UMass Dartmouth Safe Research Lab Operations Requirements during COVID 19

1. Only labs that have a safe operations plan that includes detailed protocols that comply with the Massachusetts Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces requirements and has been approved by the Chief Research Officer may perform on-campus research.

2. Only work that requires the use of on-campus facilities should be performed on-campus. All work that can be performed remotely including meetings, experimental design, data analysis, writing and reading must be performed remotely. On-campus time should be kept to a minimum. 3. The fewest number of people possible should occupy a space each day. It is better to have one person in the lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a different person on Mondays and Wednesdays, than to have some people in the morning and some people in the afternoon. 4. No one may come to campus who has ANY symptoms of illness of any kind. Screening protocols are being developed and will be deployed when available. Please refer to the symptoms checklist before coming to campus: https://www.umassd.edu/media/umassdartmouth/news/2020/UMassD-COVID-19-Checklist-5.28.20.pdf 5. Social distancing of at least 6’ must be maintained at all times (except if providing emergency assistance). 6. Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required for every person that comes to campus. Face coverings must be worn in all common spaces such as entryways, hallways, and restrooms. They must be worn in spaces being shared by more than one person and whenever there is any chance that social distancing may not be maintained. 7. The fewest possible number of different people should go to campus. It is critically important to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID on campus, and one person coming to campus 10 times is a much lower risk for transmission than 10 different people coming to campus one time each. While this policy might conflict with your natural inclination to share access and duties as fairly as possible among lab members, the consequences of a confirmed COVID case would be severe for the lab in question and possibly surrounding labs. Right now, minimizing risk of transmission must take priority over equitable access to the lab. 8. All workplaces and equipment that was used must be sanitized by the person working at the end of each workday using the techniques and products approved by Environmental Health and Safety. Training and sanitization products will be provided. 9. All workplaces and equipment must be sanitized before use changes from one person to another.

10. A log book of lab sanitization activity must be kept and maintained in each lab area. 11. Break rooms and other meeting spaces are closed and are not authorized for use. 12. Work on-campus must be performed on weekdays (Monday through Friday) between the hours of 7AM to 8PM. Special permission to perform work outside those hours may be requested. 13. Trash in laboratories and other research spaces should be bagged by the research personnel, sealed and placed outside the lab entrance for collection as necessary. 14. If biohazardous materials boxes need to be removed, investigators should contact Amy Pacheco or Wayne Leblanc. This should be done early as we expect some delays in getting boxes removed. 15. If gloves are worn, they must be thrown away every time someone leaves a lab space (unless carrying chemicals) and not re-used. 16. If an investigator becomes aware that a person who was on-campus has tested positive for COVID-19, or has been identified as a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19, he/she must report that immediately to Human Resources. Such a person will not be allowed to return to campus until cleared according to public health guidance. These rules may change at any time based on our latest understanding of how to minimize risk for COVID-19 transmission. Violation of these rules may result in the loss of on-campus privileges for the individual or for the entire lab. The identification of COVID-19 on campus may result in lab closures for the purposes of disinfection or decontamination. General Recommendations: Use stairs instead of elevators whenever possible. Use the building entrance and egress closest to your labs. Minimize your contact with the building and the spaces in it.

What type of Lab should you run this Fall?

Recommendations for all courses online

Building an online community

Introduce yourself. Maybe a video with an intro to who you are, and what your goals are for the course. This can also be done live.

It’s important to try to build community online. Part of that is for the students to know who you are, and to see you as a person. Not a robot throwing assignments at them.

Ask students three questions which set up expectations and rules:

What do you need to do to help facilitate learning in the class

What do your peers need to do help facilitate learning

What does the instructor need to do

Modify or add to the above. Make those questions about building community.

https://www.jessestommel.com/how-to-build-an-online-learning-community-6-theses/

Add more depth and richness to each class – students don’t ask questions well online and are alone without their peers. On mycourses you could add:

• Ppt file • Video or audio recording • Useful clips from youtube or elsewhere • Notes from the lecture • A document with key take-home points to be considered • A quiz for students to self-assess

Laboratory classes online

Hybrid labs with online and in-person activities

For in-person labs: Pre-lab becomes essential to prepare students and minimize instructional time.

Suggestion: develop online pre-lab activities that require students to produce something that is graded. In order to complete the assignment, students need to read and understand the lab. During lab, skip the normal ‘lab talk’ (they’ve seen it online) and simply tell them where things are.

Online pre-lab could include

Videos and instructions (intro to theory, demo of techniques)

quizzes

Ask students to make flow chart of laboratory activities

Designing your online/hybrid lab – what kind of lab do you run?

Summary of Best Practice Ideas:

https://asm.org/Articles/2020/March/Biology-Teaching-in-the-Time-of-COVID-19-How-to-Tr

- Simulations as much as possible – BW: simple simulation is student designing experiment and instructor making up the data

- Communicate with students often – let them know when you are available for face to face, how quickly to expect email responses, send out reminders for assignments/meetings etc.

