Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and the transition to remote operations, new procedures for University of Nebraska–Lincoln research facilities and personnel are in effect.

Starting March 20, all academic buildings’ exterior doors will be locked and will require NCard access. Those who do not have the needed access should contact their appropriate key managers or deans/directors.

Access to all university research services will continue remotely, including sponsored programs, proposal development, compliance, communications and industry relations.

Research and creative activities will continue, with some exceptions listed below. Investigators are urged to use appropriate safety and social distancing practices, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between people. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to conduct research and creative activities remotely as much as possible.

Faculty or research directors are to decide what research can be conducted or initiated in their labs. Additional approval — beyond research compliance approvals ‚— is not required to continue ongoing research.

Per Office of Research and Economic Development guidelines, the following research activities are currently suspended:

• Research involving in-person contact with human subjects.

• All unpaid undergraduate student engagement in research that cannot be done remotely.

• Initiation of new experiments with animals.

Undergraduate workers paid to engage in research and creative activities may continue, following the recommended safety practices noted above, at the discretion of faculty or research directors. Undergraduates engaged in research and creative activity to earn course credit or as volunteers may continue only if activities can occur remotely.

Investigators are urged to monitor the COVID-19 research planning webpage website, the university’s COVID-19 website, Nebraska Today, and Research and Economic Development’s social media channels for updated policies and additional guidance.

Questions may be directed to Deb Hamernik, associate vice chancellor for research, at unlresearch@unl.edu with a copy sent to the appropriate college’s associate dean for research.