This page will be updated regularly as new guidance and information is shared by state and federal entities. Please use the UO webform to submit questions you have and check back to this site frequently.

NOTE: The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) also has a helpful FAQ.

Research Facilities and Lab Safety

Section last updated June 9, 2021 at 8:45am.

What research activities are currently permitted? How do I obtain approval to conduct research?

UPDATED  Do changes in county risk levels change approved research recovery activities?

The framework for research recovery remains the same.  When the county operates under the "Low Risk" category (or equivalent if outside of Oregon), group meetings, included thesis/dissertation defenses, are permitted, provided they adhere to the following:

• • Meetings must be in spaces that allow for 36sqft/person.
  • Masks required
  • No eating

The following guidance is applicable to all stages while the county operates under the "Extreme Risk" category:

• All meetings are required to be conducted using remote technology.
• Trainings must utilize remote technology whenever possible.
• Visitors to campus, including participants in human subjects research, are only allowed within the appropriate research facility and must be escorted by UO personnel at all times.

NEW I have planned travel for research this summer.  What approvals do I need?  

Please follow the guidance on the UO Travel page for the full process.  For research travel, you will be expected to upload either a copy of your approved Research Recovery Plan or the confirmation email from Smartsheet for your Stage 1 and 2 Research Registration form in Concur.

What are the basic standards that all research groups should employ for cleaning protocols and physical distancing?

PIs and wet/dry laboratory personnel should follow all standard cleaning and operation protocol for working with infectious agents. 

In addition, all research groups should comply with the following protocol:

1. Wearing appropriate PPE designated for your research group’s operations and removing it safely.  In addition to complying with university guidance mandating face coverings, researchers conducting face-to-face human subjects research (HSR) should wear gloves and other protective barriers as appropriate, such as face shields, eye protection, and/or lab coats.
   
   1. Note: Lab coats and laundering services as provided by the UO Lab Coat Program.
2. Routinely decontaminating high touch surfaces that are used for lab work or are frequently touched (benchtops, equipment buttons/handles/lids, drawer pulls, workstations, doorknobs, faucets, etc.). Decontaminating surfaces using cleaners that the EPA has approved for other environmental surfaces, such as an EPA-registered disinfectant (refer to list N here) or 70% ethanol solution.
3. Prohibiting eating, drinking, and the use of shared cell phones or ear buds.
4. Washing hands upon entering and before exiting research areas.

If your team is using 70% ethanol, please ensure you are following EHS guidelines for safe use and storage, given that it is a class IB flammable liquid. Please follow Environmental Health and Safety’s guidance for physical hazards. Please call the central EHS contact line (541-346-3192) with questions.

In addition to cleaning protocols, ensure that your staff are all following physical distancing guidelines. Current UO guidance mandates maintain 6ft physical distance at all times and requires a minimum of 150ft2 per person while conducting research.  This may require you to stagger shifts of team members.

UPDATED I have new personnel joining my group.  How do I update my approved recovery plan? 

If you need to add new personnel to your research activities, please ensure that all new personnel complete the New Personnel Registration Form and review the Stage 1 and 2 Research Protocols before beginning any work.

I need to bring in a representative from an outside company or institution to my lab.  How do I request approval?

Please complete the OVPRI On-Campus Research Guest Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the visit. Note: Many companies visiting campus to perform instrument repairs or similar functions are asking for signed invitation letters before coming to campus. PIs do not have the authority to sign these letters, but Research IMT can assist in getting appropriate review and signatures where necessary. For such cases, please give as much advance notice as possible since in many cases revisions to the letters have been necessary.  

UPDATED For allowable research activities that involve researchers and/or participants being within 6ft of distance for 15 minutes or less (with appropriate PPE, barriers, etc), can we use a location that does not meet the established criteria for square feet per person?

Yes.  While the Research IMT (as of 5/17/21) stipulates that there must be at least 100 sq. ft. of space for each researcher in each location, brief duration training that meets the Stage 1 and 2 Research Protocols can occur in smaller spaces.  Such close proximity training or research activity can only occur once per hour for indoor locations.

What guidelines do you have for providing a safe, indoor space for personnel to eat while on campus? 

