Research Reactivation Update

Updated January 13, 2022

COVID-19 boosters are now required by Feb. 1. - read the full announcement.

Booster clinics to be offered on Jan. 17, Jan. 26 and Jan. 31 at  the Breslin Center - learn more and make an appointment.

General Research - COVID Safety Reminders 

MSU research activities will continue under the current COVID safety guidelines outlined on the MSU Together We Will website. 

• Remember that it is critical and still a requirement for everyone to wear a well fitting mask.
• If you don’t need to be in the lab/studio/office, please work remotely.
• Be considerate about planning group gatherings/meetings (Is the meeting necessary? Can it be done virtually?).
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive, do not come to the lab/studio (get tested or if positive, please call the COVID-19 Triage Line at 855-958-2678 for guidance). Return to normal activities in the lab/studio after 5 days (of a positive test) only if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving, and you do not have a fever.
• All information should be kept confidential between the individual, the PI/supervisor, and the chair/director However, after speaking with the COVID-19 Triage Line, positive individuals may contact those who have been identified as close contacts if they feel comfortable doing so.
• Report concerns, questions, or comments to your supervisor, or to MSU Environmental Health & Safety at 517-355-0153.
• You may also access the MSU Misconduct Hotline. The University prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith of known or suspected misconduct.

Human Research and COVID-19

All in-person interactions with research participants by MSU employees, MSU students, or agents of MSU must follow current COVID-19 university requirements. In addition, where applicable, follow any local site requirements including facility (e.g., school, hospital) and city, state, or country requirements.

• The Principal Investigator (PI) remains responsible for implementing and monitoring changes to COVID-19 control strategies to avoid increased risk to participants and assuring that the research team has appropriate staffing, resources, and training to support in-person interactions with research participants.
• When possible, researchers should consider use of remote technology instead of in-person interactions, especially in areas of high COVID-19 transmission.
• If the in-person interactions cannot be done remotely, researchers should consider whether it may be appropriate to delay or pause in person interactions with human participants, especially in areas of high COVID-19 transmission and where there is no direct benefit to the participants. 
• Visit the Together We Will website for current MSU COVID-19 requirements. 
• Visit the HRPP COVID-19 website for information about human research (e.g. when are modifications required for COVID-19 changes):
• If you have questions about MSU requirements for face masks or vaccination, please contact the University Physician (Tel: 517-353-8933; email: uphys@msu.edu).
• Feel free to contact EHS (517) 353-1877 or cherryme@msu.edu to assist with any questions you may have.
• If you have other COVID-19 questions related to MSU human research, please contact Judy McMillan (mcmill12@msu.edu).

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Research and Innovation at 517-355-0306.

For emergency issues, please reach out to the appropriate unit listed in the left menu.

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