My two cents worth,
I think it is counterproductive to try to charge users for isolated
misstakes.
Josef Dumais expressed himself what I think is the key point, to get
users to report accidents,and broken items.
We are, but only three departments are involved, having a policy of
solidarity between us.
We do not use hourly rates, but share real costs between the three
involved departments.
I have never had a problem to distribute costs for repairs, or smaller
upgrades.
Another key to this policy is that the group leaders, has to be certain
that all new users are properly informed about what to do, and when to
ask for help. I.e, only one person is replacing the cryoprobe.
Regards,
Torbjörn Astlind
Joseph Dumais wrote:
> 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
> //www.chem.unl.edu
>
Received on Fri Oct 19 2007 - 16:38:36 MST