We recommend that research groups identify a location for staff to eat lunch individually.  We recommend that you implement a scheduling and cleaning protocol to allow a brief window between sessions of staff eating and do not permit eating together indoors.

Do I need to use a lab coat?

There is no requirement to use a lab coat where it is not otherwise a standard for the type of research activity being performed. However, we strongly encourage everyone conducting on campus research activity to utilize the UO lab coat program, which provides lab coats and laundering at no cost to research labs, teaching lab staff, and departments. Learn more about their services here.

UPDATED What do I do if I forget my mask before coming to campus, or do not have one?

Individual disposable masks are available at the card office in the EMU. 

Someone in my research group believes they have been exposed to COVID-19. Where can I find guidance on how to report this concern and how to ensure safety for other members of the team who need to come to the lab to maintain critical functions?

The first step is to contact UO ELR at uoelr@uoregon.edu. They will walk you through a multistep process to address case management and guide you through the proper procedures. Please also refer to the following guidance developed by Human Resources: Supervisor Guidance for Employee Exposure Concerns.

What do I do if I encounter someone on campus who is not complying with the UO face-covering policy? 

If you are a supervisor and one of your employees is noncompliant, please refer to the guidance be found here. If you are not a supervisor but have concerns about those you work with, guidance can be found here. If the noncompliant person is a guest or contractor of the university, please report your concern via this form.

UO Employee and Labor Relations are also happy to answer any specific questions or help with employee coaching. They can be contacted at uoelr@uoregon.edu.

Can I require my staff to get tested for COVID-19 before coming to campus or joining my lab?

No. Please see the Testing, Contact Tracing, and Case Management FAQs for information about testing at UO.

I do not feel comfortable coming in to conduct research activities. What resources are available to help me?

Please consult the COVID-19 Resources for Faculty and Staff on the Human Resources webpage and work with your HR Partner as needed to address this concern.

I have suggestions for how to safely ramp up research activity on campus for later phases of re-opening. Where do I send these suggestions?  

We appreciate the advice and insight from our community of researchers. Please email your suggestions to ResearchIMT@uoregon.edu.

Vaccination Planning

Section last updated June 9, 2021 at 8:45am.

The UO is supporting the state and local health agencies charged with leading public COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Oregon. Lane County Public Health (LCPH) is responsible for decisions around vaccine allocation to institutions within the county, including the UO. LCPH will coordinate vaccine clinics where UO employees can receive doses as they become eligible under state and federal distribution priorities and the vaccines becomes available.

UPDATED How do I get vaccinated?

Research IMT and OVPRI are not responsible for coordinating vaccination prioritization or clinics. Please refer to the UO’s information on testing and vaccination.

Research Grants, Contracts and Competitive Awards 

Section last updated December 18, 2020 at 1:25 pm.

Federal Guidance and Resources

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) maintains a comprehensive website with Institutional and Agency Responses to COVID-19 and Additional Resources which contains an up-to-date list of federal agency guidance for everything from to proposal submission and award impact. In addition, COGR released as Research Ramp Up Roadmap we encourage you to review as we move in reopening operations.

My sponsored research now requires the use of PPE and face coverings for human subjects research. Are these allowable costs to charge to a grant?

If the PPE would not typically be required and not typically provided by the unit, then it is likely an allowable cost since it would be required to complete the HSR and scope of work for the award. Please consult with SPS Post-Award to confirm allowability. 

If the PPE is usually required and is already routinely provided by units for lab work under their ICC or general supplies, then the cost would not be allowable. 

Please see the most recent guidance for charging PPE on NIH grants here.

What about my upcoming grant proposal? Will it still be submitted?

UO’s Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) will continue to provide comprehensive services pertaining to grants, contracts, and competitive awards. The unit is working remotely and submitting proposals without interruption. Please create an EPCS record for any anticipated grant submissions to help SPS manage workloads.

Sponsors are providing guidance regarding extended deadlines and late submissions due to COVID-19. This guidance is rapidly evolving and at present questions are being handled on a case-by-case basis. Please see the list of federal guidance above that we are working to update as often as possible. 

