciplinary action.
The safety and security of our campus community is of the utmost importance to the administration. Students should not prop open exits or open doors for anyone. If someone has forgotten their access badge or is having trouble accessing the building, students should contact security or the Campus Director.
BUILDING HOURS
Student access to the campus will be Monday through Sunday, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. During normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., students will have access to all public spaces, i.e. classrooms, lecture halls, labs, administrative area, etc. During all other times, students will only have access to the rec area, open study spaces, and the library. The campus will be closed on certain holidays and the institution reserves the right to alter these times for any reason. Student Services or the Campus Director will notify students of any changes to these hours.
All entry doors will have key card and PIN access. Security will be present from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
If you have any issues with accessing rooms, please contact the on-duty security officer.
CAMPUS AREAS
PARKING
Students should park in the designated PHSU parking lot, Market St., east of Marriot parking lot. Students will receive a parking sticker which should be displayed on the right-hand side of the rear window.
Use of the handicap parking spots requires the vehicle to have a valid state-issued hangtag or license plate. All others parking in a handicap parking spot are subject to fines.
The university will not be held responsible for any consequences or actions taken because a student chooses to park in a lot not designated as PHSU parking.
STUDENT RECREATION AREA
We are happy to have a student rec area which features a mini market, games, and a kitchen area. Students should keep their noise to a reasonable level when using this area. as there will be classes or studying going on in the surrounding areas.
Students are also responsible for keeping the kitchen area clean, including taking care of any messes on the counter, around the sink, in the refrigerator, or the microwave.
The mini market is based on an honor system, Students are required to pay for any items taken from the mini market. Any student caught taking merchandise from the market without paying will be subject to disciplinary action.
PATIO
The patio is an outdoor area for the campus community. Students should not prop open the door for easy access to the rec area or allow any one from outside of the university onto campus.
Part of the patio furniture is a fire pit. Students are able to use the fire pit, but it is under the oversight of the Campus Director when it is available for use.
LIBRARY
The library will be open to students during all building hours. Students that need access to the library collection will need to speak with the librarian. The library is considered a quiet area during all open hours.
RESTROOMS/MOTHER’S ROOM
As with all campus facilities, restrooms should be treated with respect and students should clean up after themselves. There are men’s and women’s restrooms located on all floors. On the ground floor, there are two unisex restrooms, one of which includes a shower. Students should provide their own shower accessories, including shampoo, conditioner, soap, and towel. It is recommended that anyone using the shower wear sandals or flip flops. In emergency situations, the campus can provide toiletries and towels. Please contact the Director of Student Success or the Campus Director to access these emergency supplies. Any student that needs to utilize the mother’s (Nursing) room, should contact the Campus Director for access.
LABS
Students will not have access to the Micro, Standardized Patient or SIM lab without supervision of faculty or campus personnel.
PHSU GROSS ANATOMY LABORATORY ACCESS POLICY
Access to the Laboratory must always be authorized by the Anatomy Department. The lab will be open Working Hours from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday: Everyone Must “Sign-In” at the Anatomy Department Office. After Hours/Weekend Access: MD and MSMS students will be able to access facilities using their access card issued at the beginning of the Academic year. After hours are Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Students are responsible for the proper use of the facilities. Laboratory Access will NOT be granted while students are scheduled to attend other lectures/courses. ONLY authorized MD and MSMS students may gain entrance to the laboratory and MUST have prior approval from the anatomy staff/faculty/chairperson.
LABORATORY RULES
- It is expected that all individuals behave in a professional manner while in the laboratory and always maintain proper respect for the human dissection material, including skeletons. This professional attitude is also expected outside the laboratory, especially when discussing anatomy in public places.
- DO NOT PLAY MUSIC IN THE GROSS LAB.
- SMOKING, EATING, DRINKING ARE PROHIBITED IN THE LABORATORY.
- Photographs and/or video may NOT be taken in the laboratory unless taken by instructors.
- Only MD and MSMS students are allowed into the lab, and they must sign in before entering the laboratory to view or dissect cadaver materials. They MUST also sign out before leaving the lab. The sign in and sign out forms are available on the entry doors to the lab.
