Research Guidance for COVID-19

Research & Broad Guidance for COVID-19

This page contains information about UNT’s approach to guiding research operations on campus in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNT safety committees have been diligently reviewing federal and state guidance and making recommendations for how we apply the rapidly evolving changes to our campus operations. The health and safety of our UNT community continues to be our top priority, and UNT leadership will continue to carefully review the latest advice from public health experts and adjust our plans accordingly. The University is moving towards full operations of research in Fall of 2021. 

Latest UNT COVID-19 Guidance to Campus

Based on the latest CDC COVID-19 guidance, UNT has updated its campus guidelines. The most immediate change is that we are eliminating outdoor mask requirements on campus as of Friday, May 14, 2021 and I’m pleased to share the following changes that will be effective on or before June 1:

  • Indoor mask requirements for individuals who have been vaccinated will be eliminated. Social distancing will continue.
  • Conversion of classroom spaces to their pre-COVID configuration has begun. Capacity signage will be posted to be equivalent to the university social distancing standard.
  • Visitors are permitted on campus, including visiting student and faculty scholars, media and other guests (Note that third-party rentals of university spaces are still prohibited and university events still need approval by the events subcommittee.).
  • Water fountains are being turned back on.
  • Work items can be shared – such as pens and paper – following CDC guidance regarding a lack of evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 via surfaces.
  • Elevator occupancy limits are lifted.

Read President Smatresk’s latest message to our campus community.

Human Subjects Research

Please contact untirb@unt.edu if you have any questions regarding current guidance for Human Subjects Research Studies.

Animal Subjects Research 

 The IACUC team has established  IACUC guidance for current animal studies.

Remote access

As part of the social distancing protocols (reduce group settings, maintain a 3-feet (1.8 m) between individuals).
We advise faculty researchers to consider precautionary measures including:

  • Rotation schedules for researchers within research space
  • Cleaning work areas with disinfectants (shared equipment, shared computers, work benches etc.)
  • Develop a communication plan for researchers within your group
  • Communicate to your department chair your emergency contact information
  • Conduct group/lab meetings via Zoom or other videoconferencing capabilities. Refer to UNT resources for remote work.
  • Refer to guidelines communicated in VPRI letters to the university
  • Cancel travel unless essential (refer to UNT guidelines)

Travel

The CDC requires all air travelers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 before boarding flights to the U.S. from any international location. In addition, all faculty, staff or students will be asked to quarantine off campus for 10 days. International students who will be living on campus will be provided with an on-campus quarantine room.

To report your international travel to the COVID hotline, call 844-366-5892 or email at COVID@unt.edu for instructions on their quarantine period or on-campus quarantine housing.

Remember that UNT’s response to the COVID-19 global health crisis continues to evolve, so our policies and plans are subject to change when necessary as more information becomes available. As a result, please plan to check this site frequently for updates.

Conferences

Conferences and large meetings are often still in remote delivery. Refer to organizers of conferences for such information.

Postdoctoral Fellows, Graduate and Undergraduate Research

At this time, researcher staff and graduate students are allowed to participate in research and maintain research priorities within laboratories and other university facilities if they are not sick, maintain social distancing, and their faculty mentor is allowing such. Implement alternative research related work that can be done remotely (e.g. literature review, data analysis, writing). Note that some research facilities may have limited access at this time, so students should work with their mentors to determine the best course of action for completing their research needs. Additional sources of information include the Departmental units, Toulouse Graduate School, and Honors College.

Division of Research and Innovation units

The Division of Research and Innovation staff are working mostly remotely. Thus, unless otherwise noted, functions pertaining to grant and proposal submissions, funding agency updates, contract negotiations, IACUC and IRB reviews are operating normally. All staff can be reached via MS Teams.