UPDATED I have upcoming project-related travel and/or fieldwork? Will I still be able to go?

If you need to conduct travel related to research, you first need an approved Research Recovery plan or Research Registration Form before you will be approved to travel. For information on UO travel or to seek a travel waiver, visit the COVID-19 travel page.

What if my travel is canceled and I have non-refundable costs? Can I charge them to my award?

When an emergency or natural disaster prevents travel and non-refundable costs cannot be applied to future travel, sponsors allow these costs to be charged to sponsored awards. Cancellation and change fees can also generally be charged to sponsored awards but require confirmation from the sponsor. Refundable travel costs remain encumbered but are not charged to an award account until ready to reuse.

The federal government and the state of Oregon have not yet issued guidance for travel cancellations on sponsored awards. We will provide updates as soon as possible.

My research has been disrupted due to COVID-19.  What will happen to my award funds?  Will the funds still be available to complete the project when I can resume my project?

Yes, the funds will still be available. If changes caused by the UO remote education model or other disruptions leave insufficient time remaining for your period of performance, please request a no-cost extension (NCE) from the sponsor to ensure there is time to complete the project. There is a high likelihood of getting an extension. Sponsor-specific guidance is listed below and more will be disseminated as soon as possible.

• NIH: The agency will continue to publish opportunities for funded extensions and/or one-time administrative supplements to current awards targeted at institutions in particularly impacted areas. Visit the NIH website for guidance.
• NSF: Each NSF award allows for a one-year grantee-approved (SPS) no-cost extension. Further extensions must be approved by NSF. If anticipated, this should be discussed with the NSF program officer. Visit the NSF website for guidance.

I am currently on an NIH training grant and am unable to work due to laboratory disruptions. Will I still receive my stipend payments?

Yes. The NIH issued guidance (NOT-OD-20-086) that institutions may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of or related to COVID-19. Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) will be reaching out to the PIs and DGAs of all active NIH training grants (T32 and F grants) to confirm that payment of stipends should continue as usual. SPS will manage notification of grant management officials for each active training grant.

Can I still charge participant support costs to my award for conference or training events that have been canceled?

This depends on the type of participant support.  Please see the following scenarios:

1. Participant travel allowances: These costs should be handled the same as other travel costs. When an emergency or natural disaster prevents travel and non-refundable costs cannot be applied to future travel, sponsors allow these costs to be charged to sponsored awards. Cancellation and change fees can also generally be charged to sponsored awards but require confirmation from the sponsor. Costs that can be applied to future travel should be moved to a non-sponsored fund until they are utilized for travel.
2. Participant registration fees: Participant registration fees are usually refundable for canceled events.  If not, please contact SPS (sponsoredprojects@uoregon.edu) to have them confirm allow-ability to charge the project for any non-refundable portion or cancellation fee with the sponsor.
3. Participant stipends: This will depend on the nature of the event.
   
   1. If a short-term educational or research activity, conference, workshop, etc., has started, but is now postponed or canceled, payments can be made to the participants for the completed portion. 
   2. In the case of a long-term educational experience, stipend payments are typically made along milestones or on a schedule.  Payments can be made to participants for completed portions.  For incomplete portions or future involvement, please contact SPS to have them confirm allow-ability with the sponsor.
   3. In a case where travel plans were made but canceled prior to the participants engaging in the activity or program, follow the guidance for travel cancellations.  In these instances, stipends are likely not allowable.  Please reach out to SPS for additional review and determinations.

Research Involving Human Subjects 

Section last updated May 17, 2021

UPDATED What are the current restrictions for human subjects research (HSR)?

On November 2, 2020, UO Stage 2 was initiated specifically to help expand research opportunities available to human subject researchers. As of May 17, 2021, Stages 1 and 2 have been combined.  Please review the guidance for UO Stages 1 and 2 to understand what restrictions are currently in place.

UPDATED What types of face-to-face human subjects research are permitted?

Please see our Staged Approach for Restarting Research Activity for activities permitted. Researchers need to consider both their own research teams and their participant populations when developing and implementing prevention measures that align with CDC recommendations. All individuals visiting campus for any studies my wear a face covering to comply with UO policies.

