Last Update: 11:00 am September 14, 2021
Updates for more clarity on CDC guidance change regarding face coverings
See also Considerations for Human Subjects Research
Restarting On-Campus and Field Research
Guidelines for Summer Research
Research Office Availability
Access to Research Facilities
Grant Issues
Compliance Issues
Helpful Resources
Under the Restore Illinois plan, the North-Central Region that includes the ISU campus returned to Phase 5 as of June 11, 2021, at which time research can occur on campus and in the field with very few restrictions. On July 27, 2021 the CDC released updated masking recommendations and beginning July 29, 2021, until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus and Laboratory Schools.
Please consult the Return to Work Toolkit as you make arrangements to reoccupy your research spaces. Be sure to check before traveling to a field site, archive, library, etc. as the situation remains fluid around the world and restrictions vary by locale.
Most research activities may resume and new researchers may be hired.
You are expected to observe the following restrictions:
On-campus, face-to-face Human Subjects Research activities may be conducted (with an approved IRB protocol).
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Office of Research Ethics and Compliance will continue to provide uninterrupted services. On August 6th, 2021 RSP and REC staff began regularly working on site. Many of the RSP and REC staff have worked remotely over the past months to provide crucial research support services, as the staff return to campus, we would all like to suggest contacting individuals via Teams. Teams has proven to be a vast improvement over email and phone communications. Teams will remain the preferred way to communicate with staff in RSP and REC for the foreseeable future. In addition, RSP and REC are returning to in-person office hours for the fall semester. Those dates and times will be shared in upcoming bulletins.
As we all make another rapid adjustment please share any feedback which can better support your research projects.
See https://coronavirus.illinoisstate.edu/building-status/ for the latest information about building status and access.
Agencies are being given substantial flexibility by the Office of Management and Budget. How each agency implements this flexibility can be found through the individual agency websites or through the Council on Government Relations (COGR) coronavirus website. Be prepared to submit on time, as few agencies have substantially delayed their submission deadlines, and many opportunities have retained their original submission deadlines. Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) staff will continue to have the ability to submit proposals.
Follow University, State, and Federal guidance on travel (ISU travel page: https://travel.illinoisstate.edu/ ). The appropriate travel notification form must be completed prior to traveling in some instances. Be sure to obtain this approval before traveling to a field site, archive, library, etc. if you expect reimbursement for your travel expenses.
You may experience a delay in the recruitment of subjects, meeting study objectives, etc. Check your granting agency’s website for guidance on dealing with such delays. At the very least, most projects will be eligible for a no-cost extension, but additional information may be available from specific agencies. Formal requests to external sponsors for award extensions must be made through RSP (ResearchOffice@IllinoisState.edu or 309-438-2528), but you may wish to contact your program officer for guidance before requesting an extension.
Since changes in protocols have to be approved prior to implementation, contact the Research Ethics and Compliance Office (irb@ilstu.edu or 309-438-5527) if you need to change the timing, location, or method of interaction for any interviews, focus groups, recruitment, etc. Pauses in research are allowed, but protocol modifications may be required. See https://research.illinoisstate.edu/ethics/human-subjects/coronavirus/ for additional information.
Animal care facilities continue to operate as usual. For any questions contact the Research Ethics and Compliance Office (REC@ilstu.edu or 309-438-2529).