Best Practices for University Core Laboratories:
Insights from DOE User Facilities
Dr. Christopher J. Keane
Vice President for Research
Professor of Physics
Washington State University
WASHINGTON STATE
UNIVERSITY
Presented to:
APLU COR Annual Meeting
July 31, 2018
Bozeman, MT
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Other actions taken to improve WSU core facilities
(Prof. Andrea Lazarus)
• Involved faculty: Instituted faculty user and advisory committees
that provide oversight, prioritize equipment needs, help to resolve
conflicts, and set strategic direction
• Created structure: Core facilities have regular user committee
meetings and submit annual reports and business plans; AVP to
oversee core operations
• Increased efficiency: Implemented user agreements with nearby
institutions to take advantage of core facilities at each institution at
comparable rates.
• Increased visibility: Regular core facility workshops and seminar
programs that highlight capabilities and new technologies; annual
“fair” to showcase core services and capabilities; list of core
facilities and services featured prominently on Office of Research
webpage
• Strategic planning: linked university decisions on limited
submission equipment proposals to ongoing needs of core facilities