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Department Vans

Department Vans

The Biology Department maintains three 10-passenger vans, which are treated as scientific equipment in support of our programs in field biology. They are also used for trips related to other Biology courses and for errands in direct support of the program. In order to prolong their dependable life expectancy, we do not make our vans available to groups outside this department.

Van driver certification

All drivers of College vehicles must be on a list of approved drivers maintained by the Office of Public Safety. To be certified, you must contact them via email or phone (610-328-8281)

Information on the applications is cleared by the College's insurer and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Approval of an application typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, so advance planning for class outings, field trips or student field research is necessary.

Van use

If Biology students wish to use the vans for an activity related to Biology, they may use them without restriction (assuming availability) if they have an approved driver and a faculty member is included in the trip; if no faculty person is included, they may be used for trips within one hour of the campus. 
To reserve a van, sign up on the calendar hanging on the back of the door to John Kelly's office, Martin room 5. Please include the expected departure and return times on the calendar. Keys to the vans are kept in John Kelly's office. Return van keys to John Kelly's office, room 5, immediately after every trip in case others need to use the van.

Safety rules for the use of department vans

  • Do not drive a 10-passenger van unless you feel comfortable with its size and with the responsibility you assume for the safety of the passengers.
  • Do not drive if you become sleepy; stop to rest or to change drivers if another authorized driver is available.
  • Obey all traffic laws and posted speed limits. Other traffic exceeding the speed limit does not sanction our van doing likewise.
  • Do not change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Keep your eyes on the road and on the traffic surrounding you. Be aware of your blind spots and avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot.
  • If the windshield wipers are on, the headlights should be, too.
  • Allow ample room between cars--a van requires more braking distance than a car.
  • Always BACK UP VERY SLOWLY. Visibility of the area behind the van is very restricted; so assistance is needed while backing up. If passengers are not available to help, the driver should put the van in Park and check behind it before backing up. In either case, BACK UP VERY SLOWLY!
  • Vans are permitted to hold only 10 people, including the driver.

Keeping the vans clean

On return to campus, please ask passengers to remove litter and beverage containers and sweep out the van if dirt or debris has accumulated during the trip. Please close all van windows and lock the doors. Before you return the van, fill the gas tank if the gauge reads below 1/2 full as a courtesy for the next person.. Each van has a Mobil/Exxon credit card.