Research Restart, Fall Instruction

Research Restart

Thanks to the groups who have submitted restart plans.  As noted late last week, restart has been postponed to early June per the email from Vice President for Research Fred Cate.  While we are all eager to restart our research programs, we cannot do so until there are basic things in place, such as cleaning materials and protocols provided by the several committees (one of which includes colleagues in public health and the IUSOM) making recommendations to Pres. McRobbie.  From VP Cate’s email:

“… the resumption of research activities also requires the larger IU Restart Committee that is considering the conditions under which any activities may resume to complete its work, the safe reopening of buildings that may have been closed for two months, and ensuring that we have an adequate supply of cleaning materials and PPE.”

Recommendations on interpersonal distancing, frequency of cleaning and wearing masks will be provided to us, as will cleaning supplies and PPE, which will augment departmental supplies.  In the meantime, we should continue to envision how our particular labs and facilities can comply with more general CDC guidelines.  All groups should keep lines of communication open within their groups, and groups with whom they share space or equipment, on the implementation of safe restart plans.

Fall Instruction

Plans for face-to-face teaching in the fall are still being formulated. While we are not getting regular updates on these plans, I can assure you the Campus and the College are considering things like physical barriers, abundance of cleaning supplies, dealing with student non-compliance with safety precautions, and heavy use of virtual instruction.   There are also discussions on childcare, though solutions to interruptions in childcare are more complex.

Of course, the situation continues to evolve. The phased reopening of businesses in Indiana and the rest of the country may result in flare-ups, which will force all universities to reconsider how fall instruction is conducted.

Thanks to you all for your patience and commitment to the health and well-being of our department.