Research activities must follow best practices (see the following questions) to ensure physical distancing, screening for illness, and enhanced cleaning. 

See the comprehensive Guidance on Engaging in Human Subject Research during OVPRI Research Recovery Stages regarding:

• additional investigator responsibilities,
• contact tracing disclosure and tracking requirements,
• requirements for conducting face-to-face interactions including inclusion/exclusion criteria for participants,
• guidelines for submitting amendments and event reports.

How can I adapt my study for remote engagement?

Strategies for continuing human subjects research without face-to-face interaction include:

• Engage in remote data collection research activities, via modalities such as telephone, mail, secure web platforms, or secure video platforms, like Zoom. 
• Researchers are encouraged to use secure resources supported by UO such as:
  
  • UO Qualtrics for survey administration.
  • UO Zoom for interviews and observations.  A HIPAA compliant version of Zoom may be available if you handle HIPAA-regulated data.
  • Visit the UO Service Catalog for more information on UO supported tools and information security.
• Remember that recruitment and consent procedures may need to be amended to account for changes in your research administration and/or new risks associated with privacy and confidentiality that are introduced with the use of remote technologies. 
• See below to determine when an amendment may be required when adapting your research for remote administration.
• Research Compliance Services is available to provide guidance and support to find solutions.

UPDATED Is there a time limit for how long people can be in close proximity under UO Stages 1 and 2?

While there is not a hard limit, any activities that can take place while maintaining 6ft of physical distance should continue to be done as such.  On-campus research protocols requiring work in close proximity for > 15 minutes between UO employees is permissible (lab meetings are not considered part of a research protocol and therefore must comply with expectations for physical distancing; training activities are considered part of a research protocol). 

What are the HSR guidelines for participants being “symptom free?”

We recommend that researchers use the standards outlined in the UO self-check procedures.

What provisions do I need to make to my face-to-face human subjects research under UO Stages 1 and 2?

You will need to evaluate and revise research operating procedures as well as train research team members to ensure the:

• Activities are consistent with permitted activities listed on a Staged Approach for Restarting Research Activity
• Guidance on Engaging in Human Subject Research during OVPRI Research Recovery Stages is followed
• You comply with OVPRI cleaning and distancing best practices

What do I need to address when recruiting and screening participants?

It is expected that you incorporate additional procedures and criteria for screening participants during recruitment and prior to their arrival on campus.  Procedures must be approved by the IRB if these are not already addressed in your IRB approved protocol. 

Procedures must include the following:

• Inform participants of cleaning and distancing protocols to be implemented in your study.
• Inform participants that all visitors to campus are required to wear face coverings as per UO policy. Inquire if a face covering will need to be provided to the participant upon arrival.
• Inform participants that they will be asked to review and complete a Contact Tracing Disclosure Form before they can be consented to participate. See FAQ below for additional details about contact tracing disclosure requirements.
• Screen participants for illness and/or travel prior to arrival and encourage participants to practice illness prevention. We recommend using the standards in the UO self-check procedures.
• Provide prevention and mitigation information to participants prior to research visits (if possible).
• Provide contact information so participants can notify the research team prior to arrival if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness so they can be rescheduled.

What about contact tracing and the possibly of having to disclose confidential participant information?  What do I need to do?

You need to anticipate that it may be necessary to disclose personally identifiable information about a participant in order to comply with public health contact tracing program requirements. A Contact Tracing Disclosure Form was created to include disclosure language about this institutional requirement and the inherent limitations to confidentiality that contact tracing may present.

Before an individual is consented to participate in the research, they must review and complete the Contact Tracing Disclosure Form. 

See the comprehensive Guidance on Engaging in Human Subject Research during OVPRI Research Recovery Phases for more details about contact tracing procedures.

Do I need to amend my human subjects protocol and/or seek IRB approval when preparing for COVID-19?

In general, you must adhere to your IRB approved protocol. Below are guidelines for when an amendment to an already approved IRB protocol may be required and when an event report may be required.

• No Submission Requirements: IRB review and amendments to previously approved research are not required when:
  
  • Implementing or enhancing cleaning and disinfecting protocols and/or amending communication methods with research team members and human subjects to prevent the spread of illness.
  • When participant for inclusion and the modified activities required in Section III., B.  do not conflict with the IRB approved protocol materials.

