In May of 2015 the Pitt Chemistry Stockroom (PCS) and the Biological Sciences Stockroom (BSS) were reorganized to form the Dietrich School Scientific Stockroom (DSS). The new unified stockroom, located in 326 Chevron, boasts a catalogue of over 1,300 items available for purchase through the University’s PantherExpress ordering system. Convenient same day pickup in both Chevron and Langley Halls is offered, along with next day delivery around campus. The combined catalogue includes items previously stocked in each of the Chemistry, Physics, and Biological Sciences Stockrooms plus the University’s supply of duty-free research ethanol. DSS provides a broad platform of products to support the research needs of the Department, the Dietrich School, and the University at large, at a significant cost savings compared to the prices PCS was able to offer alone. Over 1,000 square feet of space was renovated to accomodate the new inventory. High density shelving, electrical upgrades and the addition of eleven freezers necessary for the stocking of the expanded catalogue are all part of the updated facility.
In addition to continuing the Department’s chemical inventory tracking system, the DSS staff is proud to offer a new lecture bottle alternative program. Chemists needing small quantities of compressed gases have long turned to the ubiquitous lecture bottle as a convenient solution, however lecture bottles are both costly and an environmental hazard, as the cylinders are non-returnable and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
The DSS team is led by Josh Jones, Customer Service Director, and Mike Barrett, Stockroom Manager, with onsite inventory support from Susan Rearick of Unity Lab Services through our partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.