14 new microscopes were missing from four lab rooms at the Molecular Medicine lower level Learning Lab, according to initial inventory reports in early September.’ After searching through the labs and doing a second inventory, lab employees verified that the expensive microscopes were stolen and contacted University Police on Sept. 12.
“This was the first time this large an amount of microscopes were stolen at one time,’ said Mary Ann Bernero, Head Curator of Undergraduate Biology. Bernero said the microscopes were taken sometime between the end of summer classes in late August and the beginning of fall semester classes in early September.’
Seven of the microscopes stolen were Nikon Alphaphot-2, valued at approximately $1000 each.
‘They were in a lab room in a closet,’ Bernero said.’ Bernero suggested that since the door and closet were sometimes left unlocked, that someone could have taken these thousand dollar microscopes.
Seven other microscopes stolen were Leica, valued at approximately $2000 each.’ Since those microscopes were in closets in locked lab rooms, Bernero suspected that someone with a key stole them.
According to Bernero, the university will not pay to replace those microscopes now.’ ‘We buy microscopes during a 10 to 15 year period, and we just bought these microscopes a year or two ago.’ she said.’ ‘So we don’t have the money to buy them now.’ The money can’t come from capital projects.’
A few students will have to use old microscopes for their classes.’ Instead of Leica, some students will have to use 1976 Bausch & Lomb microscopes.’ Instead of Nikon Alphaphot-2, some students will have to use microscopes bought in the 1990s.
‘The new microscopes are easier to see through, brighter and binocular,’ said Ellen Lopez, Curator of Undergraduate Biology.’ ‘The old microscopes are monocular.’
Bernero said that lab equipment was regularly stolen from the Learning Lab in the past.’ ‘Last year, Proxima projectors were stolen,’ she said.’ University Police rarely find the stolen items, according to Bernero. Better locking mechanisms on the lab cabinets and better security might have prevented the thefts.
Jennifer Sewell, a theater and political science major, agreed.’ ‘ ‘That’s really sad that happened.’ They need better security,’ Sewell said.
Patricia Jones, a women’s studies major, said the university administration should replace the 14 stolen microscopes.’ ‘We pay more than enough tuition for the administration to replace those microscopes. Student deserve new microscopes,’ Jones said.
Bernero and Lopez hope that the person or persons who stole the approximately $21,000 in microscopes will return them.’ Using older microscopes in the lab will cause greatly unnecessary difficulties for current lab students.
