1:36 p.m.
Dear Colleagues,
If you are planning on conducting research and collecting data this summer, please see
that attached guidelines from Dr. Stevenson’s office.
Summer 2021 Research Guidance
Summer 2021 should be considered a transitional period in the ongoing pandemic. Research
activities on campus and field research are strongly encouraged and should resume within
the framework of the guidelines found in most recent version of the Public Health Task
Force
report<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F...;.
Anyone conducting research activities on behalf of UTSA (as a faculty member, student, or
staff), should be flexible and receptive to concerns expressed by other research team
members or members of the community where the research is performed.
Important Points for the Research Community:
· The impact of the pandemic is different across communities and is dynamic. UTSA
updates operations in response to changing conditions. Be sure to monitor evolving
guidance and adapt accordingly.
· Regardless of the location of research activities, UTSA safety protocols related
to COVID-19 remain in effect. This includes social distancing, wearing face coverings,
hygiene, and disinfection protocols.
· Individuals who are vaccinated will be allowed to engage in campus activities,
including research, differently than those who are not fully vaccinated. Vaccination
status, however, is personal health information and individuals must not be asked their
status and will not be required to verify their status. If you have activities that are
affected by vaccination status, you must allow individuals to self-select into the
different groups.
· Any students or research staff who are uncomfortable with the directions given
by their supervisor should contact their Associate Dean for
Research<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2...
for help resolving the issue. Counseling and Mental Health
Resources<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A...
are available for anyone needing extra support during this transition.
Human Research and Community-Based Research
The IRB will continue to review protocols to evaluate the risk to potential human
participants, study staff, and the community where the research takes place. Face-to-face
human research must consider the health and well-being of the people UTSA researchers are
working with.
Field Research
In general, UTSA guidelines must be followed during field research, regardless of
location. This will not apply in rare circumstances where cultural norms preclude these
practices, such as in international research. The researcher is responsible for developing
an alternate safety plan in those instances to ensure the health and well-being of
community where they are conducting research. The Institutional Review Board will assist
the researcher in developing a safety plan for those exceptions.
Travel
See the
Travel<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F...
section of the Roadrunner Roadmap.
Travel review for domestic and international destinations follow pre-pandemic procedures.
For international travel, travelers must receive approval from the International Oversight
Committee<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A...;,
which continues to follow CDC guidance related to COVID-19 transmission. Be sure to
monitor guidelines from local authorities at your travel destination. For assistance,
contact global@utsa.edu<mailto:global@utsa.edu>.
Research Team Meetings and Graduate Student Defense Meetings
Face-to-face meetings may resume while supporting a safe and healthy environment for all
attendees. Be sure to follow all current guidelines provided by the Public Health Task
Force, including social distancing, hygiene, and face coverings.
Research Colloquia and Seminars
Events such as research colloquia and seminars may resume. External speakers are welcome
to visit campus. Follow the Event Planning
Guidelines<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3...
in the Roadrunner Roadmap.
Signage on Lab and Office Doors
Entry logs and notice of lab and office closures are no longer necessary and should be
removed.
Expectations for Fall 2021
As community health continues to improve through the summer, we expect research operations
to resemble pre-pandemic conditions. Continue to monitor the Roadrunner
Roadmap<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2...
for more information.
If you have questions, you can contact me (Michael) or send them directly to Dr.
Stevenson:
Michelle (Mickey) Stevenson, Ph.D., CCEP
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity
Office of Research, Economic Development, & Knowledge Enterprise
The University of Texas at San Antonio
(210) 458-4531 | (210) 668-3313
Michael J. Karcher, Ed.D., Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research
Professor of Educational Psychology (pronouns: he/him)
College of Education and Human Development, University of Texas at San Antonio
501 Cesar Chavez Blvd., Suite DB 4.337 (DT); MB 3.476 (Main Campus)
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210) 458-2032; 458-2650 (department)
michael.karcher@utsa.edu<mailto:michael.karcher@utsa.edu>
ORCID ID: 0003-1970-8263