On-Campus Research Activities During Campus Closures

Only critical on‑campus research activities may continue during campus closures. If you are unsure whether your work qualifies, please consult your supervisor. The University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) team is fully prepared and will continue providing essential animal care across all vivaria during closures.

• What are considered "critical" research activities?
  • The obvious challenge with this process is to distinguish activities that are "critical" on-campus research activities. The justifications of essential activities listed below illustrate principles that underlie the designation. Other activities might be considered essential but would need to represent the same level of necessity to operations.
  • On-campus "critical" research activities are those that if discontinued would:
    • pose a safety hazard
    • negatively impact the care of patients in clinical trials
    • cause the loss of irreplaceable data, samples and animal populations
    • cause irreparable harm to critical equipment in facilities and laboratories
  • All other on-campus research activities are considered non-critical.
  • Determination of “critical” research activities should be done with discussion and approval of the Department Head/Chair followed by approval of the Dean/Research Dean. As the Institutional Official, the Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation will provide final approval.  
• Who will be allowed to perform these "critical" research activities?
  • No undergraduates or external visitors are allowed in our on-campus research facilities.
  • Only faculty, staff, and graduate students will be allowed to perform critical research activities.
  • Faculty, staff, and graduate students should be immediately identified, if not done so already, and shared with your department, college, and the ORI.

If you have further questions, please contact your department head/chair and your Associate Dean for Research.