User Agreement

BioFrontiers Advanced Light Microscopy Core (ALMC) 
User Agreement Form 

This agreement outlines the expectations of access and use of the BioFrontiers Institute’s Advanced Light Microscopy Core (ALMC). Users agree to the rules and guidelines detailed below. 

1. Recognition of the Core: As the ALMC often provides regular assistance and support, co-authorship should be considered as the primary mechanism to recognize our involvement in your work. Further, the ALMC and its staff must be acknowledged following the standard language and content found on our website. Please inform us when acknowledgements are made, as this information is essential for our annual impact reporting.
2. Instrument Access and Use: All Users must receive training and be approved for use on each microscope. Standard operating procedures for individual instruments must be followed. All reservations must be made using our online scheduler. Users that have not operated an instrument within a 6-month period will require training before reservation rights are fully restored. Any User found inappropriately operating a microscope will immediately lose facility access.
3. Data Storage and Management: Users are responsible for the storage and management of their own data. The facility does not back up User data and is not responsible for lost or deleted files. User data may be deleted at any time without advanced notice.
4. Equipment Damage or Loss: Users may be responsible and liable for any and all costs, expenses, or charges that the BioFrontiers ALMC may incur or assess for the repair or replacement of the equipment and facilities that are the result of damage or loss caused by the User’s intentional or negligent acts or omissions. If the User suspects damage to ALMC property, caused by themselves or others, the User will inform ALMC staff so that they may inform other relevant Users and fix or replace the item.
5. Exposure to Potentially Hazardous Materials: Users in the facility should appropriately handle their samples according to their hazard designations and treat all samples that are not their own as if they are hazardous. Users of the facility often bring samples that fall under BioSafety Level (BSL) 1 and 2 and chemicals that fall under hazard designations like toxic or corrosive. Staff should be informed of potential hazards in your sample, all samples should be handled with appropriate PPE, and any spills should be cleaned up according to EH&S guidelines (including informing all staff that a spill occurred in the facility)