The UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) will initiate the following changes in research operations Thursday, Feb. 10, due to the decline of COVID-19 cases in the community and because Nebraska Medicine ended crisis operations Monday, Feb. 7.
The request to voluntarily defer the start of new protocols and pause face-to-face research activities is now lifted. Investigators should continue to use remote visits, when and where feasible, and review all subjects for potential exposures or risk before any scheduled face-to-face visit. Location or timing of visits may still be impacted by changes in Nebraska Medicine or other clinical facility changes and/or staff shortages.
All enrolled University of Nebraska students can now volunteer in UNMC research laboratories if they meet the vaccine and mask mandate requirements. There are no exemptions from the vaccine policy for volunteers. UNMC-affiliated student volunteers can continue to volunteer in labs, including those enrolled in a course, part of a grant, or any recent graduate still working on in-person research activities. Host faculty are responsible for assuring student volunteers meet mask and vaccine guidelines, among all other requirements.
Volunteers working with UNMC researchers in clinical or other areas may do so if approved. This includes Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation and other community locations. Volunteers must meet UNMC and other facilities' vaccine and mask guidelines.
Other visiting students, faculty, or scientists wishing to volunteer in UNMC laboratories remain on hold. The VCR will be assessing this restriction on a week-by-week basis. The plan is to support Summer Undergraduate Research Programs on campus this summer but all programs are encouraged to plan for flexibility.
Non-essential visitors are still discouraged to come on campus. This includes study monitor visits that can be conducted remotely. If the visit is essential, the host department or faculty should escort visitors and ensure visitors follow masking guidelines.
International Scholar applications are still on hold but also under review by the Office of Global Engagement.