This message contains important information about research operations.

Please refer to the COVID-19 Response: Guidance for Researchers website for updates.

Dear colleagues,

Last week, the university directed all faculty and staff to work from home, except under the following conditions:

• Campus access is required to use tools and equipment.
• Work involves secure data and confidential information
• On-site preparation and attendance are required to deliver services to faculty, students, staff, and the public.

1. Anyone spending time on campus must meet one of the above conditions, AND be included on an approved Workspace Safety Plan.

2. All existing Workspace Safety Plans should be reviewed, and updated where necessary, to ensure the correct staff are listed on the plan. 

• If you have not created or are not named on a Workspace Safety Plan, please initiate the process as soon as possible.
• Any Workspace Safety Plans that were created in word doc format this summer must now be re-created in the Sharepoint Workspace Safety Plan website.
• A Workspace Safety Plan is required regardless of any research designations or exemptions that were granted earlier in the year. 
• Note that mask requirements have been automatically added to existing Workspace Safety Plans.

Please see the step-by-step instructions for the Workspace Safety Plan. Contact [email protected] if you have questions that are not addressed in the instructions.

We recognize that reviewing, updating, or creating new Workspace Safety Plans takes time. However, it is important to acknowledge that the University of Calgary has been able to remain open and accessible for research because of your commitment to safety, and your diligence in observation of guidelines.

Your continued support is required to keep the research enterprise at the University of Calgary operational. We encourage you to be particularly mindful, and only conduct that work on campus which you absolutely cannot complete from home.

• See the December 11 update from the VP Research office
• See the December 10 update from the Provost office
• See the December 3 update to people leaders and WSP authors about changes to Workspace Safety Plans

Reminder

If any individual is feeling inappropriately pressured to work on campus, they should contact one of:

• Office of the Vice-President (Research) at [email protected],
• Dean of Graduate Studies at [email protected],
• Or, if they prefer to report the concern confidentially, they can do so through the Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Office (PDRIO):
• Shirley Voyna Wilson, Protected Disclosure Advisor
• [email protected] | 403.220.4086 or
• [email protected] | Confidence Line 1.800.661.9675 (24/7)

Stay organized, plan ahead, and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert I. Thompson
Associate Vice-President (Research)