All,
I brought this subject up with the Cores Executive Oversight Board (EOB) at my institution and got a similar response to Lisa at Duke. The disconnect for MCW leadership was that if the equipment went into the core it was no longer part of the start-up package. They therefore felt that it would increase the investment to remain competitive. It would be great to collaborate to know the best way to pitch the idea to Department Chairs and senior leadership so that they see it is a win-win.
Did you all see the great paper about the UNC at Chapel Hill SOM voucher system in JBT? I realize this is a little different but I like it for junior faculty with grants close to fundable where some data generated by the cores might help. However, I have never had a revenue source for vouchers. I'm now considering suggesting that we repurpose some of our core equipment money to a voucher system. Wondering what the objections to this idea might be.
Thank you, everyone.
Janette
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Janette Lamb
Institutional Research Cores Program Director
Medical College of Wisconsin
Wisconsin WI
jlamb@mcw.edu------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2026 01:24
From: Lisa Cameron
Subject: Start-Up Packages with Core Facility Credits
Hello all - I am also interested in this topic. I think we likely need to involve or work together to engage our Deans and department chairs. I have had discussions with department chairs (granted it was prior to Jan 2025) who tell me that they can not afford to try to control a faculty member startup package in a way that would make Duke less competitive. I have suggested to faculty and chairs and discussed with admins who are involved with core management that the institution should be offering core facility credits or vouchers, but it didn't get very far. Perhaps I (and we) should start bringing up this topic again with appropriate institutional officials. It would be great to collaborate on this and hear from different people who are in different positions in their institution. I can try to suggest that my institution core management office assistant dean consider attending a meeting that we may have. I would be interested in meeting after Jan 21 (due to a personal busy sched until then). Thank you, Lisa
Lisa Cameron
Director, Light Microscopy Core Facility
Duke University and Duke University Medical Center
Iisa.cameron@duke.edu
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Lisa Cameron
Director, Light Microscopy Core Facility
Duke University
Durham NC
Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2026 15:09
From: Susanna Perkins
Subject: Start-Up Packages with Core Facility Credits
All - given that there are several of us interested in this topic, I'm happy to arrange a zoom meeting so we can all chat. I'll give this thread another couple days to see who else might want to join and then reach out for a mutually convenient day/time.
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Susanna Perkins
Exec Director, Research Facilities
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
508 831 6577
Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2026 11:04
From: Susanna Perkins
Subject: Start-Up Packages with Core Facility Credits
Good morning all -
I'd like to initiate a discussion on how any Institutions either have started, or have plans to implement, Core credits for use in facilities replacing equipment purchases in new recruit start-up packages. If your Institution has already done this - how did you implement it/any guidelines for dollar amounts, etc. How was this change received and would you deem it successful?
Thank you for any input!
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Susanna Perkins
Exec Director, Research Facilities
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
508 831 6577
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