Guidance for Researchers

Dear Syracuse University Research Community,

The governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, including the most recent order for NY State on PAUSE from Gov. Cuomo, which directs all non-essential workers to work from home. Government and health leaders have pleaded with the public to increase social distancing measures to save the lives of vulnerable members of our community. As national and statewide mandates increase to control the spread of COVID-19, University recommendations and requirements are also changing.

For the safety of our entire Syracuse University research community, in-person data collection activities for non-essential human subjects research must pause until further notice. From a regulatory perspective, this is considered a temporary pause in human participant research activities for those studies impacted. In addition, all non-essential campus-based research activity must pause, and essential research activities conducted in campus-based facilities scaled back to a minimum. Effective immediately, no more than two people from any lab should occupy the lab at one time. Those that remain must be conducting essential research activities only. We will provide an online portal for the disclosure and approval of essential research activities to the University available at the Office of Research website.

The University will maintain minimal access to laboratories so that essential activities, including the maintenance of live animals and plants, microbes, cell lines, and essential equipment and materials, along with any research related to COVID-19, can continue. Research and scholarship (e.g., data analysis, manuscript preparation, presentation preparations, grant proposal preparations, online discussions with students and lab staff, invention disclosure preparations, etc.) that can occur remotely should continue remotely. More information about these requirements is provided on the COVID-19 Guidance for Researchers FAQ page. Please make sure you review this guidance before you proceed with your research.

We understand the disruption and stress caused by this situation, and its adverse impact on your research. While these changes are disruptive to the normal research activities and thereby the University’s research mission, it is essential to be in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and executive orders, as well as necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of researchers and our community in general. We also recognize the potential negative impact this pandemic may cause in the loss of research productivity. Please be assured we will work closely with leadership across the schools and colleges to minimize negative impacts, and to maximize your ability to return to fully functional research programs as quickly as possible. Please also see message from Interim Provost Liu dated March 20, 2020.

Sincerely,

John Liu, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Ramesh Raina, Interim Vice President for Research