The reactor is operated by full-time professional staff as well as student reactor operators. Students who participate in reactor operations undergo a rigorous training and qualification process, culminating in licensure by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
This unique structure ensures that operations meet the highest safety standards while also providing hands-on education and workforce development in nuclear science and engineering.
Safety is the number one priority for the staff and the University. Safety is built into the design of the facility and experiments, materials, irradiation review, the trainings of users and operators, the operational procedures for routine and frequent surveillances, equipment calibrations, and operational checks. This structure has led to a continued safe operations for over 50 years.
The facility maintains it safety program, but is overseen and supported by the campus Radiation Safety Office as an independent campus review entity as well as inspected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.