Research Ramp Up Enters Phase 3 "The New Normal"
Drexel's research ramp up has been a health and safety success, with no documented cases of COVID-19 transmission in laboratory, field, clinical or other research settings. Given the rapidly improving public health situation and the Philadelphia Department of Health's recent updated guidance we are transitioning to Phase 3 of the research ramp up, aka “the new normal” effective today Monday June 7th!
What is new in Phase 3:
- There are no density limits in research spaces.
- There are no physical distancing requirements in research spaces.
- Research Ramp Up requests or modifications are no longer needed.
- Voluntary participation agreements for undergraduates and graduate students are no longer needed.
- Asymptomatic student/staff/faculty no longer must utilize the Drexel Health Checker app before coming to their research areas.
What stays the same in Phase 3:
- Masking is still required in all Drexel buildings and/or leased spaces.
- Indoor eating is allowed only in designated eating areas.
- Students/Faculty/staff who are symptomatic must utilize the Drexel Health Checker app.
- Please do not come to campus if you do not feel well.
| Category | Ramp Down | Phase 1 | Phase 2A | Phase 2B | Phase 3 |
| Effective Date | 18-Mar-20 | 8-Jun-20 | 2-Sep-20 | 4-Jan-21 | 7-Jun-21 |
| On campus Researcher Population | <5% | <33%* | <66%* | <66%* | 100% new normal |
| Remote work | Most activity remote | All that is possible | All that is possible | All that is possible | When reasonable |
| “research” activities | Critical only | Critical + prioritized | Expanded | Expanded | All |
| Faculty / Staff / Post-docs | Essential only | Voluntary | Voluntary | Voluntary | Yes |
| Grad/Med Students | Essential only | Voluntary | Voluntary | Voluntary | Yes |
| COOP Students | Essential only | Voluntary | Voluntary | Voluntary | Yes |
| Undergraduates | No | No | Non-credit bearing activities | Credit and non-credit bearing activities | Yes |
| Mitigation (e.g., PPE / Physical Distancing / Cleaning) | Required - Follow CDC guidelines | Required - Follow CDC guidelines | Required - Follow CDC guidelines | Required - Follow CDC guidelines | Required - Follow CDC guidelines |
| Approval Required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
*the physical distancing requirements must be maintained
The administrative and academic units that support the research enterprise (e.g. Libraries, research core facilities, shuttle buses) are also in the process of ramping up so please check ahead with these support services to understand where they are in their ramp up plans.
For guidance related to research related travel, please visit the COVID-19 Essential Travel Guidance page.
Improvements in the public health landscape are a direct result of rising vaccination rates that have driven down cases and hospitalizations here at Drexel, in Philadelphia, and the nation. COVID-19 vaccination is safe, effective, and illustrative of the power and impact of scientific research. As members of our research community, we strongly urge you to take advantage of free vaccination clinics held on Drexel's campus. You can also simply go to www.vaccines.gov, and easily find a vaccination option near you. For the fall term, all students are required to be vaccinated. Details have been provided in a separate communication. For more information on vaccinations click here. Please upload your vaccination records to the Drexel Health Checker app.
If you have questions or concerns about the research ramp up, please contact the research ramp up team at DrexelResearchRampUp@drexel0.onmicrosoft.com. Students participating in research activities should feel free to reach out to either Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs (UREP) (urep@drexel.edu) or the Graduate College (gradautecollege@drexel.edu) for undergraduate and graduate students respectively.
On behalf of the University, I want to thank the researchers who worked safely through these unprecedented conditions. I also want to thank the team of faculty and staff who worked to support the research ramp up. We truly could not have made the research ramp up a success without your dedication and diligence.
Aleister J. Saunders, PhD
Executive Vice Provost
Office of Research and Innovation