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:
(CURRENT) represents access restricted to essential personnel and research only. For more information on this phase please visit the ORSP website.
represents a degree of relaxed access, as permitted by guidelines with priority given to time sensitive research activities.
provides 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.
is 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 |
|
|
Current |
|
RESEARCH EFFORT INCREASED TO 35% *
|
TBD |
|
RESEARCH EFFORT INCRESED TO 75% *
|
TBD |
|
RESEARCH AT 100% EFFORT
|
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