• Protocol Deviation Requiring Event Report Submission: Investigators may implement temporary changes immediately and then submit an Event Report Form as soon as possible. Temporary changes might include:
  
  • Adding or changing research procedures temporarily (e.g., from in-person to telephone)
  • Conducting a research visit outside of an established time frame in the approved protocol
• Protocol Change Requiring Amendment and Approval: IRB review and approval of an amendment is required prior to making changes beyond a deviation, such as:
  
  • Making long-term or permanent changes to research methods that are designed to continue after COVID-19 restricted.
  • Adding a sub-study and/or revised methods to study COVID-19 in ongoing research.
  • Adopting changes for future use, such as using online surveys for the remainder of study when they were not previously approved or the research previously included in-person interviews only
  • When participants for inclusion and/or the modified activities required above in Section III., B. conflict with the IRB approved protocol materials.

In all cases, clear documentation of deviations, amendments, and other adjustments due to COVID-19 should be made in your research records. Contact Research Compliance Services (researchcompliance@uoregon.edu or 541-346-2510) if you have questions specific to your research.

What type of PPE is required for conducting face-to-face human subjects research? 

Face coverings and disposable gloves must be worn by all research personnel and face coverings must be worn by all research participants while conducting face-to-face HSR.  Eye protection and lab coats are recommended (please see here for details about the UO lab coat program). 

Can I charge the PPE and face coverings required for HSR to my grant?

If the PPE would not typically be required, and not typically provided by the unit, then it is likely an allowable cost since it would be required to complete the HSR and scope of work for the award.  Please consult with SPS Post-Award to confirm allowability.

If the PPE is usually required and is already routinely provided by units for lab work under their ICC or general supplies, then the cost would not be allowable.

Please see the most recent guidance for charging PPE on NIH grants here.

Are research participants required to wear face coverings? 

Yes. Beginning on June 15, 2020, all persons on campus are required to wear a face covering. Please discuss this requirement, and the participant’s willingness and access to a face covering, during pre-screening calls.  If a participant is unwilling to comply with the requirement to wear a mask, they should be excluded from participation.

How is RCS prioritizing work given increased volume and limited reviewer availability during the COVID-19 outbreak?

RCS will continue to process all incoming submissions for human subject research review with prioritization given to the following areas:

• New research protocols related to/studying COVID-19
• Protocol amendments associated with changes due to COVID-19
• Continuing reviews
• New or amended protocols from students that are associated with degree-related priorities
• Reviews associated with grant or sponsor requirements and award administration
• Other rush requests, with justification

Investigators should clearly communicate their request for a prioritized review, with explanation and desired timeline when submitting to RCS. While RCS cannot guarantee a specific review timeline, this information will assist RCS in identifying and supporting these requests.  

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) continues to meet (remotely) twice per month and continues conducting reviews using expedited procedures per regulatory requirements. RCS continues to advise and facilitate determinations and IRB review for all submissions in the most timely manner possible.

When submitting priority transactions to RCS, investigators are asked to clearly communicate their request for a prioritized review that includes an explanation for the request and desired timeline. This will assist RCS in their efforts to best support these requests.

I want to get IRB approval in place for future research that includes activities not permitted under the current OVPRI Stage.  Can I get IRB approval?

Yes. Researchers may propose activities that are outside of the permitted activities under the current recovery stage.  While these will continue to be considered by the IRB, if approved, the approval will be issued with a contingency that restricted activities cannot commence until the OVPRI recovery stage permits.  The researcher will be encouraged to design the research in a way that generally aligns with the provisions in the Guidance on Engaging in Human Subject Research during OVPRI Research Recovery Stages when appropriate.

How has Research Compliance Services’ and the UO’s Institutional Review Board's day-to-day work been affected?

Research Compliance Services (RCS) and the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS), which serves as the UO’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), are currently continuing operations and are working remotely to sustain operations. However:

• Office hours and in-person consultations are suspended; all trainings and workshops are cancelled until further notice.
• Based on the scale of the community outbreak, there may be a delay in service to our research community.
• Other directives by federal and public authorities may require the modification of research activities in the future.