- Use short recordings instead of emails sometimes, seeing your face helps - Use technology – discussion boards, slack etc to maintain group work – feels like they

are on campus - Consider making mistakes on purpose in demonstration videos to challenge students

trouble shooting skills - Consider having students teach class something – pick a learning objective and let

students be creative in how to teach it

BW – convert videos to youtube to make them accessible on all devices

BW – pick a format and stick with it – students know what to expect

Types of labs (from http://help.juniata.edu/view_article.php?article=140#):

• focus is on learning techniques o Videos, animated demos, virtual labs. Check out tools below

• focus is on interpreting experimental data

o Check out ideas for activities below

• focus is on project-based lab research o Check out ideas for activities below

Examples of online science labs

Yes. You can take a science lab online. UNCG BIO105: Major Concepts in Biology

http://learnmore.uncg.edu/blog/yes.-you-can-take-a-science-lab-online

What do we need to think about?

Tools

Important note. Avoid multiple tools that aren’t integrated into an LMS. It’s better to have tools that are just ok, but integrated, than many unlinked very good tools. Simplicity and seamlessness rule.

https://padlet.com/ for collaborative work

Zoom

Jamboard (a google product) for shared whiteboard.

Google suite for comms and collaboration.

Microsoft teams – can it instant message? Use alongside Microsoft office products

OneNote

Slack

Resources – simulations and other useful things

All/most areas of biology

• JOVE • Make your own instructional videos. ID folks can help • Labster • Simbio (Tara uses in 200-level lab) • Merlot https://www.merlot.org/merlot/materials.htm

o Many many sims and animations on a wide range of topics, including a lot of different biology options

• https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ o Topics include plants, genetics, ecology, evol. Information presented in videos, in “learn

more” text plus images, graphical exploration, interactive explorations (some are flash based).

o Virtual cell/molecular labs available (need flash)

Cell and Molecular Biology

• https://www.labxchange.org/library/clusters/abe , https://about.labxchange.org/ o Lab Xchange contains simulations, readings, assessments. It’s customizable in terms of

learning paths (you can mix and match stuff).

• https://phet.colorado.edu o PHET Interactive simulations (some are JAVA, so not all browsers will do it. Some HTML5

prototypes available).

• https://www.youtube.com/bioradeducation o Some how-to videos on basic molecular and genetic techniques and videos that go along

with some of the bio-rad explorer kits

Med micro

• http://gulig.med.ufl.edu/virtual-micro-lab/ o Case study-based virtual labs

Animal Physiology

• https://iworx.com/documents/programs/LabscribeRemoteLabs.zip o A dataset

Take home kits

• Hands on Labs o e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mafyJbNFYg4&list=PLZIgmb_joOVsm_doCag3YLKfdx0nYteel&index=10

• Carolina Distance Learning (Resources being offered by the Online Learning Consortium. This article and webinar offer some good starting points and food for thought.)

• American Society for Microbiology biosafety guidelines for at-home labs. o https://asm.org/Guideline/ASM-Guidelines-for-Biosafety-in-Teaching-Laborator

Check with University about liability for anything we send home for lab work.

Approaches

Parallel tracks in lab.

Decrease number of labs, have students in groups attending labs in an alternating order. Alternating live and online activities.

Prioritize the learning objectives that can only be done in lab. Other things can be brought online.

How to rethink science lab classes:

https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2020/04/08/five-objectives-online-science-labs-lend-themselves-virtual-teaching-opinion

Online lab work – American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

https://www.asbmb.org/education/online-teaching/online-lab-work

Here there are ideas for online lab work, and many links to simulations and online lab experiments.

Remote lab activities and experiences – Dartmouth (the other one)

https://sites.dartmouth.edu/teachremote/remote-lab-activities-and-experiences/

Ideas for different types of learning objectives. Links to helpful simulations

Asynchronous poster session.

Students make video of poster presentation. Every student watches. They need to ask a question and provide a compliment for each poster. Questions should be well thought out, not superficial.

This can be managed via discussion boards – student upload video (youtube, MP4, voice over ppt, whatever) and their ppt. Responses from class members is each.

Active learning via collaborative google doc

Ask a question/set a problem. Provide framework on what is needed in response (e.g. series of approaches in the lab). Students work together on a google doc. Doc history shows editing. Comment boxes are left in to show student participation and how they have discussed aspects of the document.

Live active learning via collaboration in zoom

Assign discussion questions/topics and use breakout groups in zoom for small group discussion. Groups report back to class

Shared/interactive whiteboard

In zoom or Google jamboard. Zoom might need modified settings to share the whiteboard and make it editable. Students can collaborate on problem solving using whiteboard.

https://youtu.be/jQ4-wrwHAxk white board zoom

Ideas for activities – Interpreting data

From https://www.asbmb.org/education/online-teaching/online-lab-work

Deep analysis of the literature

This is an excellent way to build laboratory-related skills. Access a journal article and have the students review the methods sections - they can create presentations on various aspects of the methods of a few key papers and analyze the figures and results sections in a follow-up activity.

From conversation with Pia, Rob, Michael, Cindy

Shift emphasis from doing techniques to understanding techniques, interpreting data, understanding data, etc

Make video demos of procedures. Provide photographic data of results and ask students to interpret what they are seeing (e.g. unknown exercise in micro lab). Then ask students to do a group analysis of the methodology – how does each experiment work? Why do you see the kinds of results you see?

Another example. In micro, we plate dilutions from soil, and have students test colonies for antibiotic production or antibiotic resistance. Make videos and use other online resources to walk through these experiments. Ask students to make predictions as to what they would see and why, at each stage of the experiment. Then reveal the answer and ask students to delve into online resources to explain why we’d see what we see, or provide literature to support the observations

(e.g. population size of soil bacteria). Toward the end, rather than have students focused on explaining the results, have them focus on explaining why we get the results. How do bacteria become resistant, how might they become multidrug resistant (in terms of selection e.g. overuse of drugs; and in terms of mechanism e.g. HGT, accumulation of resistance cassettes on integrons and plasmids; natural reasons why these are selected etc).

