Research Recovery Update: Activate Your Research Group for Phase 3

TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:

I am writing today with an update on BU’s phased return to research, including changes coming in August, with Phase 3 of the state’s guidance and the University’s four-phase reopening process.

With the beginning of the fall semester and the start of on-campus classes on September 2, we are preparing to transition back to residential teaching, research, and education. The return of our students to campus, with a full slate of public health precautions, will begin in steps, the first being the return of some students to the BU Medical Campus. This will be followed by the return of undergraduate and graduate students to the Charles River Campus. The return of students will transform our campus experience to the “new normal” – one that is guided by new public health and safety protocols.

Below you’ll find an overview of what’s changing for research; instructions for faculty principal investigators (PIs) revising recovery plans for Phase 3; and new guidance for non-experimental research (e.g., computational, theoretical, observational), field and off-campus research, human subjects research, experiential learning placements, and in-person training.

While this is a time of transition for our community, some elements will remain the same for BU research as we move into Phase 3. Any administrative work that is not student-facing and can be done remotely should continue remotely. On-campus research will remain limited to those research groups that have submitted recovery plans and received formal approval from the Office of Research. And safety guidelines outlined in the Research Recovery Toolkit – including six-feet social distancing, sanitation protocols, etc. – remain in full effect for the safety of our faculty, staff, and students.

What’s Changing: Occupancy Limits 

Since we began our recovery effort in May, our plans have allowed for 30 percent density in experimental (“wet”) labs. As of August 1, research groups have the opportunity to increase lab occupancy, in accordance with state advisories, following approval from the Office of Research (details below).

We are still encouraging remote work when practical, and all plans and schedules should continue to strive for appropriate de-densification of the workspace whenever possible. In labs, appropriate de-densification means limiting on-campus work to critical use of bench/lab space or equipment (ensuring students and staff are not in close proximity for extended periods and avoiding unnecessary congregation).

Within this context, occupancy limits are changing as follows:

  • Non-experimental labs (theoretical, computational, observational, and all other “dry” or non-bench research that does not require on-campus equipment): PIs may opt to increase to 50 percent occupancy, to go into effect following formal approval from the Office of Research. All University and research-specific requirements must continue to be met, including six-feet distancing and appropriate de-densification, as defined above.
  • Experimental labs (“wet” or bench research that requires on-campus equipment): Occupancy limits may be set by the PI, to go into effect following approval from the Office of Research. These limits may exceed 50 percent, provided all University and research-specific requirements continue to be met, including six-feet distancing and appropriate de-densification, as defined above.
  • Offices or administrative spaces associated with labs: PIs may opt to increase to 50 percent occupancy, provided all University requirements can be met, including six-feet distancing.

What’s New: Field and Off-campus Research 

We have new guidance and a special planning template available for PIs ready to request approval to return to field or off-campus research using this web form. PIs previously approved to resume on-campus research are required to submit separate recovery plans for any planned field/off-campus research.

Updated Guidance: Human Subjects, In-person Training, and Experiential Learning

In addition to the new guidance available for field or off-campus research and our master guidance for research groups returning to campus, we have also rolled out guidance for human subjects research, in-person lab trainings, and off-site experiential learning placements. Please review these resources as relevant to your work and incorporate into new or revised plans as needed.

Action Required to Activate Research Groups

We are now accepting recovery plans from faculty PIs who wish to activate their research groups and/or increase lab density in August. PIs submitting recovery plans and personnel lists for the first time should follow instructions in the Research Recovery Toolkit. PIs amending a previously approved plan must revise and resubmit their recovery plan and personnel list using this simplified form. As a reminder, going forward, we request that all personnel lists please be submitted using our new, streamlined personnel template.

We will work with chairs and associate deans of research to review and approve submitted plans, with lab occupancy changes above the current 30 percent limit to take effect no sooner than August 1. New and revised plans must be approved by the Office of Research prior to any new personnel returning to campus.

Critically, this approval process triggers a symptom tracker survey emailed to all personnel approved for on-campus research. This daily survey is mandatory. Research personnel who do not fill it out risk losing their group’s approval status. PIs, please ensure your personnel are receiving and completing it every day they report to campus, or contact research@bu.edu with questions.

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Full details about BU’s return to on-campus research are available in the Research Recovery Toolkit. Thank you for your ongoing commitment, patience, and leadership as our research community moves forward into this next phase. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback.

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