The Cook, Kuhlman and Strahl labs each have slightly different protocols for ordering lab supplies. But a fundamental for all three labs, and indeed any lab, is that when you notice a particular reagent or consumable is running low, you must immediately request an order for more. The level of lab citizenship in the Cook, Kuhlman, and Strahl labs is very high, so this is our common practice. Waiting to order more until our supply has run out would greatly impede our lab work.
After an order has been requested (in the manner described below), the lab manager will generally place the order within three business days. But be aware that there is wide variability in the time it takes for a particular item to arrive, depending, for example, on where it is coming from and whether it is in stock. So please plan ahead. Anticipate your needs. The lab manager can place same-day orders on an emergency basis, but this should be a very infrequent occurrence.
Cook Lab
The Cook Lab has a practice of keeping on hand backups of important supplies. When starting in the lab, thoroughly familiarize yourself with where these backups are kept.
When the primary supply of something is running low, find the ordering form on a clipboard on the desk behind the lab manager. Fill out a row on the form, which is shown below. Complete all boxes to the left of the red line. The boxes to the right of the red line are for the lab manager to record ordering information (and where you can find a record of when your order was placed and when it is expected in the lab). Please write legibly so that ordering can proceed efficiently; use, if possible a fine-point pen. In the fourth column, make sure you put the catalog number of the item you are ordering. This is never the lot number. There is a helpful five-page, price-checked ordering list of our most commonly ordered lab supplies near the ordering form clipboard.
Purchases over $500 require Dr. Cook’s approval before they are ordered. There are always extra blank ordering forms at the back of the clipboard.
Kuhlman Lab
The Kuhlman Lab generally makes ordering requests on the whiteboard at the end of Bay 3100E, which is pictured below. Please be sure to include your name in the fourth column when placing an order in case the lab manager has a question. Please write legibly so that ordering can proceed efficiently; so use, if possible, a fine-point pen. Make sure you put the catalog number of the item you are ordering. This is never the lot number.
A record of when orders are placed and expected in the lab can be found on the ordering sheet clipboard on the lab manager’s desk bookcase:
Strahl Lab
When the supply of something starts to run low, find the ordering form on a clipboard kept by the Strahl Lab printers. Fill out a row on the form, which is shown below. Complete all boxes to the left of the red line. The boxes to the right of the red line are for the lab manager to record ordering information (and where you can find a record of when your order was placed and when it is expected in the lab). Please write legibly so that ordering can proceed efficiently; so use, if possible, a fine-point pen. In the fourth column, make sure you put the catalog number of the item you are ordering. This is never the lot number. If a specific grant should be charged, note that in the sixth column. There are always extra blank ordering forms at the back of the clipboard.
Again, the lab manager will generally place a requested order within three business days. But be aware that there is wide variability in the time it takes for a particular item to arrive, depending, for example, on where it is coming from and whether it is in stock. So please plan ahead. Anticipate your needs. The lab manager can place same-day orders on an emergency basis, but this should be a very infrequent occurrence.