Please continue to communicate with RCS via phone and email (researchcompliance@uoregon.edu or 541-346-2510), and our team will respond as soon as possible.

Can I still provide human subjects payments to research study participants in the event that research is interrupted and they cannot complete the study?

Participants should be compensated for their participation and, whenever possible, compensation should be made in the case of cancellation or rescheduling needs resulting from illness or disruption due to COVID-19. Compensation, including payment and incentives for ongoing research, may continue using remote procedures. Research teams may need to create revised internal systems for compensation and gift card distribution and should consult with BAO as needed. In all cases, clear documentation of altered processes due to COVID-19 should be made in the research records.

Prorated compensation, including payments, are typically communicated with during the informed consent process. Studies should adhere to that schedule and payment should be made consistent with the amount of participation and the proration schedule. However, if proration was not described and/or studies are longitudinal in nature, please contact RCS (researchcompliance@uoregon.edu) to discuss how to manage adjustments to compensation for human subjects. 

Researchers should employ sanitation efforts and appropriate PPE to reduce risk of exposure and disease spread to both research teams and study populations when working with hard materials; please consider if alternative methods can be used (e.g., electronic gift cards). See the above FAQ regarding amendments vs. deviations if you need to adjust your method of compensation or contact RCS with questions.

Can you recommend preferred disinfectants to use in a human subject research setting?

Diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions, with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. See the CDC website for a complete list of CDC recommendations on effective disinfectants and procedures.

Are there special considerations or mitigation plans for the collection of biological samples from human subjects that must be followed?

The precautions we use for handling biological samples under all circumstances are sufficient for preventing the spread of COVID-19. These include:

• Wear gloves when obtaining and handling samples
• Practice sanitary handling, processing, and destruction of samples
• Wash hands before and after working with samples
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when obtaining or working with samples
• Continue to monitor information from the UO, OHA and CDC websites for updated information about prevention and precautions

Research Recovery Planning

Section last updated May 17, 2021 

UPDATED I am a graduate student seeking travel approval to conduct research.  Do I need to submit a research recovery plan?

If your research travel is part of your faculty advisor’s research projects, then your travel should be part of your PI’s research recovery plan or research registration form. If you are seeking to travel to conduct work solely related to your degree progress (i.e. dissertation work not associated with faculty research, Fulbright fellowship), please prepare and submit the UO Stage 1 and 2 research registration form, and then submit a Travel Waiver. 

My lab has an approved research recovery plan, but I am not regularly coming in to campus.  Am I still expected to complete the Commitment to Research Safety and Public Health each week?

No.  If you are not coming into campus on a regular basis, you do not need to complete the form each week.  However, you are expected to complete the form the week prior to scheduled visits to campus to conduct approach research activities.

UPDATED My research recovery plan includes travel. When should I submit my Research Registration Form and Travel Exception Request?

To allow adequate time for review, please submit your research recovery plan at least 1 week prior to your travel date.  If planned travel and research activities are not permitted under the current UO stage, please wait to submit a research registration form until 4-6 weeks of your intended date of travel, as allowances and guidance rapidly change.

I am a PI with multiple projects. Do I submit a plan for each project or a plan for my entire group?

Faculty PIs are only permitted to submit one research registration form for their entire research group. 

How many people from my group can conduct research each day?

Faculty PI research teams may have up to 50% of their approved personnel conduct work on campus or in the field at a given time, and PIs may round up to the nearest integer. For groups with 5 or fewer people, the number of approved personnel permitted at one time will be 3. 

To ensure physical distancing and to limit the total person density on campus, research spaces must provide at least 150 feet2 per person for simultaneous occupancy (i.e., for 2 people to share one space, it must be greater than 300 feet2 and be of a layout to support appropriate physical distancing).

UPDATED UO Stage 1 and 2 activities have the potential to generate close contacts within our research community.  What is considered a “close contact”?

Please see the UO COVID-19 Exposure Scenarios and Guidance for Students and Employees for the most up-to-date definition and information related to case management and contact tracing. 

