If you must take this route, be aware of the following:
 
Only graduate students in laser optics and electrical engineering will be
useful as far as "upkeep" of the instrument is concerned because these are
the only aspects of the device that will ever need (big) repairs.  Service
contracts are the only way to go on this.  Of course, if you're the
gambling type (I am), then forget about the service contract and bet that
the amount of dollars spent on repairs will be less than the amount spent
on the service contract.  This is a bad bet for older instruments with
Kr/Ar lasers.
 
Be sure that the student put in charge fo the scope needs it for his/her
own research - that way a vested interest exists for keeping it in tip-top
shape.  Also, be sure the person is going to be around for two years
minimum - it is ashame to train someone and then have to go through the
whole operation again in less than 18 months.  Finally, be sure the
individual passes on the knowledge before they depart.
 
On the whole, however, I would argue against this route and for a
"temporary" part-time staff person (the costs are roughly the same).
 
Rob Palmer
Ctr Env Biotech
UT/ORNL
 
>I would be interested in your opinion of the following issue.  It is
>has been a policy here that graduate students receiving institutional
>stipends are given responsibility for the oversight/maintenance of
>specific research instruments, ie, usually spectrophotometers,
>centrifuges, etc. It is now being suggested that our LSCM system (BioRad
>600 and Codonics printer; no maintenance contract in place) be included in
>the list of instruments
>for which a student will be assigned as "primary care" person, including
>training of new users.  Has anyone had experience with this type of
>supervision and if so, has the arrangement been satisfactory?  I would
>also be interested in hearing opions from those not having had such an
>experience but "what if"....?   Your input is appreciated in advance.
>
>Fay Hansen-Smith, Associate Professor
>Dept. Biological Sciences
>Oakland University
>Rochester, MI 48309-4401
>810-370-3574