From http://help.juniata.edu/view_article.php?article=140#

Extract datasets from the published literature or from databases that are aligned with the experiments students would have encountered in lab and develop problem sets that focus on the interpretation of the data.

Combine experimental protocols with interspersed questions that explore the reasons behind specific steps so that students gain deeper intuition into why certain procedures are performed. In place of actually performing the experiment, students can gain a critique-based understanding of the method followed by data interpretation.

One type of question you may want to ask students involves providing them with a random sequence of steps involved in the experimental methodology, and asking them to put them in the correct logical order. This requires students to critically understand why each step has to come before the next in a protocol. You can also provide students with a blank step, which they would need to fill in for themselves once they identify what step is missing.

From Carmichael J, Allison L. 2019. Using “research boxes” to enhance understanding of primary literature and the process of science †. J. Microbiol. Biol. Educ. 20(2): doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1743

“Research Box” learning activity that helps students engage with primary research articles in a guided and collaborative fashion. Students summarize key components of an empirical study in a one-page figure. An assessment rubric is also included that can be easily modified by instructors to meet their specific needs.

Ideas for activities – Project-based research

Publications

Varty AK. Options for Online Undergraduate Courses in Biology at American Colleges and Universities. CBE Life Sci Educ. 2016;15(4):ar58. doi:10.1187/cbe.16-01-0075

Xu, X., Allen, W., Miao, Z., Yao, J., Sha, L. and Chen, Y. (2018), Exploration of an interactive “Virtual and Actual Combined” teaching mode in medical developmental biology. Biochem Mol Biol Educ, 46: 585-591. doi:10.1002/bmb.21174

Carmichael J, Allison L. 2019. Using “research boxes” to enhance understanding of primary literature and the process of science †. J. Microbiol. Biol. Educ. 20(2): doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1743

Things to look at

Webinar on Online Teaching hosted by Proquest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQpAtEhUQZ0&feature=youtu.be

UMass Dartmouth Limited Research Activity Response to COVID-19

1. What is the current status of research-related activities at UMass Dartmouth? We encourage all researchers, faculty students and staff, to work remotely as much as possible. Group meetings must be conducted by zoom or other virtual meeting technology. If possible, work that cannot be performed remotely should be rescheduled for a later time, in favor of work that can be performed remotely in the near term. Students and other research staff may come to campus to retrieve books, files or computers that they need in order to work remotely. PIs should coordinate such visits to maintain social distancing. For those projects that require the use of on-campus facilities, access to labs or other facilities may be requested. PIs should submit their requests along with an operational plan that follows the current guidelines for the safe operation for research on campus. Request and plans should be emailed to the Associate Provost for Research and Economic Development (Alex at afowler@umassd.edu) with copies to their Chairs, Deans and Zeina Madeiros (ZMadeiros@umassd.edu). No on-campus research activity may be undertaken by anyone who does not have a plan that has been approved by the Chief Research Officer (CRO). Even for research labs that are open, time on-campus should be kept to an minimum. Activities such as writing, experimental design, reading and analyzing data should all be performed remotely whenever possible. Investigators who wish to undertake organized off campus research activities or activities outside their labs such as field work, must also submit plans that explain how operations will be performed safely. The requirements of such plans will depend on the nature of the proposed work and should be discussed with the CRO prior to submission. 2. What is the current status of research support operations on campus? The Offices of Research Administration, Research Support and Compliance will all be working remotely, but we do not expect any disruption in service. You should contact the staff primarily by email; but they can call you from remote locations and zoom conference if necessary. LABS AND FACILITIES 3. Can I still work in the lab and use campus research facilities? Yes. Campus researchers may continue to conduct their research on campus if they receive approval as described in (1).

4. What should I be doing to prepare for possible disruptions in operations? Campus researchers should maintain plans to safely shut down on-campus operations in the event of a renewal of the stay at home order. Principle investigators/lab leads should develop a communications plan with designated points of contact for their research and update lab-specific emergency information (with current cell phone numbers in case access to campus is interrupted). See additional guidance below. 5. What should laboratory-based researcher be doing to prepare for further disruption? Research groups should make plans in the event campus operations are disrupted. Some steps to consider:

� Remind laboratory staff and students that safety standards must continue to be followed, including the requirement that no one should be working in a lab by themselves.

� Review emergency procedures with researchers and staff, and update signage and contact information.

� Ensure that high-risk materials (radioactive, biohazards, chemicals) are secured and freezers are labeled with emergency contact information and secure all waste.

� Assess and prioritize critical laboratory activities, and identify procedures and processes that require regular personnel attention (e.g. cell culture maintenance, animal care, human subjects contacts).

� Identify personnel able to safely perform essential activities and ensure that all staff have the appropriate training. Document critical procedures with step-by-step instructions.

� If possible, train research staff to fill in for others who may be unable to come to campus. Coordinate with colleagues to identify ways to cover critical activities.

� Identify research activities that can be delayed or completed without compromising the research project.

