Dear Colleagues,
Please be sure to share this information with any research staff, including Research
Assistants, with whom you are working. It is information from Dr. Stevenson’s office about
campus access for research purposes this summer. Her contact information is listed below
in case you have any questions about these guidelines.
Michael
To prepare for increased research activity on June 1, I wanted to share several important
items. University operations continue to evolve in order to support research and we will
continue to provide updates for you as procedures change.
1. Building access.
a. You will continue to swipe your UTSA ID card to access buildings as all buildings
will be locked to the public. This practice is intended to support the safety of anyone in
the buildings. Thus it is important that people do not let anyone into the building if
they do not recognize them.
b. Consider re-applying for access if your previous access has expired, which must
be submitted by your department’s designated staff. If you continued to access UTSA
buildings during the research pause, you will be fine. Students who have not accessed
buildings and other spaces for 45 days will need to reapply for
access<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F...;.
Make sure you think about access to spaces with shared equipment, shared storage spaces,
core facilities, vivarium, etc. Don’t forget to submit a request to remove access for
people who have left your research team.
c. If PIN codes or biometrics are required on doors, please schedule an appointment
with Security Services (210-458-6855 in Bosque Building Room 1.200).
2. On-campus activities.
a. The fundamental principle allowing on-campus activity is that work that can be
done remotely should be. That is, visits to research spaces on campus are limited to
activities that cannot be done remotely. Remember that student’s participation in research
on campus is voluntary. Once the on-campus work is completed, remote activities (e.g.,
data analyses, manuscript writing) should be done off-campus and not in office spaces.
There are a few instances where specialized software, restricted data, or equipment are
needed in office spaces but this is rare and not widespread.
b. Disinfection protocols should be in place and enforced. REDKE will have some
disposable masks available until your purchases come in. We will distribute disinfectant
(isopropyl alcohol solution) and paper towels beginning June 3. We will deliver these
items to labs in SRL and MBT. Researchers in other buildings can pick up these items from
a table set up in AET (main entrance facing the parking lot) and BSE (outside the dean’s
office).
3. Safety Requirements.
a. Masks/face coverings must be worn at all times on campus. If you are working in a
closed space (lab, office) by yourself, you can remove the mask. Adherence to this safety
measure is important to protect those at highest risk of infection as well as yourself.
b. Social distancing is required. You will need to alter your normal (pre-COVID-19)
activities to ensure you keep others safe. Lab/research team meetings should continue
online and not face-to-face.
c. Report any concerns. Emergencies should be reported to UTSA Police at (210)
458-4911. Any concerns should be reported to the compliance hotline at (877) 270-5051 or
https://www.reportlineweb.com/UTSA<https://nam03.safelinks.protection....;.
You can make these reports anonymously as well.
4. Additional Questions? Send them to
vprhelp@utsa.edu<mailto:vprhelp@utsa.edu> if the answers cannot be found in the
Research Recovery
Report<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F...;.
Regards,
Mickey
Michelle (Mickey) Stevenson, Ph.D., CCEP
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity
Office of Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise
The University of Texas at San Antonio
(210) 458-4531 | (210) 668-3313