Dear AMMRLers;
We had a graduate student drop and shatter a ceramic spinner for a liquids
probe. The item is pricey and will consume the fees from almost 80 hours
of NMR time at our standard rate. In the past we have asked students to
replace our liquids standard samples when they have broken them. When I
approached the PI about splitting the replacement cost of the spinner I
was asked if that was my policy. It has been my informal policy but I
feel that it might be best to have a formal policy. I have felt ok about
asking for the replacement of standards since they can have one made in
our glass shop or at worst case buy one for about $100 US but I was asked
what I would do if someone damaged a higher dollar item like our
Cryoprobe.
Standards are a small issue in my opinion since in the three years I have
been here we have only had two broken. But the bigger the item the more I
would hesitate to ask for a cost share and that seems a little backwards
financially. I would like to be fair and in line with common practice if
there is one.
If you do not mind I would appreciate some feedback on how you handle
this. Obviously wear and tear is different from letting a standard role
off of a table top or dropping it on the floor. I want to encourage
students to report broken tubes and such to me so I am a bit concerned
about having them worried about getting hit for a bill for breakage.
Regards,
Joe
______________________________________
Joe Dumais, Ph. D.
Associate Research Professor
Director of Research Instrumentation Facility
Department of Chemistry / University of Nebraska Lincoln
834 Hamilton Hall / PO Box 880304
Lincoln, NE 68588-0304
Phone (402) 472 6255 / Fax (402) 472 9402
http://www.chem.unl.edu
Received on Thu Oct 18 2007 - 17:13:55 MST