- Under NO circumstances may human cadaver material be removed from the laboratory.
- All cadaver material MUST remain in the dissection table unless you are instructed otherwise.
- It is the responsibility of each student to keep their work area as clean and neat as possible.
- All rules remain in effect after scheduled lab hours.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Laboratory Environment
The laboratory is to be maintained in a clean and orderly manner so that it remains as safe and pleasant as possible over the course of the year. Several characteristics of the lab environment that cannot be altered are cadaver odors, embalming fluid, and preservative fluid.
- Cadaver Odors. All regions of the body contain fat, which has a perceptible odor. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal tract holds food in various stages of digestion, which may create an odor. These odors are not harmful but might seem so because they are disagreeable.
- Embalming Fluid. The fluid is used to fix the tissues of the cadaver and kill any microorgan- isms. The PHSU embalming fluid contains the following chemicals: formalin, phenol [carbolic acid], glycerol, ethanol, and water. This is a standard formula used in most medical schools. You should be aware of the function, hazard, and, if applicable, the protection against each of these components.
- Formalin is a solution of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used commercially in a wide va- riety of products, including shampoo and composition board; those of you planning to go into pathology will be exposed to it almost every day. Humans experience a varied response to formaldehyde, ranging from no reaction to systemic reactions. Since formaldehyde is highly soluble in water, it does not reach the lungs when inhaled, but is instead trapped in the upper respiratory tract.
- Phenol (carbolic acid) is used as a germicidal agent; you may know that Joseph Lister first used carbolic acid successfully as an antiseptic in surgery and in the treatment of wounds. Phenol has an extremely low vapor pressure, so is present in only minute quantities in the lab air. However, it can be absorbed through the skin, so protect your hands with barrier cream and gloves.
- Glycerol, or glycerin, is a polysaccharide used to help keep the joints of the cadaver flexible.
- Alcohol is used as a germicidal preservative. It is extremely volatile, and therefore present in the lab air. It may dehydrate the skin after prolonged contact and may cause up- per respiratory tract irritation. Use barrier cream, and gloves to help reduce exposure.
- Preservative Fluid. This fluid is used to keep the body tissues moist so the cadaver will not dry out. Drying of the cadaver can be a serious problem in the lab and care should be maintained throughout the course to minimize this as much as possible by using the preservative fluid.
RULES TO MINIMIZE HAZARDS
- Gloves are to be always worn during the dissection of the cadaver. It should be noted that some individuals are allergic to latex and/or powdered gloves. If you have a known sensitivity to latex/ powder or develop an allergic response to latex/powder, you should wear non-latex/powder-less gloves. Dispose of gloves in the biohazard containers only. Do not take gloves outside the lab nor dispose of them in the restroom or trash containers.
- Contact lenses are prohibited in the Gross Anatomy Lab since they may absorb the chemicals used in the lab. Safety glasses are optional. They prevent eye exposure to chemicals and splashes in the lab. Students are to provide their own safety glasses.
- Shoes must cover the whole foot; therefore open-toed/top vented shoes are PROHIBITED.
- Eye washes are in the lab. Take the time to locate them when you enter the lab for the first time so that you can easily locate them in an emergency.
- Scalpel blades must be handled with care and disposed of only in the “red rectangular recepta- cles” placed in the lab for this purpose. They are labeled as “Biohazard waste SHARP-TAINER”. Report any injuries to a member of the staff. A first aid kit is in the lab.
- Dissection tools must NOT be left loose on the table. They should be washed and placed to dry on paper towels at the end of each lab period.
- Remove excess fluids from the table. Make sure the floor around your dissecting table is free of fluid and tissue. Dispose of excess fluid in laboratory sinks.
- All cadaver material MUST remain in the dissection table unless you are instructed otherwise.
- Avoid dropping tissue fragments on the floor, as they will damage the floor, and may be a safety hazard. Use the bins under your table to collect them, and as soon as lab is over, empty the bins into the proper trash labeled as “Biohazard”. Dispose of the paper in the trash labeled as “papers”.
- Biohazard (tissue) material is disposed regularly by the embalmer, so do not mix discarded tissues with paper. Major organs, limbs, etc.; should be kept with the rest of the cadaver to be buried at the end of the academic year.
