Positive COVID-19 Cases, Mask Policy, Return of Undergrads

Simon Hall Update

I would like to update you with the limited information I have on the positive COVID-19 cases reported on the second floor of Simon Hall.  In one of the two MCB groups, one person had tested positive. PSIA had not considered that the other group members, including the advisor, were in close contact. However, they were all independently tested, and their results were negative.  Both labs that had positive case(s) voluntarily halted their research activities for two weeks.  Regarding shutting down laboratory operations, again, chairs as of now are not in the communication loop when cases are reported to PSIA.  PSIA will presumably advise on further safety measures on a case-by-case basis.

Mask policy and sanctions

This policy recognizes that current understanding about transmission is evolving, and that this policy will evolve in response.  Failure or deliberate refusal to comply with the health and safety guidance and directions adopted by the university to combat the spread of COVID-19, including failure or deliberate refusal to wear a mask in compliance with this policy, shall constitute an act of “serious personal and professional misconduct” that may result in sanctions, including termination, pursuant to ACA-52.  Disciplinary proceedings will be referred to the campus academic affairs office.

https://policies.iu.edu/policies/ua-21-sanctions-non-compliance-covid19/index.html

Compliance on campus and in the department

Campus (and the department) takes these precautions seriously because our collective safety depends on each of us being mindful.  While we are advised not to aggressively confront each other when we see non-compliance, we are nevertheless encouraged to take some action.  A friendly reminder to colleagues who forget masks or the one-at-a-time elevator rule goes a long way.  Discussions with your office and lab mates, or your advisor or supervisor is also useful if you have concerns about procedures or behavior.  If you see workers from the renovation or elsewhere who aren't following the rules, either by not wearing masks or entering rooms that take them over capacity without prior arrangement, please let me or Jon Karty know. You can additionally continue to use the anonymous portal with suggestions and concerns.  If you observed flagrant misconduct and do not feel comfortable giving detailed reporting within the department, you can use the anonymous campus-level reporting form  (via ethicspoint, goes to IU general counsel office).  For more responsive action, you can also include your contact information.

Return of Undergrads

Undergraduates have started to arrive on campus, with testing taking place in the stadium parking lot. Undergrads have been heavily messaged with very strict mask and social distancing requirements.  Nonetheless, news of outbreaks accompanying return to other campuses should motivate heightened caution on our parts.  We will be keeping doors to the Chemistry addition locked, to discourage undergrad traffic in research areas (thanks to anonymous suggestion).

Undergrads in Lab

The restart plan still states, “Undergraduates generally will not be permitted to participate in on-campus research.” Given item 4, our need to minimize traffic in research areas, the collective need to avoid close-contact typically necessary in training new students, and the need to keep numbers in lab at a minimum, only experienced undergraduate students who will not require training should be admitted to labs.   Undergraduate researchers enrolled in a research for class credit have been receiving the link to the exception application portal, which must be completed by their advisor.  This application must also be completed for any undergraduate you are confident can safely work in your lab.  https://research.iu.edu/coronavirus/undergraduate-student-exception-request-form.html

Signage/occupancies

Elevators have been deemed to be safe for 2 people, per a July 22 CDC update (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html#:~:text=For%20COVID%2D19%2C%20a%20close,time%20the%20patient%20is%20isolated.).  Updated and additional signage will be appearing throughout the building over the coming days.  See also https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/office-buildings.html and https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/08/869595720/the-office-elevator-in-covid-times-experts-weigh-in-on-safer-ups-and-downs

As a reminder, any changes to the level of research being conducted in Chemistry labs must still comply with all of the restart requirements, and PIs should submit a revised plan that has been thoroughly discussed with their group members.

FAQ Section

on the COVID page addressing frequently raised questions or concerns submitted through the anonymous portal will be added in the coming days.