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Dear Arvydas,

Regarding polite reminders for users, I find it's useful to focus on what they want and need. Usually this boils down to 1) access to the equipment and 2) affordable fees.

As we managers & directors all know, damage to optics can put equipment out of commission for months and cost thousands of dollars.  So I would stress that keeping corrosive salts out of the room ensures that the equipment stays in excellent condition, and avoids costly and time-consuming repairs that could delay everyone's experiments.

I also find that some users will ignore the signs, no matter how carefully worded. Some will not get into a new habit without frequent reinforcement. To help with this, make it virtually impossible for people to get in the door without noticing the box of booties.  You should probably check in frequently at first to make sure that people are actually putting them on. If someone is sitting at a microscope without booties on because they "forgot", bring them a pair. That way you can be helpful while sending the unspoken message that this is a serious policy.

Hope this helps (and I hope your winter is an easy one from now on),

Theresa


On Dec 8, 2014, at 8:33 AM, Arvydas Matiukas <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

...
Additionally please advise on the posting that should be polite and would
not turn away the users, however, at the same time would  clearly and strictly request putting on shoe covers before entering the microscopy rooms.



------------------------------------
Please note: My email address has changed to [log in to unmask]<http://columbia.edu>.

Theresa Swayne, Ph.D.
Associate Research Scientist
Manager, Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Shared Resource
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University
1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, 222A
New York, NY 10032

212-851-4613

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http://hiccc.columbia.edu/research/sharedresources/confocal