The main purpose of PODs is to build community and resolve research and space issues.
 
POD Captain Duties

• Receive and disseminate information from the Research Committee Chair (e.g. health and safety policies).
• Collect and transmit information back to the Biology Chair or Research Committee Chair as needed (e.g. prioritization of facilities needs).
• Organize and facilitate regular POD meetings.
  • Most PODs meet monthly, but meeting at least quarterly is recommended.
  • These can be mostly business or a mixture of business and community building.
  • It is good to have something to welcome everyone back in late September or early October.
• Develop and implement a policy to assign office and desk space, as needed.
  • POD captains can work with the Biology Chair and Research Committee Chair to address any challenges.
• Organize departmental coffee hours for one month.

Biology Coffee Hour

Administrative support is provided by the Bio Admin Office Front Desk. After reading the information below, email all requests or questions to frontbio@uw.edu.

• Each POD will host a weekly coffee hour for one month.
  • Signups are coordinated by the Research Committee Chair.
• The entire POD (faculty, graduate students, staff and postdocs) should pitch in!
• Location/time is at the POD captain's discretion so long as coffee hours don't conflict with other departmental events.
  • Captains will need to schedule the room, if not using a common area.
  • A departmental email announcing the day/time and weekly reminders are recommended.
• PODs are required to maintain an attendance list for each coffee hour.
  • Email a scan to frontbio@uw.edu or drop the original off in KIN 150.
• There is a designated coffee hour cart has a hot water urn and some provided supplies (cups, sugar packets, et al).
  • Coordinate borrowing the cart by emailing frontbio@uw.edu. 
• The budget is $100 per coffee hour.
  • Worktag: PG124255
  • UW HFS Café To Go orders should be placed through the Front Desk at least 4 business days in advance.
  • Department members can be also be reimbursed via a Non-travel Reimbursement.
    • Use this form for 2025-2026 coffee hours.
    • Admin Office staff already have the required signed Food & Bev form on file.

2025-2026 Roster

Annual roster updates and coffee hours signups are organized by the Research Committee Chair.

Please contact biopurch@uw.edu if this page requires updates/corrections.