Research Guidance

As we continue the reintroduction of on-campus research and activity, principal investigators, researchers, and scholars are required to develop a research resumption plan in accordance with University guidelines and divisional implementation plans. In order to facilitate operational coordination and regulatory compliance associated with research resumption, all research resumption plans should be submitted through an online form. The research resumption plans will then be routed directly to departmental chairs and deans for review and approval. The research resumption plans require a personnel list Excel template to upload in the online form.

To clarify, the University is not using any of this information to centrally determine eligibility for research resumption. All research resumption plans will be reviewed and approved by the division. Upon approval, specific directions and information will be sent to you directly by your dean.

It is anticipated that you will need to make adjustments and updates to your original RRP. Please complete this simplified form and upload any related attachments to provide these updates. Upon completion it will be routed to your Chair and Dean for review and approval of your Modification.

• COVID-19-related supplies are available for units to purchase via two internal BuySite catalogs. The first, “General Use C-19 Supplies,” includes items such as face coverings, hand sanitizer, and surface cleaning supplies. The second catalog, “Research Resumption-Lab Use Only,” contains the same COVID-19 general use supplies as well as a few products currently in short supply that are needed for lab-based researchers.
• Departmental BuySite requestors should coordinate with their unit leadership and follow the directions below:
  1. Log into BuySite and select one of the COVID-19 “Internal Supplies” catalogs.
  2. Click the magnifying glass. (Important: Do not enter any information in the search bar.)
  3. Select from the list of available COVID-19-related safety supplies.
  4. Use your regular FAS account number for your purchase. (Note: Guidance from our auditors indicates that COVID-19 FAS accounts established for units should not be used for these purchases.)
  5. Submit the requisition as you normally would in BuySite.
  6. Once the order is fully approved, it will be routed to the Facilities Services Inventory Team for delivery. Our goal is to deliver the supplies within 1-2 business days of the unit placing the order, subject to demand.
  7. Please note: There are shortages and other supply chain disruptions to many COVID-19-related supplies nationwide. Thanks to the University’s supplier relationships, including the partnership with the Medical Center, we were able to purchase bulk quantities of the items listed in the catalogs to secure product and leverage pricing. We ask that departments only order the current amounts of supplies they need to ensure adequate supply for everyone returning to campus

 Review and submit the online attestation.

1. Review your division/school’s implementation plan here and research resumption roles and responsibilities here.
2. Develop your research resumption plan (RRP) using your division/school’s required form.
3. Follow the steps below and described further in the “Take Action” section. You will need to:
   1. Submit your RRP through the University’s webform. This will direct your RRP and additional information to your Department Chair and Dean for review and approval
   2. Complete a current attestation for researchers.
   3. Order any necessary PPE to ensure adequate supplies of are available for your research team. You are encouraged to order PPE through BuySite.

You must strictly adhere to your RRP, plus any guidelines established by the University and your division.

With guidance from University of Chicago Medicine and public health experts as well as input from leaders across campus, we’ve developed the  Guide to Resuming In-Person Activities  to provide you with information and support for returning to the workplace. In it you’ll find details about the University’s health and safety requirements, guidance for adhering to social distancing requirements while in offices, cubicles, hallways, elevators, and other spaces, wellness resources, and more. The guide is updated frequently as new information and resources become available. Read the guide .

The Leaders and Managers Guide to the Resumption of In-Person Activities has been developed specifically for leaders and managers with policies, tools, and recommendations, including health and safety protocols and guidance on using campus space safely, to help you plan and prepare for your employees’ return to campus. The guide is updated frequently as new information and resources become available. Read the guide.

Guidance For Non-Laboratory Research

To access divisional implementation plans, log into this Box folder using a valid CNET ID. Plans will be added to this folder as they are approved and updated.

Please consult the latest University protocols and guidance before making any travel plans.

Resources are available for travel planning, including details on field research safety.

Beginning Winter Quarter 2021:

1. An undergraduate is no longer required to have at least one year of prior experience in the PI’s laboratory; and
2. The PI must identify who will serve as the undergraduate’s direct student supervisor and document (e.g., via an email) the supervisor’s agreement to supervise the student.

The other research resumption requirements and guidelines are unchanged and, as a reminder, include:

3. Adherence to the universal masking, hand hygiene, and other COVID-19 related public health practices within the laboratory.
4. The undergraduate’s completion of a current attestation
5. Completion of relevant lab safety training (e.g., biosafety, chemical hygiene, laser or radiation safety training, general lab safety) which can be found at ORS training.
6. At this time, minors are not permitted in the research labs.

Note: It is still the case that undergraduates who are not enrolled in the College are not eligible to participate in on-campus research activities via the “Educational Assignments” process, which will remain suspended until further notice.

The Research planning group has developed and provided criteria and guidance to University Divisions and Schools in restarting and continuing research operations in their units. This is an ongoing effort as conditions and government policies require updated policies and processes. The group also serves as the monitoring body to oversee the resumption of research activities.

The following principles guide the committee in considering the phased resumption of research activities:

• The health and safety of all individuals must be the primary focus of all activities,
• Research resumption will need to occur in stages,
• Resumption will be based on the prevailing conditions of the University, healthcare system and governmental restrictions, and
• Plans will need to anticipate the prospect of cyclic changes, including the sudden need for research ramp-down.

The Research Resumption Working Group is working closely with deans and faculty on implementation plans for their respective units. The committee continues to develop centralized guidance for future phases of research resumption.

Note: Italics signify faculty members.