� Define shutdown processes in the event normal operations are halted. 6. What should I do if there is a spill or hazardous waste in my lab? Public Safety and Environmental Health and Safety will continue to operate as normal and maintain all critical functions. 7. Are undergraduate and graduate students (paid or unpaid) who are conducting research projects allowed on campus to do so? Yes, provided the PI has secured approval as detailed in (1). 8. Are Core and Shared Research Facilities still open? Yes, but a plan must be submitted by the department supervising the shared facility. Departments should submit their requests to open shared facilities by email to the Associate Provost for Research and Economic Development (Alex at afowler@umassd.edu) with copies to their Deans and Zeina Madeiros (ZMadeiros@umassd.edu).

The plans must identify which shared facilities are requested to be open. The plan must identify an individual who will supervise the facility, schedule its use, ensure that social distancing is maintained and make sure the space is sanitized in between users. The supervisor may delegate day to day supervision to other people, but the supervisor should be the one accountable to make sure all the safety requirements are met. If a suitable supervisor cannot be identified, the facility will not be opened. The supervisors of shared facilities will be the points of contact for researchers who wish to use the facilities. Researchers should contact the facility supervisor to schedule times for use. Scheduling requests must identify who will be using the facility, which equipment they will be using and for how long. Use of the facility without receiving approval from the facility supervisor is not allowed. Supervisors should make sure scheduling allows time for sanitizing equipment between users.

• No external users; external users may submit requests for work to be performed by UMassD staff.

• No training will be performed for either external and internal users. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND AWARD MANAGEMENT 9. Will the Office of Research Administration still be able to submit my proposal to the sponsor? ORA staff are working remotely, but proposals will be submitted on time if the researcher has complied with campus proposal submission guidelines. 10. If the sponsoring agency closes, will my proposal still need to be submitted on time? Currently, all federal agencies are accepting submissions as usual. If an agency closes, they will likely will continue to accept proposal but they will likely remain pending until the agency reopens (similar to federal budget-related shutdown procedures). In the event of natural disasters, agencies typically provide flexibility in submissions; see individual agency websites for additional guidance. 11. Will I be able to reach ORA staff? ORA staff will respond to emails and monitor phone calls as normal, even if they are teleworking. 12. Should I contact ORA early to let them know I plan to submit a proposal? Yes. PIs should always do that. HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH 13. Is the IRB Office open? Yes. The IRB office is fully functional and operating as normal.

14. My research study involves face-to-face interactions with human subjects. Can I continue my research, and are research subjects from the community (e.g., children, their parents, other adults) currently allowed on campus? Human subjects research that cannot be conducted remotely is still suspended. 15. What do I need to do if I decide to temporarily suspend study activities such as enrollment, study procedures, etc.? If the Principal Investigator decides to voluntarily suspend study activities, s/he should submit this as Reportable New Information to the IRB within 5 business days of the suspension. 16. Can I modify my study procedures in my project involving human subjects to incorporate remote alternatives? If possible, you should plan for alternatives to in-person study visits (e.g., online questionnaires, phone surveys, etc.). However, these changes must be approved in advance by the IRB, unless they are necessary to eliminate immediate apparent hazards to participants. 17. What if I need to modify the study procedures immediately in order to protect researchers and/or study participants? If it is in the best interest of researchers and participants to eliminate immediate apparent hazards, the Principal Investigator may implement changes without prior IRB approval, however, this must be reported to the IRB as Reportable New Information within 5 business days of the modification.

18. Should I expect delays in review of protocols by the Institutional Review Board? We expect the IRB to continue to accept and review protocol submissions, even if faculty and staff are working remotely. RESEARCH INVOLVING ANIMALS 19. What should I be doing to prepare for a possible disruption in operations that affects my animal studies? Researchers should be developing plans now in the event there is a change in campus operations and/or personnel are unable to come to campus. Activities that require regular personnel attention should be prioritized and planned for, and if possible, research staff trained to fill in for others who may be unable to come to campus. Coordinate with colleagues to identify ways to cover critical activities. Research activities that can be delayed or completed without compromising the research project should be identified, and shutdown processes that minimize the impact on the study should be considered in the event normal operations are halted. 20. Should I expect delays in Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee review of protocols? We expect the IACUC to continue to accept and review submissions.

RESEARCH-RELATED TRAVEL AND MEETINGS 21. Can I travel to a research-related conference? What about travel to do field work or meet with a colleague? Please follow the university guidance pertaining to travel. Currently all university sponsored travel has been suspended. 22. I have a grant to host a conference on campus. Will I still be able to host the meeting? All on-campus events are forbidden. 23. Can I continue to hold research lab meetings with my staff and students? You should not hold face-to-face meetings. Group meetings must be held virtually.

Basic Lab Safety During Covid Applies to All Lab Based Instruction

DRAFT

• Time in the lab should be kept to a minimum. Pre-lab materials should be provided and reviewed in advance and pre-lab instruction should be performed remotely if possible. If remote pre-lab instruction is not practical, instruction should be performed in a large room other than the lab.

• Virtual lab experiences should be used as much as possible. It is more important to minimize risk, than to provide the perfect lab experience. Time in the lab should be minimized. Zero time in the lab is safest of all.

• Off-site hands on experiences should be used as much as possible: home or dorm based lab or project kits. It is more important to minimize risk, than to provide the perfect lab experience. Time in the lab should be minimized. Zero time in the lab is safest of all.

