Research reboot Phase 1 – animal facilities

May 21. 2020

The OVCRGE will soon present guidance and an online process for PIs to use to request a gradual restart to onsite research. In their request, PIs will report to their department chairs their proposed use of animals, and onsite research plans will not be permitted to commence without approval. We anticipate that approved research will not likely begin until at least early June.

Please note that PIs should not order animals prior to approval. The research restart will be gradually phased in, with careful input and monitoring from campus and public health leaders. Lab staff numbers and other facility safety considerations could dictate the number of animals feasible for use during the phase-in. We will rely on PIs to communicate to animal facilities directly that their research has been approved and to share their needs with facility managers.

We expect there to be significant changes to workplace practices as research programs begins to ramp up. We continue to work with campus and public health leaders to determine the specific restrictions and limits in place, all of which will be designed to keep employees safe while also permitting a gradual increase in research and other scholarly activities. This will likely include limits to the number and density of people in campus buildings and rooms at any given time, new cleaning and hygiene practices, access to PPE, and more. All approved activities may be subject to additional review and restrictions by dean or the VCRGE.

In general, we will expect all personnel to follow public health guidelines. Campus continues to consult guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Public Health Madison and Dane County, University Health Services, Environmental Health and Safety and more.

We expect to share more specific guidance for increased campus operations soon.

Thank you,

Nadine

Nadine P. Connor, PhD

Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders; Surgery

Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Policy and Compliance

University of Wisconsin-Madison

500 Lincoln Drive

Madison WI 53706

(608) 262-1044