The University of Michigan, being perpetually pressed for space, is
considering moving some of the Core laboratories away from campus.
First to go will probably be my own DNA Sequencing Core, with the
Protein and Carbohydrate Structure Facility close behind. These are
facilities that in my opinion succeed because of the direct and
frequent interactions we enjoy with our clients.
We have presented all our impassioned arguments about why this is a
bad move - "face-to-face interactions are critical", "impersonal
Cores get less respect", "staff retention will be more difficult",
etc etc. I'm sure you can imagine the discussions. The Admins are
so far unimpressed.
Rather than giving theorectical arguments about why a Core can't
work as well when away from its clientele, some hard facts would be
in order now. Have any of you been involved in a Core lab that was
located in a site away from its clients? Are you aware of Cores -
successful or otherwise - that have tried such a move? Information
and/or anecdotes would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks -
Bob Lyons
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Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
Director, DNA Sequencing Core
University of Michigan
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