Every individual person, lab/facility and activity that wishes to restart work on-site will eventually be required to be covered by an approved work plan. Faculty PIs and facility directors are encouraged to review the current plan template (.docx) so that they are familiar with the requirements. However, please note the following:

• Do not submit a plan for consideration unless asked to do so by your dean’s office.
• The plan template content and structure will likely change over time. Check periodically for new versions/updates before completing your own plan when requested to do so.

Research activities selected for inclusion in the initial pilot phase include those that must be performed on CMU premises. The selected activities will test our processes and compliance across a variety of use cases to help refine the processes that will be implemented as we gradually expand our return.

All return to on-site research plans will, at minimum, need to address the following health and safety compliance considerations as outlined by university policy:

• Physical distancing
• Anyone who is sick must stay home
• On-site personnel must undergo temperature checks when required
• Cloth facial coverings
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Hand washing

All projects/facilities seeking to return to on-site operations must hold a consultation with CMU Facilities Management and Campus Services (FMCS) to be advised on proper cleaning protocols as well as the roles and responsibilities of lab personnel and/or others (including FMCS) in ensuring regular cleaning and disinfecting of active spaces.  Details on these consults can be found in this back to work cleaning guidance (.PDF). 

In most cases, while FMCS can assist with an initial cleaning, it will be most appropriate for a lab to continue to oversee its own routine (daily) cleaning.

FMCS will facilitate the procurement of cleaning supplies and make them available to labs/facilities.  Through August 1, 2020, FMCS will cover the related expenses.  After August 1, the lab or department may incur a charge for cleaning supplies.

In all circumstances, FMCS will continue an expanded cleaning and disinfection regimen for common areas daily, based on scheduled occupancy.

As part of the return to on-site operations, every lab/facility must have a process to track the date, time and duration that personnel spend in a space. This information may be used to facilitate response processes such as contact tracing and cleaning in the event there is a positive COVID-19 case in a lab or building.

All approved projects/facilities will be required to provide a regular report (initially weekly) on plan execution and compliance issues. Details related to structure and content of weekly reports will follow once the plan submission review and approval process is complete.

As part of the plan to return to on-site operations, researchers are required to acknowledge their awareness of the university policies and procedures on the following:

• What to do if they feel ill, are exposed to and/or diagnosed with COVID-19 
• What the university response will be in the event of a positive diagnosis in a facility/area.

• All research faculty should have already developed continuity plans for their lab groups in preparation for a ramp down of research. A return of on-site research will require you to summarize these plans in the event that public health circumstances require another suspension or remote migration of research activities within 24 hrs.
• Use the researcher pandemic preparedness guide (a 2-page self-examination; .PDF) to help you with your plans.

Studies involving human subjects are not explicitly excluded from consideration during the pilot and subsequent expansion of on-site research activities. However, some human subject studies represent unique challenges with maintaining physical distancing and/or they are more likely to involve vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Thus, it may be prudent for some studies to continue to remain in remote operation until processes are more mature. Find more information below. 

Graduate students are vitally important to our research activities and when their research is returning to on-site work they can and should be included in the plans submitted for authorization to return. These plans are designed to ensure that all lab participants, including graduate students, are aware of and are able to meet the safety measures CMU is requiring for resumption of on-site activities. As we learn from our pilots and expand on-site research, graduate student program timing will be one factor that deans will be considering as they prioritize the order and pace at which activities return.

Students who have questions and concerns about their work or returning should discuss with their faculty advisor, their department and college, and as always can reach out to Amy Burkert, Vice Provost for Education, for additional guidance and support.