SEA Policies

Usage Scope: User shall only use the Equipment in the Facilities for the Research on the Schedule, and any changes thereto shall be coordinated with and approved by a representative of the Rice Shared Equipment Authority (Rice SEA). Should additional instruments be requested for use or a user change group or advisor, an additional agreement must be submitted.

Qualification and Standard Care: Prior to using the Equipment and Facilities, user shall have the necessary knowledge, abilities, training, skills and experience to use the Equipment and Facilities in the proper manner and for their intended purpose. When using the Equipment and Facilities, user shall act in a professional manner, consistent with prevailing industry standards and practices.

Compliance with Law and Rice Policy: When using the Equipment and the Facilities, user shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local statutes, regulations, codes, ordinances, as well as all applicable Rice policies and procedures.

Usage Costs and Expenses: User shall be responsible and liable for any and all costs and expenses related to User's use of the Equipment and the Facilities. The Rice SEA will determine the costs and expenses applicable to User's use of the Equipment and the Facilities for the Research, and will provide user with an invoice therefore. Instrument fees are listed on each instrument's page, as well as on the Fees tab. When rate is listed as an hourly charge, billing is by the minute, with only actual time used being billed. If user is a student, user's Sponsor or User's Department will be invoiced. Payment will be made electronically by billing the fund provided by the user of user’s advisor.

Liability for Damage or Loss: User shall be responsible and liable for any and all costs, expenses or charges that the Rice SEA may incur or assess for the repair or replacement of the Equipment or the Facilities as a result of damage or loss caused by User's intentional or negligent acts or omissions.

Acknowledgment of SEA Resources: All Users are required to acknowledge SEA support on publications and presentations, using the specific words "the Shared Equipment Authority at Rice University". Additionally, Users may wish to acknowledge specific SEA staff or instruments.

Example: "This work was done in part using resources of the Shared Equipment Authority at Rice University (https://research.rice.edu/sea/). We thank (specific SEA staff member(s)) for help with (specific instrument or techniques)."