• There should be as little speaking in the lab as possible. Sharing space with others for a long time is generally safe if good masks are used and no one speaks.

• High quality surgical masks should be purchased for instructors of lab sections (and possibly for all students as well).

• Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required at all times.

• Group and partner work should be eliminated if possible. If group or partner work is required, the same groups or partners must be maintained throughout the semester.

• Running lab every other week takes advantage of viral biology to minimize the risk of the spread of Covid infection. The week away gives time for the virus to manifest and makes it more likely the infected person will become contagious while not in lab.

• Microphones and speakers should be provided to lab instructors so they can speak quietly and be heard. Speaking loudly spreads more virus.

• Work areas should be clearly marked in every instructional lab. Students should not enter the work areas of other students. Students should have the same work area throughout the semester.

• As few people as possible should enter shared areas of the lab. Supplies should be distributed to work areas before students enter the lab.

• Students should sanitize their work areas at the beginning and end of each lab session and a log book should be maintained in each work area to record sanitization.

• Social distancing should be maintained unless a critical instructional or educational task requires close proximity. If proximity is required, the people in proximity should be in high quality surgical masks and there should be no speaking.

• Windows and doors should be opened and fume hoods, if available, should be set on high flow.

• If gloves are used they should be disposed of before leaving the lab.

DRAFT Guidelines for field research Field work should be suspended unless doing so interferes with deadlines for grant or contract deliverables; causes an interruption in projects that require consistent, long-term measurements; or significantly delays a student’s progression toward degree completion. As much as possible field gear maintenance and prep should be conducted off site. For land-based fieldwork, solitary work is encouraged. If not possible for safety or practical reasons, social distancing following the Commonwealth’s social distancing guidance of >6’and face coverings are required. Generally, no more than 2 people should be involved in field work at a time, unless groups of two can maintain greater separation (~100 ft apart). Personnel should work in consistent pairings to minimize the number of interactions between different people. Conversation should be kept to a minimum. Hand sanitizing should be performed at a minimum upon arrival and upon departure. All field equipment must be sanitized after use using appropriate sanitizing materials (e.g., alcohol solution or other appropriate cleaner). Individuals should provide their own transportation to field sites. If not possible, there should be a maximum of two persons per personal vehicle, a driver and a passenger in the rear seat diagonal to the driver, and windows should be at least partially open to ensure ventilation. Pairings in vehicles should be consistent to minimize the number of interactions between different people. Conversation should be kept to a minimum. If University vehicles are used, only one person should be allowed in the vehicle for the field activity. The responsible user will disinfect the steering wheel, door panels, dashboard and arm rests and any other potential contact site before and after vehicle use. The sanitizer should have >60% alcohol content. For fieldwork involving small boats: field teams will wear masks in boats and will hand sanitize when starting out and upon return. Distance will be maintained as much as possible and as few people will occupy the boat as feasible to insure safety (2 people per boat is standard). DRAFT Guidelines for outdoor educational activities Outdoor education activities should be conducted in a manner following the Commonwealth’s social distancing guidance of >6’. Face coverings are required at all times during outdoor educational activities. If feasible, portable communication devices may be used to facilitate coordination of activities across widely spaced groups. Group sizes should be limited to a maximum of no more than 25 people. Individuals should provide their own transportation to field sites. If not possible, there should be a maximum of two persons per personal vehicle, a driver and a passenger in the rear seat diagonal to the driver, and windows should be at least partially open to ensure ventilation.

Pairings in vehicles should be consistent to minimize the number of interactions between different people. Conversation should be kept to a minimum. If University transportation can be arranged, the driver and all passengers are required to wear masks and maintain as much separation as possible. Hand sanitizer should be provided for occupants entering and leaving the vehicle. Seating capacity should be kept to 40% ?? or lower. Windows should be opened if possible to provide ventilation. Conversation should be kept to a minimum. All field equipment must be sanitized after use using appropriate sanitizing materials (e.g., alcohol solution or other appropriate cleaner).

Nursing Covid-19 Control Plan (Draft)

This written plan outlines how Nursing will comply with Massachusetts mandatory safety standards for University operations in the COVID-19 reopening period. Currently, this plan meets the requirements for Phase II programming. All procedures in the Mandatory Safety Standards for Reopening developed by the University will be followed.

General Information:

Nursing faculty have determined which courses, and activities within those courses, that have outcomes best met with on campus instruction. The Massachusetts Board of Registration for Nursing requires that nursing students meet clinical and course outcomes that includes laboratory instruction.

Spaces to be utilized include Dion 106, Dion 203, Dion 205, and Dion 207. Each lab will be utilized for varying periods of time Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Lab space is confined and airflow is limited. There are no windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air or improved air circulation. The need for HEPA filtration units for the Sim rooms (5) and the Debriefing rooms (4) must be prioritized, in order to safely reopen.

Social distancing:

• All persons in the nursing labs, including faculty, staff, and students, will remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible. The number of students occupying each lab area has been reduced from the normal operating capacity to allow for physical distancing. New laboratory occupancy limits have been determined and published to faculty and staff. The clinical lab coordinator will maintain an occupancy log of each lab.

• The clinical lab coordinator, to ensure that faculty, staff, and students can practice adequate social distancing, will establish protocols, including identification of available seats, floor markings to indicate traffic flow, and signage indicating closed communal areas.

