Department Services
Our Mission
Chemistry’s professional and support staff—in collaboration with faculty leadership—work together as a well-integrated, high-functioning team. As Chemistry's service center, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of services to the faculty, staff, and students who engage in education and research at the Merkert Chemistry Center. We provide comprehensive services and support in the following areas.
- operations and safety
- space management and planning
- research instrumentation and facilities management
- chemical inventory management (ChemTracker)
- research and financial administration
- procurement services
- human resources management and payroll
- graduate and undergraduate programs administration
- industrial recruiting and alumni affairs
- administrative and faculty support
- web communications and events
- diversity and outreach activities
- IT services
Business Office
The Chemistry Business Office is located in Room 125 of the Eugene F. Merkert Chemistry Center. We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (excluding Boston College holidays).
The Business Office assists members of the Chemistry Department with all aspects of:
- Procurement and vendor negotiations
- Travel and expense reimbursements
- Employment and payroll administrations
- Pre- and Post-award grant administration
In these areas, the Business Office serves as liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs, Procurement Services, Accounts Payable, and Human Resources departments at Boston College and as the key contact with external vendors.
Business Office Staff & Contact Information
Tim King, Procurement & Fiscal Specialist
Email: timothy.king@bc.edu Phone: 617-552-6357
Office: Merkert 125
Joanne Kirks, Procurement and Fiscal Specialist
Email: joanne.kirks@bc.edu
Phone: 617-552-2879
Office: Merkert 125
Tim and Joanne process supply and capital equipment requisitions for the teaching and research areas of the department. They are responsible for maintaining relationships with vendors and assist with organizing and coordinating vendor shows, seminars, and training that showcases new products and offerings for the Chemistry Department.
Their responsibilities also include processing expense reimbursements and accounts payable transactions for faculty, staff, and students. Tim also assists with purchase card reconciliations.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Purchase Requisition (more commonly referred to as a "PO") is a form the Business Office requires in order to purchase supplies, equipment, and services. You can obtain blank PO forms in the Business Office, Room 125
You must fill out all non-shaded areas of the form, detailing vendor information, items, catalog number, price, quantity and the grant/budget account to be charged.
*All PO's must be signed by your professor before submission. Note that all unsigned PO's will be returned to the requestor.
Place all completed and signed forms in the special box labeled "Purchase Orders and Check Requisitions" located in the first floor copy room.
Should you have a rush or emergency order, please bring the PO directly to the Business Office.
Important Note
If there are radioactive items on the requisition, you will need to attach an approved "Radiation Authorization" sheet to the PO before submitting the order. This form can be obtained from the Business Office or from the Environmental Health and Safety Office Web site.
If you are ordering an item that contains Mercury, you must first obtain approval from Ian Parr (Operations and Safety Manager) in Merkert 125. Ian Parr will complete the necessary form to be attached to the Purchase Order.
After the Business Office processes and places your order, the yellow copy of the purchase requisition form will be returned to the requestor's mailbox for their records. The date the order was placed and a reference number (if available) will be noted on the form as well as any back order information if necessary.
Due to government and shipping regulations, all samples must be securely packaged in a box or some type of container. Envelopes are to be used only for mailing documents.
Bring the yellow copy of the purchase requisition to the Business Office. Indicate whether you want a credit or replacement. The Business Office will obtain and give you a "Return Authorization Number" from the vendor and provide you with further instructions.
Double-check the box and packaging in which the order was shipped. Some companies (such as Sigma-Aldrich) put small items in the same box as larger items. Check the loading dock and storage areas as well. If the item is not found, circle the item on your pink PO form and bring it to the Business Office. We will contact the vendor and then follow up with you.
Since most orders are shipped within a couple of days of the ordering date, it is important to report any missing or broken items to the Business Office ASAP.
To record back hours, please see Dale Mahoney in Merkert 125 to complete the appropriate forms.
Registering & Scheduling Services
Graduate Studies
For information on or assistance with registering for a graduate course, please contact:
Professor Eranthie Weerapana
Chair, Graduate Chemistry Studies
Merkert 214A
(617) 552-2931
eranthie.weerapana@bc.edu
Undergraduate Studies
For course overrides, laboratory course overrides, departmental permission to take a lecture course, or general registration related matters, please contact:
Professor Lynne A. O'Connell
Director, Introductory Chemistry Laboratories
Chair, Undergraduate Chemistry Studies
Merkert 111
(617) 552-3626
lynne.oconnell.1@bc.edu