Research operations have transitioned from “maintenance-only mode” to resuming limited research activities. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are our number one priority. As of Tuesday, May 26, researchers have resumed limited, up to 25%, on-site research activity throughout the University. It is expected that anyone returning to campus for research will practice social distancing, utilize face masks in public areas of buildings, and practice good hygiene.
Laboratory building access should be dedicated to data collection, whereas data analyses, group meetings, and manuscript preparation should continue to be performed remotely. Research faculty, staff and graduate students will be the vanguard for our return to the campus; it is imperative that we as a community lead by example.
The Returning to Campus Research Activities webpage includes instructions for principal investigators to obtain approval for personnel associated with research activities. The process begins by submitting a web-form to elect personnel, request necessary resources for lab space (e.g., personal protective equipment), and completion of the required training module. Elected personnel will be required to complete a daily, health self-screening for any possible COVID-19 symptoms before reporting to campus and to self-isolate when necessary. A web-based scheduling tool will be utilized to enable teams to coordinate activities while maximizing social distancing.
Research, Campus, and Environmental Safety (RCES) continues to operate per normal schedule, with Safety team members available on campus. Laboratory waste pickups will continue, as needed, but schedules may be shifted. Research laboratories should submit waste pick-up requests using the online Laboratory Waste Pickup Request form. RCES staff will continue to assist Central Receiving in safely handling and delivering packages containing chemical, biological, or radiological materials to laboratories. Fire and Life Safety and Occupational Safety staff are also on campus to support ongoing safety needs.
In the event of a critical event, spill, or other laboratory emergency, please call UT Dallas police dispatch at 972-883-2222 or ext. 2222. Qualified vendors are prepared to support the campus with decontamination, should it be needed. Please call 972-883-7200 for general assistance.
The Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) is providing services to support the phased return to research, and is continuing to ensure animal health and welfare. Please provide LARC staff with a 24-hour notice for any extra supplies needed to ensure they can accommodate and set everything up before leaving for the day. To contact the LARC, please email:
Access to the Venture Development Center (VDC) and the Blackstone LaunchPad continues to be restricted. Only companies officially designated as essential entities and registered with the UT Dallas Police department may have access and allow employees to report for work. Other startups and current members of the VDC will have virtual access to resources. Questions should be directed to the VDC’s manager of operations and services, Kim Warren. Questions about Blackstone LaunchPad should be directed to Dresden Goldberg, the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s director of programs and operations.
UT Dallas researchers from across the University’s schools and laboratories have donated the following personal protective equipment to frontline medical personnel in both Dallas and Collin counties:
“As we’ve transitioned some of our research activities to functions that can be done remotely — such as writing papers and analyzing data — our laboratories have supplies that can be essential for maintaining the health and well-being of the DFW community and our health care providers,” said Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, vice president for research and professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas.
These donations represent the University playing its intended role as a community partner and in spearheading efforts that help strengthen North Texas.
If you have resources to donate, please email [email protected].
Priority Rating | Importance | Recovery Time |
---|---|---|
Critical | Function directly impacts the life, health, safety, or security of the UT Dallas community and stopping would have significant consequences. | < 4 hours |
High | Function must continue at normal or increased level. Pausing for more than 24 hours may cause significant consequences or serious harm to business operations, upstream and downstream dependent organizations or units, revenue and finances, reputation, or other core mission services. | < 24 hours |
Medium | Function must be continued if at all possible, perhaps in reduced mode. Stopping for more than one week may cause major disruption to business operations, upstream and downstream dependent organizations or units, revenue and finances, or other core mission services. | < 1 week |
Low | Function could be suspended for up to one month without causing significant disruption to business operations, upstream and downstream dependent organizations or units, revenue and finances, or other core mission services. | < 1 month |
Deferrable | Function may pause and resume when conditions permit. Deferring this function for more than one month may cause slight disruption to business operations, upstream and downstream dependent organizations or units, revenue and finances, or other core mission services. | > 1 month |
© The University of Texas at Dallas