• Faculty, staff, and administration will instruct students that common lounge areas are closed and students will not be allowed access. Students will not be allowed to congregate.

• Signage for safe social distancing will be posted within all laboratories and on multiple bulletin boards in the hallways connecting laboratory spaces by laboratory staff. Appropriate signage will be printed from the CDC website by the administrative staff, under the direction of the lab coordinator.

• All faculty, staff, and students are required to wear face coverings that cover the nose and the mouth in all spaces, including entryways, hallways, and restrooms. Nursing has ordered a supply of surgical tie masks.

• Staggered and rotating schedules, as well as scheduling on alternative days and times will be utilized to accommodate smaller group sizes.

• Because volume of air, number of people, and length of time together are influencing factors when considering transmission of COVID-19, the amount of time that any one group of students utilizes laboratory space should be limited to 1.5 hours.

• For activities in the health assessment lab that require close contact, students will don additional PPE including a face shield over a face mask. Activities that removal of PPE (oral temperature, mouth/throat inspection) will not be performed.

• Faculty, staff and students will be encouraged to use the stairs instead of elevators whenever possible, and to use the building entrance closest to the labs.

Hygiene Protocols:

• As Registered Nurses, all faculty have knowledge of infection control principles and universal precautions.

• Hand washing capabilities are available in Dion 203, Dion 205, and Dion 207. Sinks, soak, and paper towels are present. Both laboratory staff and facilities will monitor and replenish supplies as necessary.

• Hand sanitizer is available in Dion 106, Dion 203, Dion 205, and Dion 207. Laboratory staff will monitor and replenish supplies as necessary.

Staffing & Operations:

• Students will be assigned to a lab/clinical group by the clinical course coordinator and will remain with this group throughout the semester. No mixing of groups will occur. Students will be partnered by the clinical faculty for 1:1 health assessment activities and will keep the same partner throughout the semester.

• Faculty, staff, and students will participate in education on social distancing and hand hygiene prior to their first laboratory session. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html )

• Clinical faculty and students will be required to review and complete the COVID-19 screening protocol checklist (https://www.umassd.edu/emergency/coronavirus/ ) prior to each lab session. If the reply is YES to any of the questions in the screening protocol, do not attend lab. Students must contact there clinical faculty. Clinical faculty must contact their supervisor.

• If a student becomes ill, they will be sent home and advised to contact their health care provide or Health Services through their patient portal. Faculty and students will be instructed to call 508-999-9191 or 9191 from a university phone, in the event of a medical emergency. A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return until cleared according to public health guidance and according to Student Health Center requirements. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html)

• Faculty will complete the Returning to Work Training on the HR website.

Cleaning & Disinfecting:

• Environmental cleaning checklists have been developed for each laboratory which include sanitization of high touch areas such as desks and other flat surfaces, IV pumps, bedrails, exam tables, etc. Faculty will sign-off on each checklist indicating the dates and time completed. Appropriate cleaning materials will be provided. Cleaning will occur in between individual student use of equipment and between rotation of groups.

• All shared supplies such as clipboards, pens and pencils will be removed by laboratory staff prior to the beginning of the academic year.

• Storage of student personal belongings will be in identified storage areas only. Cubbies will be cleaned after removal of student belongings by laboratory staff.

• Food and drink are not allowed in any laboratory. • If an individual on campus who has used a laboratory is diagnosed with COVID-19,

additional cleaning and disinfecting may be performed. The identification of COVID-19 in any lab may result in closure for disinfection for an unspecified amount of time.

Maintain and Revise Plan:

• Review CDC, state, country and institutional guidelines to stay current • Debrief at frequent intervals with faculty, staff, and students to evaluate how well the

plan is working, and what needs to be changed or added • Continue frequent, transparent communication with faculty, staff, students and

administration

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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – Fall 2020 Laboratory Instruction on the Bench: Proposed Guidelines by PERT committee Adopted guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts document Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Laboratories to Address Covid-19 from June 8, 2020, and UMass Amherst Preliminary Fall 2020 Planning Report (June 8, 2020). Each laboratory class will be expected to provide an individualized plan on how the class will address the points I-III below. The relevant safety instructions pertaining to students in each laboratory class will need to be included in the class syllabi. I. Social distancing, workspace configuration Required: - Students and instructor should wear a clean face covering (mask) for the entire duration of the lab. The mask must be snug and cover the nose and mouth. Masks should be provided to the students and instructor. - The instructor should wear a transparent face shield. Face shields for students are required in labs where ventilation is very poor and/or closer than 6 ft proximity work is unavoidable. All face shields should be personal. - Students’ workspaces in the classroom should be separated by 6 feet unless this distance is unsafe due to the nature of the work or configuration of the workspace. The workspaces must be physically marked and remain designated to the student for the duration of the semester. - Instructor should maintain 10 ft from the students as much as possible. - Minimize talking. - If closer proximity is required, the students and instructor should wear high quality surgical masks and there should be no speaking. - The activities and lab setup should be designed while minimizing the students’ need to leave their designated workspace. Work in groups should be avoided. If some group or partner work is unavoidable, the students should maintain the same team members throughout the semester. - Students’ personal items (such as backpacks, coats) need to remain in the students’ personal space such as under the bench or in a designated wall cubicle. Students should not be allowed to leave personal items in the instructional lab spaces. - Items from the lab should not be removed (such as supplies, equipment, etc.). - The space should be re-cluttered by removing items that are not needed in the labs but would need to be repeatedly cleaned if they remain in the space.