- White Lab coats are a must for the lab. Wear them at all times in the laboratory. Write your name or use an ID card in the front pocket, which will help the lab instructors to learn your name and prevent the “loss” of lab coats when they are left around the lab. Wash your coats regularly; dirty lab coats carry mold around the room and your house.
- Visitors are prohibited. This includes medical students from other institutions. Enter and leave the laboratory via one entrance door which may be kept partially open. Make sure the second door is closed during dissecting time. All doors should be locked at the end of the day. Except for custodians, the only individuals allowed in the laboratory are those authorized by the Director of the Anatomical Sciences Course and the Assistant Dean, School of Medicine, and laboratory instructors.
ILLNESS
- Should you experience illness despite the protective measures outlined above, or you have a known sensitivity to any fluid component, or you have an existing condition that you feel may be exacerbated by the lab environment, contact the Course Coordinator/Course Director immediately to discuss the problem.
- If you sustain a wound while dissecting, it should be reported to the anatomy staff. The wound should be washed thoroughly and bandaged. Bandages and dressing are available in the labora- tory in the labeled drawers in the lab. If the wound is serious, the student should be taken to the Emergency Room for medical attention.
PREGNANCY
Students who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the course, MUST contact the Course Coordinator.
*Note: The presence of phenols and formaldehydes has been reported to be hazardous to pregnant persons and their fetus. If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant you need to consult your physician.
EMOTIONAL CONCERNS
Emotional adjustment to cadaver dissection is a normal process experienced by all medical students. Should you encounter difficulties making this adjustment please contact the Course Coordinator/ Course Director.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Cadavers will be set on the first day of lab and shared by at least seven (7) students.
- After each dissection and/or lab period:
- Moisten specimen and towels (do not soak) with Moistening Solution
- Moistening Solution: combine in Spray Bottle 50:50
- Embalming fluid: five-gallon jug at the back of the lab
- Fabric softener: Snuggle/Downy
- Cover specimen with towels tucking it in at all sides and close the plastic cover.
- Do not allow the cadaver to dry. Moisten your cadaver!
- Periodically inspect the cadaver for fungus growth. This growth occurs often and should be reported to the faculty so that measures can be taken to eliminate it.
- The use of the white coat is strictly restricted for use inside the laboratory.
LOCKERS
Students can check out a locker for one semester. They will need to complete a locker use agreement and submit it to the Student Success Officer. The Office Operations Partner will issue the key for the locker. Students are responsible for keeping the interior of the locker clean and will need to clean it out and have a staff member sign off before returning the locker at the end of the semester.
If a student loses the locker key, please see the Office Operations Partner. Students that lose more than one key during a semester, violate the locker agreement, or do not maintain a sanitary locker will be subject to disciplinary action, including a fine or loss of semester long locker privileges.
PETS
No pets are permitted on the university campus. On occasion, a stray pet will be found roaming the campus. For safety reasons, please do not feed the animal or touch it. Please notify security or the Campus Director regarding any stray animals. Only service animals are allowed on campus.
Please refer to the Service Animal Guidelines. Any student that brings an animal on campus will be asked to leave and will face disciplinary action.
CAMPUS GUESTS
PHSU understands that students will want to bring guests to campus at times. Students are asked to bring no more than two guests onto campus at a time. Any student wishing to bring more than two guests needs to request special permission from the Campus Director. All guests to campus are expected to adhere to applicable University safety protocols that are in place at the time they visit campus. These may include protocols regarding masking and other expected community behaviors. It is the hosts’ responsibility to convey the current expectations to guests they invite to campus. All guests will be required to sign in at the front desk and will need to wear a visitor’s badge. Guests are not allowed to use group study rooms, computers, or printers. Additionally, guests understand that their usage of campus facilities, including but not limited to video games, kitchen area, etc. should not hinder usage by a PHSU student. Visitors must also be familiar with and adhere to any current campus health and safety guidelines. Students that bring guests understand that any guest that does not follow policies or conducts themselves in an unprofessional manner will be asked to leave. If a guest causes any damage while on campus, the student can be held financially responsible.
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