The following message from University of Iowa Vice President for Research Marty Scholtz was sent to the campus research community on May 18, 2020. To receive important announcements about research activities during the COVID-19 outbreak click here to subscribe to a special edition of the OVPR newsletter. 

Good afternoon:

First off, thanks to all of you for your cooperation as we work together to keep the University of Iowa research enterprise moving forward. We know how eager you are to return to campus and appreciate how much resilience and flexibility you’ve demonstrated during this very challenging time.

There is currently no campus-wide date for researchers and scholars who are working remotely to return to campus. You should continue working from home until central leadership determines the timeline for a gradual resumption of campus activities.

In the meantime, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is working closely with collegiate Associate Deans for Research (ADRs), who in turn will be reaching out to you to guide the creation of a detailed plan, which must be submitted and reviewed by the PI's ADR before your return to campus will be considered.

All plans must adhere to these Guidelines and Considerations [clicking downloads a Word document] but must also account for the unique conditions in particular buildings and work spaces; faculty working in the performing arts, for example, will have vastly different considerations than those working in laboratory settings.  

Until your plan is approved and campus leadership has determined that adequate health and safety measures are in place for campus, OVPR’s ramp-down guidelines remain in effect.

College-specific guidance on developing these plans is forthcoming from your ADR. Please direct questions to them or to our office.

Sincerely,

Marty Scholtz

Vice President for Research