Can plans include research activity during off-work hours?

Yes, however such activities must be safe to conduct with 1 person and with awareness that campus-support services are much more limited than normal, including on-campus staffing of incident response specialists. Additionally, personal safety after-dark is an increased risk due to few people navigating campus and near-campus pathways; building access should only be by well-lit routes and with access to telephone communication (https://map.uoregon.edu/s/night-safety).  As such, PI plans must indicate that any off-hours work must be safe to conduct and a mechanism to ensure safety (e.g., the individual conducting work off-hours texts or e-mails the PI or safety coordinator before and after conducting the research activities) must be included. Users who are not fully trained may not conduct work outside of regular business hours. 

UPDATED Who is notified when a recovery plan is accepted?

Upon submission of the UO Stage 1 and 2 Research Registration Form, the person completing the form, and the safety officer (if the form is being submitted on behalf of a group), will receive notification of plan approval. 

How can I train personnel in my lab on new techniques while maintaining physical distancing?

We encourage research groups to be creative in identifying new strategies for training personnel on new lab techniques and to share best practices with the Research IMT.  Recommendations to date include the development of training videos and the use of tools, like GoPro cameras, to demonstrate techniques for new users and to evaluate and provide feedback as new users perform these new activities in real-time. 

What are some tools for monitoring and ensuring compliance for personnel to maintain adequate physical distancing that I can include in my recovery plan?

Some examples of tools that have received approval include:

• Use of online calendars or Google sheets to coordinate scheduling activities
• Daily virtual/Zoom calls
• Signage and sign-ups
• Texting and communication between members of the faculty research group
  • Including check in with PI before/after activities – especially during after-hours use

What are recommended laboratory cleaning procedures that I can include in my recovery plan?

Some examples of procedures that have been approved include standard guidance provided by CDC and UO EHS, such as using 70% ethanol or other disinfecting wipes, keeping disinfection spray bottles near all shared spaces, using cleaning checklists and requiring handwashing on entering and exiting lab spaces.

What are recommended mechanisms for monitoring compliance for lab cleaning that I can include in my recovery plan?

Some examples of tools that have received approval include:

• Checklists to complete before and after starting work
• Log sheets for use
• Posting cleaning protocols, schedules, and highly visible paper logs for all shared spaces/instrumentation. Example log sheets and signage are available here.

How can research groups obtain necessary cleaning supplies?

Science Stores has increased their inventory of cleaning supplies and should be able to fulfill most orders quickly. Science Stores can help with item pickup and ordering as well. https://blogs.uoregon.edu/sciencestores/

What information should be included on lab signage?  Are there templates available?

Pl plans must indicate that signage regarding disinfection protocol for shared spaces, equipment, and instruments will be posted/circulated. EHS developed several examples that are available here. Depending on the layout of your lab space, you may also need to consider signage to direct flow of individuals in and out of lab (e.g., one-way traffic signs will be posted on the office doors to control traffic flow). We encourage you to post occupancy limitations for shared office/breakroom space. Additionally, please use Occupied/Unoccupied signs for microscope rooms, cell culture rooms, and small equipment rooms that have a one person maximum.

My research team works with human subjects and does not typically use PPE. How can we now obtain necessary PPE?

Science Stores has increased their inventory of basic PPE. You can access their inventory and place orders at: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/sciencestores/ 

Please keep in mind the lead time for certain items, such as surgical masks, may be several weeks and you will need to plan accordingly for those types of activities. 

What steps are required for engaging with Research Core Facilities for essential research activities?

Please consult with Research Core Facility directors in developing and implementing your research recovery plan. The following statement should be included in all PI plans involving RCFs: Access to core facilities will be coordinated with RCF directors following their approved procedures and policies for research-related activities.

Animals in Research 

Section last updated September 21, 2020, at 11:45 a.m.

I have animal subjects. What will happen to them in the event of a disruption to a project?

Care for animal subjects will be administered in accordance with established continuity plans and in compliance with all regulations. In the event of a complete campus closure, authorized personnel will ensure the continuation of animal care.

 

If you have general questions relevant for the entire research community, use the UO COVID-19 web form.

 

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