Each year, students and faculty call Plant Services with questions. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions, with answers and useful links.
1. I need to have something in my building fixed. Can anyone submit a work request to Plant Services?
No. Only building monitors or their alternates (or area coordinators for student housing) can submit work requests. See Work Request Policy for more information.
2. There are black and red bugs all over my building! What are they, and how do I get rid of them?
These are box elder bugs. They're a nuisance, but they are not dangerous; your best bet is to ignore them. Visit the Oregon Extension Service fact sheet for more information.
3. Eek! There are spiders in my house! Do something!
Plant Services is not licensed to spray the interiors of buildings. Outside perimeters are sprayed on a rotating schedule and are not likely to keep spiders out anyway. However, residents may purchase RAID on their own.
Fortunately, there are really only two kinds of dangerous spiders in Oregon; most are pretty harmless. For more information about Oregon spiders, visit these fact sheets:
4. Yuck! There are ants everywhere in my house! What can I do?
Recipe for Dealing with Sugar Ants
1 Part Sugar
1 Part Boric Acid - (Available at our local dry goods store)
1 Tablespoon Yeast
Make little piles of this mixture around areas of infestation. In about 2 weeks the nest should be gone.
5. How do I get a building key for my building, and how long will it take?
You will need to obtain a GFU Key Authorization form, either from your department secretary or from Plant Services. Indicate the building or room where you need access, and get a signature from your Department Head and Building Monitor. (Students requesting outside door keys must get the building monitor's signature and Mike Goins's signature.) Sign the form and return it to Plant Services. It generally takes 2-3 days to cut a new key; we will notify you through campus mail when it is ready.
6. What do I need to know about reserving and renting a van?
Fifteen-passenger vans are available by reservation, only to George Fox University employees and students who plan to use them for a school function. Drivers must be members of George Fox, at least 21 years of age, and have completed a van training session. Call Plant Services at ext. 2010 to reserve a van, and Dan Schutter at ext. 2014 to set up a van training session. Refer to Van Policy for more information.
7. Does Plant Services have any tools that I can borrow?
Power tools are not available for personal use. Basic hand tools and ladders are sometimes available; call the office to check availability, and have your building monitor or alternate put in a work request so Plant Services can track the tools.
8. Where can I find chemical information?
Chemical information is found on Material Safety Data Sheets, referred to as MSDSs. Any chemical in use on the George Fox University campus should have an MSDS on file. To locate a specific chemical online, use the MSDS Search to search the GFU database. Hardcopies of MSDSs can also be obtained at the Plant Services office. For a more detailed explanation of the MSDS, as well as a list of common office and cleaning supplies, follow this link.
This page was last updated 4-2-2008 01:56:48.
For questions or comments about this page, please email the webmaster.