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- Increase ventilation in the space if possible. Open windows and doors if possible and insert a box fan on the window (airflow in) and door (airflow out). If the space has fume hoods, they must be kept in open sash high-flow position. Professional inspection of hood functionality should be up to date for the duration of the instruction in the space. - Limit the duration of the lab activity. - Design the lab activity in such way that pre-lab instruction is done online prior to the hands-on activity, while minimizing any on-site pre-lab talking. If the pre-lab online is not practical, conduct the pre-lab activity in a larger, different space than the classroom and minimize the duration. - The instructor should track and log student attendance for each section, for the purposes of potential infection tracing. These logs need to be promptly made available to the administration in the case of reported infection. - Any movement of students and personnel in and out of the classroom during the lab section should be strongly discouraged. Any such movements need to be logged. Recommended: - A transparent face shield is recommended for the students in all labs. The face shields should be personal. - Use a microphone (instructor only) to allow reduced speaking volume (on-ear, Bluetooth speakers etc.). - Additional air sanitation can be provided by portable HEPA-UV units. - If face shields are not practical and additional protections are needed, consider using physical partitioning between workspaces by using plexiglass partitions or similar, maintaining compatibility with health and safety of the lab activity. Any such partitions should be taller than the person using the workspace. The partitions will need to be sanitized between each use. II. Hygiene Protocols, Cleaning and Disinfecting Required: - Students are required to wash hands before starting work. Ensure that there is access to hand washing facilities at the sinks, including soap and paper towels. Allow sufficient break time for students to wash hands frequently. Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol as an alternative. - Supply lab classrooms with adequate cleaning products (e.g., sanitizer, disinfectant, paper towels, waste containers). - At the beginning and end of their lab activity, students should be required to sanitize their personal work area and equipment. Detailed sanitization protocols need to be

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provided to the students. Each workspace should have their own cleaning kit if possible. Each workspace should have their own sanitization log. - Encourage use of gloves whenever they are compatible with lab safety. Assure that gloves are changed frequently and discarded appropriately after use. - Sharing equipment should be avoided. If sharing is unavoidable, design the lab activity in such way that the equipment can be shared safely (such as staggering times of use, sanitation between users, use of clean gloves, etc.) - Minimize transfer of physical materials between students and the instructor. For example, instead of keeping physical lab notebooks that are returned to the instructor, maintain electronic notebooks. - The instructional/departmental staff should sanitize general areas of the lab space between lab sections, such as doorknobs, instructor’s desk, unassigned bench areas, shared sink areas. - Assure sufficient time for students, instructor, and departmental staff to complete sanitization protocols between laboratory sections. The laboratory sections should have at least 30 min break in between, to allow cleaning. The required cleaning period duration will need to be defined by the individual labs and may need to be longer. - Each classroom must have a cleaning log that uses a separately provided template and is kept in the classroom. - Post visible signage in the lab space to remind students and personnel of the hygiene and safety protocols. - In the event of a positive Covid-19 case, the classroom(s) will be shut down for a deep cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with current guidance from the Commonwealth. The instructors should be prepared to switch to fully online instruction in a wider case of infection. III. Staffing and operations Required: - Instructional faculty and staff and students are required to follow the university guidelines for reporting and testing when experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms, and may not come to work/class if any symptoms manifest. - Instructors should design lab activities that allow reduction of face-to-face labs. - Instructors should implement virtual lab experiences and online activities to replace and enhance face-to-face activities as much as possible. - Instructors should consider using take-home lab kits to replace any on-site face-to-face labs.

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- Instructors should deliver all theory content related to the labs online. The instructor should meet students only online for office hours. - The number of instructional/departmental staff, and any other visitors accessing the laboratory teaching spaces should be kept at a minimum. All personnel, visitor, and student visits to the lab spaces need to be logged. - The departmental staff should post notices to staff and students of important health information and relevant safety measures as outlined in government, state, and university guidelines. Requirements and Recommendations for safety and instructional aids and supplies: For students: Masks (?x/student/semester) Face shields if determined that they are needed. For each instructor: Face shield Masks (?x/semester) Wireless microphones earpiece For each lab space: 1-2 Box fans (windows and door) Wireless speakers for the microphone Sanitization supplies: central and workspace-specific Hand washing supplies Clipboards containing space sanitization and personnel log-sheets Wish list: A document camera and video projection in each lab classroom Two or more GoPro cameras per department Portable HEPA filter+UV units for spaces with poor ventilation

DRAFT

COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Computer Labs, Studios, & Work Areas The draft plan outlines COVID 19 mandatory safety standards for computer labs, equipment bureaus, workspaces, studio spaces, production areas, and print centers. It was developed by College of Visual and Performing Arts with a focus on CVPA facilities, however its draft recommendations are likely applicable to broader campus computing facilities. The draft’s recommendations are based on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ UMass Dartmouth Safe Research Plan, COVID State Library standards and guidelines, and the University Research Laboratory recommendations. This document is draft plan that may be revised, modified, and amended as circumstances and standards change at the University or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Implementation Consistent with University Public Health Measures The University’s COVID health measures / plan (based upon guidance and direction of CDC, local, state and federal health and medical professionals in setting campus reopening and return to campus plans, and in determining the elements of the campus reopening and return to campus plans) should be incorporated into these draft recommendations. The campus’ COVID health measures / plan will include the following:

• Hygiene: Computer labs, workspaces, and centers will be equipped with, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer, and / or disinfectant wipes.

