Book a Microscope

Oracle Calendar booking system

Scheduling time on the microscope systems is done with a Cornell-sponsored, online system called Oracle Calendar. Once connected to this web-based agenda, you will be able to check the availability of the microscopes, and reserve them. You will receive the login information after training.

After logging in:

• Open an Agenda: The agenda that opens is the PCIC facility agenda. Not any microscope agenda! DO NOT SIGN UP HERE! (All appointments show up here by default.) At the top center is a drop-down list, which allows you to select the equipment you want to reserve. Always double-check that you have the correct agenda!
• Viewing: Click on arrows in the middle of the screen below the icon bar to change weeks. You can also view by day or month. See icons.
• To Schedule an Appointment: Click on the little (+) sign at the time you want to come in. Title should be: your name, your email and your phone number. Set duration. Date and start time (am or pm) should be correct. Hit Create at upper right.
• To Edit or Cancel an Appointment: Click on the title in your appointment block time. Either change entry and hit update or hit delete (at upper right).

For confocal microscope users:

You must book the microscope via Oracle, even if:

• You are the only user of the day
• You decide to use the microscope at the last minute

It is recommended to book the confocal microscope at least one day in advance (you can easily readjust the reservation later).

Booking the Olympus stereomicroscope is not required, but recommended. It will grant you priority on the system.

Cancellation and "No-Show" Policy

Leica Confocal microscope:

For changes on the day of your reservation: If you want to cancel your reservation or modify it significantly (i.e. more than 30 minutes), you must change or delete your time in the Oracle Calendar. You must also post a message to the PCIClist-L user mailing list, with the following title: “Confocal cancellation” or "Confocal booking change".

If you do not follow these rules and forget to edit your reservations, you will be charged for the length of the original booking. If you do not appear within 30 minutes of your reservation, you will be considered a “no-show” and lose your priority on the microscope.

If you cancel your reservation while the confocal was left on just for you (last user of the day), you must come to the facility to perform a total shutdown. If you are out of campus, make sure someone can do it for you (the previous user, or any user who has completed the confocal training).

Cancellation at least one day in advance:

Cancel your Oracle reservation. It is not neccesary to send E-mail to PCIC-L.

Olympus stereomicroscope:

If you cannot make your appointment, make sure the mercury lamp was not left on for you, and cancel your booking in Oracle. It is not neccesary to send E-mail to PCIC-L.

After hours access

Direct access to the facility is possible from 9am to 1pm. Before 9am and after 1pm (and during the week-end), you will need to use the door access card reader. Your Cornell ID card can be activated by filling in an Authorization form and scheduling an appointment with PCIC between 9am and 1pm.