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Harrison Randall Laboratory
Harrison Randall Laboratory
The Physics Department has been located in Randall Lab for nearly 100 years; faculty, researchers, staff, and students also occupy space in West Hall (connected to Randall by a second floor footbridge). Randall Lab, which opened for use in 1924, was remodeled in 1995 and had a new wing (closest to the Diag) added at that time. The original structure, which faces Church Street, is often referred within the department as “Old Randall.” The 1995 addition has been officially named the Homer Neal Lab, but is still often referred to as “New Randall.”
Our Address
Department of Physics
University of Michigan
450 Church Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040
Department Leadership Contacts
Lu LiInterim Department Chairphysicschair@umich.edu
Dragan HutererAssociate Chair of Graduate Studieshuterer@umich.edu
Hui DengAssociate Chair for Research and Facilitiesdengh@umich.edu
Chris GaleChief Administratorphysicsca@umich.edu
Kaydee SzustStudent Services Managerphysics-ssm@umich.edu
Cory SteinerGraduate Program Coordinatorphysics.sso@umich.edu
Chelsea RauppUndergraduate Program Coordinatorphysics.sso@umich.edu
Hannah SchmuckerIntroductory Course Coordinatorphysics.sso@umich.edu
The Physics Student Services Office (SSO) is located in 1440 Randall Lab. We are open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm (or 8am-4pm in the summer). We are here to assist students through the ups and downs of their programs, but we also really love it when you just stop by to say hi and tell us about your day. We look forward to seeing you!
Additional Helpful Contacts
Additional Helpful Contacts
Facilities - 1427 Randall Lab
Paul Thurmond, Building Manager (physics.facilities@umich.edu)
Heather Wolfe, Facilities Assistant (physics.facilities@umich.edu)
Chair’s Office - 2484 Randall Lab
Carol Rabuck, Marketing, Communications & Development (crabuck@umich.edu)
Samantha Nielsen, Assistant to the Chair (physics.executiveassistant@umich.edu)
Instructional Lab Support
Intro Lab Faculty Coordinators
Wolfgang Lorenzon, General Physics (lorenzon@umich.edu)
Dante Amidei, Life Sciences (amidei@umich.edu)
Introductory Labs - 1241 Randall
Michelle Coeman, Manager (mjlove@umich.edu)
Benjamin Schmitz, Lab Technician (benjschm@umich.edu)
Advanced Labs - 4268 Randall
Ramon Torres-Isea, Manager (rtorres@umich.edu)
Demo Lab - 78 Weiser Hall
Monika Wood, Manager (monikak@umich.edu)
Conor Heaney (heaney@umich.edu)
Nicholas Arnold, Technician (nwarnold@umich.edu)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Contacts
Leo Pando Zayas, DEI Committee Chair (lpandoz@umich.edu)
Evan Petrosky, DEI GSSA (physics-deigssa@umich.edu)
Facilities Information
Facilities Information
Emergency Procedures
Emergency Procedures
In any life threatening, emergency situation, CALL 911. For non emergency assistance from DPSS call 734-763-1131.
UMPD: The University of Michigan Police Department is a full-service community-orientated law enforcement agency dedicated to promoting a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. UMPD officers are licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and have full authority to investigate, search, arrest and use reasonable force, if necessary, to protect people and property under Michigan law and the UM Regents’ Ordinance.
DPSS: Division of Public Safety and Security at the University of Michigan offers a variety of services to the UM community, including UMPD. From responding to calls and providing event security, fingerprinting, and ride-alongs, their comprehensive services help you study, work and live in a safer and more secure campus environment.
It is recommended that you sign up for UM’s Emergency Preparedness Alert System. You can sign up here. You will receive notifications on a large variety of public health or safety matters the university feels everyone should be aware of (i.e. gas leaks, fires, floods, active shooters, tornados, or power outages).
DPSS has a website with safety tips for all members of the UM community. It is recommended that you read through the content so you are aware of different procedures or resources on campus for maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
Building Procedures
Randall Lab and West Hall are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The buildings are locked and accessible via MCard overnight and on the weekends. Please do not let in anyone loitering outside during the locked hours. You can call DPSS if you see any suspicious people or activities in the building.
We occasionally have fire drills within the building, but sometimes there is genuine smoke or fire that has triggered the alarms. The fire alarms sounding should always be taken seriously. You should exit the building immediately, closing the doors behind you and encouraging others to leave as you pass them on the way out. A fire marshal or firefighters should arrive on the scene shortly after alarms are triggered and will be able to instruct you on what to do and when it would be safe to re-enter the building. Until you receive their instruction, maintain a safe distance from the building.
Tornados do sometimes occur within our area of the state; they are rare, but it is important that you follow emergency procedures during a tornado warning. If you receive a text alert or hear the tornado sirens, shelter can be taken in the Randall Lab Basement or Sub Basement. If possible, you should use the stairs and avoid elevators. You will receive a text alert or the sirens will sound again when an all clear is issued and you can return to your labs/offices. Please note that the tornado sirens are tested in the city of Ann Arbor the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00 PM. Washtenaw County sirens are tested the first Saturday of the month at 12:00 PM March through September.