• Cleaning / Sanitation / Disinfection: Computer labs, workspaces, and centers will follow campus COVID recommendations.

• Training: Students, faculty, and staff will be provided and follow all campus COVID training.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Students, faculty and staff will wear and use appropriate PPE as outlined in the campus COVID plan and training for use in computer labs, workspaces, and centers.

Reopening Plan for Labs, Workspaces and Centers General Protocols for Labs, Workspaces & Centers

• Doors held in open position to minimize touching door handles/knobs. • Faculty, students, and staff must wear face masks. • As required by campus COVID health plan, faculty, students, and staff may be required

to wear gloves when operating equipment in labs and centers.

• Faculty, staff and students are required to clean workstations and equipment prior to and after use.

• Air disinfectants will be sprayed between classes and at periodic intervals. • Faculty, staff and students will perform basic cleaning on equipment and work stations. • Maintainers are responsible for deep cleaning and trash disposal each day. • Faculty, staff, and students should use their own clipboards, pens and pencils. • Minimize speaking. • Minimize time spent indoors. • Windows are open to help with air flow. • Implement a computer-based payment solution for the entire campus. • Equipment loans will be extended from 3 days to 14 days, and in some cases longer

depending on the assignment and major. • Separation of circulation desk from area for equipment distribution and digital production

services. • Before returning to storage, the staff will clean the equipment. • To ensure personal safety, one-on-one instruction and assistance with projects and

assignments will be conducted virtually via Zoom or other mechanisms, whenever possible. On occasion, by appointment, and using necessary PPE staff may conduct limited in-person instruction or assistance.

• Desks, workstations, and computer areas must be free of garbage, personal belongings, non-related work items; no food or beverages are permitted.

• Expand the hours of work-study and student employees for the fall semester 2020. • If possible, student employees are required to work their entire shift in one day.

Records for Contact Tracing Consider purchasing computer software for tracking users, dates, and times. Alternatively, faculty, students and staff are required to sign (using their own writing instrument) a logbook housed for computer labs and workspaces.

Social Distancing Computer Classrooms, Labs, & Workspaces General Rules per campus COVID health plan:

• Maintain 6 feet distance whenever possible. • Maintain 10 feet distance between faculty/staff and students in computer labs and

workspaces. • Additional PPE may be necessary when distance requirements cannot be maintained. • Post floor markings and signage designating 6 feet in labs, workspaces, and centers. • Signage for safe social distancing must be posted in all labs, workspaces and centers. • Physical protection boundaries should be employed including, door gates, plexiglass

walls/shields or plexiglass face shields. When possible, barriers will separate the visitor from the staff.

• Copy-stands and other work production stations will be isolated 6’ apart. • Employees are encouraged to limit the days of building exposure and rely on-campus

appointments.

• Reduce the on-campus time to specific days of the week verse coming in every day in shifts.

• Computer labs with 24/7 access are limited and hours reduced to 9am – 8pm, as recommended in the UMass Dartmouth Safe Research Plan.

• All CVPA labs, centers and workspaces will be closed on weekends.

Computer Labs, Workspaces, and Capacity: All computer labs workspaces and studios must review maximum capacities based upon physical distancing requirements. Operations may require modification to ensure safety and health. General Recommendations:

• Capacity will be reduced to one computer per table. The tables will be separated and stagnated to ensure 6’ social distancing.

• Limit the number of users per station per day. • Rotate workstations throughout the day • Appointments may be required to limit occupancy. • Print Centers may operate virtually with contactless drop-off and pick-up.

o Files and digital specification will be delivered electronically. o All color prints will be scheduled and completed by Technician. o Student will be alerted by email when print request is completed. o Contactless Pickup

Develop website with the following information:

• Available Services • Hours of Operation • Policies • Resource Links • Image Deposit Link for Color Prints • Appointment Signups • FAQ • Instructional Videos

DRAFT Music Instructional Plans

One-on-One

1. Instructor and student wear high quality masks. 2. Instrumental set-up, dismantle, and initial tuning to be done outside the rehearsal space. 3. Instrument cases and associated materials must be kept separate. 4. HEPA filter with UV in room 5. In room sanitizer for immediate hand and instrument sanitization after shared contact.

Small Ensemble (3-12)

1. All players whose instrument allows, and conductor wear face coverings. 2. One player per stand. 3. All players spaced at 2 m. 4. Conductor distance from the orchestral musicians at least 2 m for rehearsal 5. All positions should be laid out and marked prior to class. 6. The amount of time that any one group of students rehearsed should not exceed 1.25

hours. 7. Entrance and exit strategy developed for each ensemble 8. Avoid sharing instruments and accessories 9. Instrumental set-up, dismantle, and initial tuning to be done outside the rehearsal space. 10. Instrument cases and associated materials must be kept separate.

Large Ensemble (13+)

1. Given the challenges of space, Fall 2020 large ensembles will operate as a collection of players and singers with a common musical goal, but without large rehearsals.

2. Should conductors wish to rehearse in person, they should meet with groups of 12 students or fewer and follow the guidelines set forth for Small Ensembles.

3. Large ensemble conductors are encouraged to utilize distance learning and recording technology such as Smart Music or click track programs.