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UPDATE: Guiding a Color-Coded Tiered Approach to Ramping Up Laboratory Research Activities

Published October 13, 2020
Simon Kim, AVP for Research & Sponsored Programs

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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

OFFICE OF RESEARCH & SPONSORED PROGRAMS

 

DATE:            October 12, 2020 

TO:                 Deans and Associate Deans for Research 

FROM:           Simon Kim, AVP for Research & Sponsored Programs

 

SUBJECT:     UPDATE: Guiding a Color-Coded Tiered Approach to Ramping Up Laboratory Research Activities

 

In keeping with the most recent guidelines issued by the State of California, the CSU and the  University’s broader “Return to Work” and “Return to School” planning, ORSP’s “phased” approach to laboratory research on campus has been updated to reflect the latest guidelines.

 

Please note that strict requirements will remain in place to maintain the safety of the workplace, and any movement between phases will continue to happen cautiously and gradually. We will continue to monitor public health information and, should negative indicators develop, we will dial research activity back down. We expect a very gradual and thoughtful increase in the number of CSULB personnel carrying out in-person research. In addition, restrictions on research requiring travel will also be in place and reviewed as necessary.

 

ORSP plans to ramp-up laboratory research through the implementation of a four-tiered approach: 

  • WIDESPREAD (CURRENT) represents access restricted to essential personnel and research only. For more information on this phase please visit the ORSP website.
  • substantial represents a degree of relaxed access, as permitted by guidelines with priority given to time sensitive research activities.
  • moderateprovides increased relaxation on permitting new research to be initiated and opening most research activity but maintaining social distancing and limiting human interaction guidelines in place.
  • minimalis a return to business as usual with full campus and research activities resuming.

This plan is also flexible enough to enable the swift ramp down of research to an earlier tier in response to changing circumstances at the University. Additional restrictions may be warranted based on guidelines from the Chancellor’s Office or local public health agencies. Below ORSP has developed a table that provides criteria that will be required in each phase and the time frame of each phase. This table will be updated as the authorities provide guidance and in collaboration with the Universities broader orders to resume to normal activities.

 

TIER

CRITERIA

TIME PERIOD

widespread

RESEARCH CONTINUITY ONLY

  • Research and program facilities are closed, except where research and personnel are deemed essential. Implementation of strict social distancing and limited human interactions in place.
  • Laboratory research plans must be approved by Provost’s Office.
  • Must request permission or authorization to be on campus for an extended period. No laboratory research materials taken home except for laptops, hard drives, books.
  • All research that can be done remotely should continue.

Current

substantial

RESEARCH EFFORT INCREASED TO 35% *

  • Maintain social distancing and regulate max occupancy per building (e.g., 115 sf/person).
  • Plans must be approved by Dean’s Office.
  • Allow research for experiments close to completion, or deadline driven, whose pause or deferral would lead to catastrophic delay or loss of research results.
  • Animal experiments where a delay would result in euthanasia or loss of a colony.
  • Prioritize access to campus facilities for graduate students and senior undergraduates close to completing their degree/term of appointment.
  • Prioritize research for completion of grants with end dates within 3 months.
  • Allow access to single occupancy offices 1-3 days/week for work that cannot be done elsewhere.

TBD

moderate

RESEARCH EFFORT INCRESED TO 75% *

  • Maintain social distancing and regulate max occupancy per building (e.g., 115 sf/person).
  • Plans must be approved by Dean’s Office.
  • Resume research and program activities where social distancing and limited human interactions can be demonstrated but limited to 75% of normal capacity.
  • Prioritize access to campus facilities for graduate students and senior undergraduates close to completing their degree/term of appointment.
  • Allow access to single occupancy offices 3-5 days/week.

TBD

minimal

RESEARCH AT 100% EFFORT

  • Consider removing all COVID 19 SOPs.
  • Allow all lab, program and field research activities.

 

TBD

 * "% research effort" is a combination of number of researchers and hours worked. Faculty to define what this means for their lab as part of their written social distancing plans. These plans to provide a research density at lab and building levels which mitigates risk.

 

cc:       Jane Close Conoley, President

            Brian Jersky, Provost and Senior Vice President

            Scott Apel, Vice President for Administration and Finance

            George Alfaro, Director of EH&S

            Kimberly Fodran, Chief of Medical Staff