title: University multi-user facility survey-2010.
abstract: Multi-user facilities serve as a resource for many universities. In 2010, a survey was conducted investigating possible changes and successful characteristics of multi-user facilities, as well as identifying problems in facilities. Over 300 surveys were e-mailed to persons identified from university websites as being involved with multi-user facilities. Complete responses were received from 36 facilities with an average of 20 years of operation. Facilities were associated with specific departments (22%), colleges (22%), and university research centers (8.3%) or were not affiliated with any department or college within the university (47%). The five most important factors to succeed as a multi-user facility were: 1) maintaining an experienced, professional staff in an open atmosphere; 2) university-level support providing partial funding; 3) broad client base; 4) instrument training programs; and 5) an effective leader and engaged strategic advisory group. The most significant problems were: 1) inadequate university financial support and commitment; 2) problems recovering full service costs from university subsidies and user fees; 3) availability of funds to repair and upgrade equipment; 4) inability to retain highly qualified staff; and 5) unqualified users dirtying/damaging equipment. Further information related to these issues and to fee structure was solicited. Overall, there appeared to be a decline in university support for facilities and more emphasis on securing income by serving clients outside of the institution and by obtaining grants from entities outside of the university.
authors: Department of Entomology, Soils and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29674-0315, USA. mbriley@clemson.edu
authors: Melissa B
authors: MB
authors: Riley
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005249:Fees and Charges / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000191:economics*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D014495:Universities / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration