Phase Details

• Process for request for approval is initiated by investigator, department head and dean.
• Final approval by Executive Vice Provost of Research & Innovation
• Investigators, department chairs/heads and research deans responsible for oversight, scheduling and tracking to ensure compliance with requirements of this guidance

Activities that can be conducted remotely are continued

• Remote activities such as record review, interviewing, psychological and cognitive testing or even the delivery of interventions much of which can be conducted without physical proximity using mailed surveys, and telephone or videoconferencing technology.

In general, prohibited; however, some activities deemed Critical can occur, these include:

• Maintaining research capability or prevent catastrophic disruption, e.g. maintenance of critical/irreplaceable animal and cell lines, equipment
• COVID-19 sponsored projects directly addressing COVID-19 research and development, including therapeutics, diagnostics, PPE production, etc.

Core facilities operate at a level to support these activities in this phase.

In general, prohibited; however, some activities deemed Critical can occur, these include:

• Maintaining on-going studies that are hard to recreate such as long-standing studies that represent years of research

In general, prohibited; however, exceptions can be made if for example, in a therapeutic clinical trial (drug, device or behavioral) there is a direct benefit to the participant that outweighs risk of viral exposure. Approval required.

In general, prohibited; however, exceptions can be made if there is a direct benefit to the participant that outweighs the risk of viral exposure. Approval required for exceptions.

• Investigator-initiated request for return to research with review and approval process at the College/School/Department level with review and final approval from the Office of Research & Innovation. 

• Office of Research & Innovation and University administrative units provide guidance and assist with management and oversight. 

• Non-critical research activities in all categories can resume, however, activities must adhere to guidelines

• Prioritization of studies reviewed and approved by College/School level

  • Face to face [DOC]: If remote activities are not possible or the nature of the research requires face-to-face interaction to be valid and interpretable, for such studies considerations for rigorous hygiene for testing materials, equipment, waiting/testing rooms must be included in “Request for Return to Research”

• Shared resources and facilities:

  • Research activities that involve shared resources within a department, college/school, or University should prepare a coordinated plan to meet the outlined safety requirements, including those relating to physical distancing, sanitization, and PPE use.

  • Core facilities (ULAR, URCF, CIC, etc.) should be staffed and operational to support only the ongoing activities of this phase. Activities dependent on core facilities will have a gradual ramp-up during this phase and will be vetted through a process defined by core facilities directors, appropriate Department Head/Chair, Dean/Director, and EVPRI

• Seasonal field work whose pause or deferral would lead to long delays or loss of research results can resume with approval

• Face to face [DOC]: Research activity requiring interaction with community and/or other institutions should include considerations for transportation and coordination with external sites to maintain safety requirements

For some research activities physical distancing may not be possible (imaging, EEG, blood sampling) therefore risk mitigation precautions should be taken. 

• The investigators should submit a risk mitigation plan for approval prior to resuming activities; 

Plan should include description of any additional safety requirements (i.e., PPE usage, use of shielding, participant’s complete questionnaires about their travel and health, participant’s temperature monitoring prior to entrance).

In general, prohibited; however, exceptions can be made if there is a direct benefit to the participant that outweighs the risk of viral exposure. Approval required for exceptions.

For some research activities, physical distancing and PPE use is not possible to collect valid and interpretable data.

• In general, these studies will not be permitted until risk is naturally reduced to minimal levels later in the post-pandemic process.

• However, permission for such studies may be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the investigator, the IRB, the Department head, Dean/Director, and EVPRI

Investigators

• Specific plans have been developed, reviewed and submitted for approval by departmental and college/school leadership
• See Request For Return To Research Form [XLS]
• Scheduling flexibility is encouraged in consideration of childcare, family care, individual risk factors, transportation concerns, safety, etc.

Colleges/Schools and Departments

• Should develop plans to limit the total person density to correspond phase requirements
• College/School units should develop plans for prioritization to maintain reduced required low density

University Administrative Units

• In collaboration with Academic Units
  • Review guidance and processes developed to minimize health risks are tested and refined if necessary
  • Monitor the impact of the measures described above to inform the timing and implementation of PHASE 2.
  • If safety protocols are not maintained a research team, location, floor or building could be closed until remediation measure are in place ensure mechanisms are in place to enable confidential disclosure of concerns

• Investigator-initiated request for return to research with review and approval process at the College/School/Departmental level with review and final approval from the Office of Research & Innovation.

• Investigators who have not yet been approved for ramp up must complete the Research Ramp Up request for review by the Department Head, ADR, EHS, and ORI.

• Investigators already approved in Phase 1 should modify their approved request with details of their Phase 2 activities.

  • Phase 2 requests that include changes that involve density or space must be reviewed by EHS and the ORI

  • Phase 2 requests that include the addition of undergraduate personnel with no change in density or space must be reviewed by the ADR and ORI

  • Phase 2 requests that include the addition undergraduate personnel with a change in density or space must be reviewed by the ADR, EHS, and ORI

  • Phase 2 requests that include changing or modifying non-undergraduate personnel with no change in density or space must be reviewed by the ORI

• Office of Research & Innovation and University administrative units provide guidance and assist with management and oversight.

• Face to face [DOC]: Expanded activities outlined in PHASE 1 but managed to not exceed 66% of normal operations

• Shared Resources and facilities:

  • Core facilities (e.g. ULAR, URCF, CIC, etc.) should be staffed and operational to support expanded activities of this phase.
  • Research involving use of campus located collections of physical materials [e.g., archives, art works, artifacts, Academy of Natural Sciences’ specimen collections]

• Field research can be resumed adhering to the relevant requirements and any local guidelines.
• Face to face [DOC]: Expanded activities outlined in PHASE 1

• The investigators should submit a risk mitigation plan for approval prior to resuming activities; approaches include:
• Plan should include description of any additional safety requirements (i.e., PPE usage, use of shielding, participant’s complete questionnaires about their travel and health, participant’s temperature monitoring prior to entrance).

• The investigators should submit a risk mitigation plan for approval prior to resuming activities

For some research activities, physical distancing and PPE use is not possible to collect valid and interpretable data. In general, these studies will not be permitted until risk is naturally reduced to minimal levels later in the post-pandemic process.

Investigators

• Utilizing process described in PHASE 1, develop or refine plans (if necessary) to initiate or expand activities

Colleges/Schools

• And evaluate new and/or refine research resumption requests

University Administrative Units

• Support academic units' efforts