SIF Newsletter - November 23, 2020

SIF Newsletter - November 23, 2020

The SIF is open and providing analytical services, with some limitations through the holidays. Here’s an update about SIF news and important deadlines to help you plan for your upcoming analytical needs.

Limited Mail Delivery through December 2020
The SIF will not receive shipments during the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 26–29.

We also have a narrow window (November 30–December 18) to receive shipments, prior to campus closures for the Winter Break. Because we are experiencing delays with all mail carriers, especially standard post, shipping by FedEx is the current recommendation. Any shipments received during the weekend or holiday will be redelivered on the next open business day.

Thank you to everyone who has followed our sample submission advice. Please continue to email your completed Analysis Order Form and Sample List to sif@ucdavis.edu and wait for an SIF staff member to review and provide additional shipping advice. If you do not receive a reply within 2 business days, please send a reminder email, as we are experiencing a high volume of emails.

Limited Invoice Availability through December
The SIF will not be able to generate invoices November 25–30 due to a campus upgrade to the accounting system. Additionally, we will not be able to generate invoices December 19–January 3 due to the campus Winter Break.

Please email sifaccounting@ucdavis.edu your quote requests and funding/invoice deadlines early, because we are receiving a high volume of requests.

New Year! New Look!
The SIF is looking forward to the new year with improvements to our website and accounting systems.

At the end of October, we changed to a new credit card payment portal. SIF invoices will soon include a QR code to link directly to the secure credit card payment portal.

We’re excited to roll out a new website in early January to improve communication, education, and accessibility. A web-based order form will go live soon after that. This is all in preparation for the SIF to move towards a "paywall" system, where payment will be requested before data are released. Payment by credit card, wire transaction receipt, or valid Purchase Order are the fastest ways to release data. Our website will be updated as details are finalized.

Please email us if you have any questions or concerns: sif@ucdavis.edu.

As we reflect upon this past year, all of us at the UC Davis Stable Isotope Facility are thankful for you and your continued research and love of science! We wish you happy and healthy holidays!