Mail and Packages
Students will be assigned a mailbox for receiving campus mail. Student mail boxes are located on the second floor of Randall, between the bridge to West Hall and the stairwell. Packages can be received and picked up in 1425 Randall Lab. If you need assistance in mailing anything from campus, Heather Wolfe, the Facilities Assistant, is available to help you. Students should not use the Physics address for personal mail/packages.
Department Room Reservations
Physics Student Services handles room reservations for the rooms noted below. Email physics.sso@umich.edu to make room reservations or inquire about other rooms in West Hall or Randall.
340 West Hall
337 West Hall
335 West Hall (Don Meyer Commons)
Randall Lab “Fishbowl” Conference Rooms (2246, 3246, 4246)
When requesting a space, note the day/time it will be needed, what the room is being used for (i.e. title of the event), and whether this is a one-time or repeating reservation. Please allow up to 2 business days for your room request to be processed. SSO can assist with reserving other spaces on campus for non-curricular needs. Please email physics.sso@umich.edu to request help.
Physics Shops
The Scientific Instrument Shop and Electronics Shop are located in the basement of Randall Lab. The Machine Shops have resources to devote to the creation of scientific experiments, from tiny nanotechnology to 30 foot D-zero detectors. The Instrument Shop is located in B464A Randall Lab. The Student Shop is located in B481 Randall Lab.
Department Office Space
Shared office space will be provided to you by the Physics Department in your first year of study. In your second year and beyond, you will typically be assigned office space by your faculty advisor. Beginning in your second year, if you do not have an advisor or your advisor does not have office space for you, please speak with the Graduate Program Coordinator. Department assigned student offices are typically on the first floor of Randall Lab. You and your office mates are responsible for keeping your office space clean. Physics Student Services will supply you with chalk and/or white board markers and a few additional office supplies upon request.
As a first year student, you will receive your office assignment during the summer prior to entering your first year in the program. You will receive instructions regarding when you can move into your office (late August) and when you will need to vacate (early July). The Graduate Program Coordinator will ensure you have a key request form for any department assigned office space. If you have an advisor assigned office, they will work with our Facilities Team to get keys for you. See "Building Keys" below on this page.
Lab Safety Training
If you will be working with a faculty member who has a lab, you will need to complete a MyLinc lab safety module (EHSBLS025W - Chemical Laboratory Safety Training). Upon completion of this module, you will need to print your certificate of completion and email it to the Physics Facilities team (physics.facilities@umich.edu) who will then be able to issue your key request. If you are working with a faculty member who has a laser lab, you will need to complete one additional MyLinc module (BLS005W) and a separate online training module (TIER-1Laser Safety). Upon assignment to a lab, Physics Facilities will email you regarding this training and provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete it. Please speak with Heather Wolfe, the Facilities Assistant, if you have any questions.
Maintenance Concerns
If you discover a non-emergency building maintenance issue (i.e. broken lock, burned out light, cracked floor tiles), please report it to our Facilities Team in 1427 Randall Lab or email physics.facilities@umich.edu.
For urgent but non-emergency issues (i.e. leaking pipe, wildlife found inside the building, elevator problems) report it to our Facilities Team if during their regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If outside of their business hours, call Plant Operations at 734-647-2059.
For all emergency building issues (i.e. fire), call 911.
Building Keys
Building Keys
All key requests must be initiated by a faculty or staff member; they cannot be initiated by a student. An email should be sent to physics.facilities@umich.edu by the faculty/staff member specifying what individual should receive the key and to what room(s). Note: Full names and uniqnames are always appreciated because of name similarities within the university. If the key is for an office space, no other information is required. The Facilities team will notify the individual when their key request form is ready to be picked up. If the request is for a lab space, Facilities will require that the individual complete lab safety training and laser training (if applicable) before key requests are granted. Once Facilities receives their certificates of completion on the trainings, the individual will be granted their key request form.
Key request forms can be picked up from 1425 or 1427 Randall (our Facilities offices). Please bring your Mcard to verify your identity. You will take the key request slip to the UM Key Office, which is located on the first floor of the Church Street Parking Structure. Each key will require a $5 deposit; the Key Office only accepts cash. The Key Office has unique hours of operation, so it recommended to check their website before going to pick up your key.
If you lose a key, the process must be completed once more.
If you get locked out of your office/lab during normal Facilities hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm), you can ask a member of the Facilities team to let you in. If it is outside of these times, you should contact DPSS at (734) 763-1131.
If you no longer need a key, you can return it to the Key Office and receive your $5 deposit back. Try to keep the receipt from when you originally acquired the key because this will be required to receive your deposit.
If you find a lost key/set of keys, please hand them in to either Physics Student Services or our Facilities Team.
Department Mandatory Reporters
Many UM staff and some faculty are considered Campus Security Authorities (CSA) by the Clery Act and are required to report incidents in compliance with the Clery Act and the University of Michigan’s Sexual Misconduct and Non-Discrimination, Harassment, Violence policies. All department leadership are considered mandatory reporters. If you wish to talk to someone who is not a mandatory reporter, you can consider the Physics Graduate Coordinator or the Physics DEI GSSA.
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