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NWE: Lab Assistant Duties

Lab assistants work evening and weekend hours to provide extra access and help to students in the NWE. Lab assistants are very important since they are often the first point of contact with the NWE system staff. In many ways, lab assistants represent the entire NWE. Please keep this in mind when on duty -- your job as "NWE diplomat" is crucial.

General Duties

  • Assisting students with basic NWE-related computer skills
  • Assisting instructors with A/V and computer equipment
  • Notifying supervisor of hardware & software problems
  • Being in the building and logged in for the entire length of assigned shift
  • Regularly checking and responding to email
  • Arranging in advance for shift coverage over vacations, etc.
  • Contacting supervisor in advance if sick or otherwise unable to cover shift
  • Accurately recording time worked online on myUFL
  • See the Rooms & Doors page for a map of all the rooms and doors you are responsible for.

In most cases, "contacting supervisor" means sending email to help@nwe.ufl.edu. Refer to our contact list if you need to call another assistant to arrange shift coverage, or to nofity the system administrators of special circumstances, etc.

Specific Duties

  • Going On Duty
    1. Log in to the instructor terminal in 115--Do this first.
      Use the "Lab Assistant" sign to make yourself visible to students.
    2. Make sure both sets of outer doors to Rolfs Hall are open.
    3. Make sure all video projectors and audio visual equipment are off in all unused labs. Email help@nwe if you find any equipment still on. Check the open classroom page to keep from disturbing occupied classrooms.
    4. Open the proper labs (start with 115, then 114, then 105, etc as needed); look at room schedules and lock all unused labs.
    5. Visit every terminal and move the mouse to make sure every terminal is up and no user forgot to logout.

  • Every 30 Minutes
    1. Make your "rounds" to other open labs. Use the xlock(1) program to lock your terminal during your rounds. DO NOT LOCK LAB DOOR!
      • Resetting xterminals
      • Fixing printer jams, replacing toner, and refilling paper trays, checking the amount of paper in the room. Each room should have about a 1/2 box (5 reams).
      • Check for forgotten items. Place the items in the lost & found area of Rolfs 113 and e-mail help@nwe.ufl.edu.
      • Make sure both sets of outer doors to Rolfs Hall are open. Email help@nwe.ufl.edu if you find the doors have been locked again.
      • Make sure all the windows are closed in the labs. Please e-mail help@nwe.ufl.edu if you find them open.

  • Going Off Duty
    1. Make sure all students have logged out of the terminals in the open lab.
    2. Make sure you have logged out!
    3. Fill out time online.
    4. If last on duty for the day, or if the relieving assistant has not arrived, lock the lab doors and outer building doors. If the relieving assistant has not arrived send email to help noting the problem.