This message is sent on behalf of URI’s Vice President for Research & Economic Development and URI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Dear Colleagues,

We are all living through an unprecedented period of time and set of circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. As of today, the State of Rhode Island is under stay-at-home orders by the governor, and yet the government and its agencies (including the university) are not shut down. At this point in time we are maintaining normal business hours, and our laboratories and studios remain open for work that is deemed to be essential and time-sensitive (at the discretion of principal investigators for individual labs and studios).

That said, all faculty, staff and graduate students who have the ability to telecommute are required to do so – and this period of working-from-home has now been extended through April 13, 2020.

In adapting the University’s research and teaching activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of our students and colleagues is of utmost importance. The University has undertaken unprecedented measures to protect our undergraduate students this semester, and this abundance of caution should also be extended to graduate assistants and research staff who are working in laboratories and studios and assisting with the delivery of online course content.

1. In keeping with our prior notice, dated 16 March, research activities that require a physical presence in a laboratory should be drawn down to a minimum necessary to maintain important, expensive and/or time-sensitive research;
2. Every effort should be made to adapt the work requirements of research and teaching assistants so they can work remotely – as much as possible – and to provide students and research staff with the tools needed to work from home;
3. No graduate assistant can be compelled to work in a laboratory, studio, or office that does not allow for social distancing or is otherwise unsafe;
4. Any graduate assistant who is sick, who has a family member or loved one who is sick where they live, feel that they have medical conditions that place them at higher risk, or are caring for dependents without access to childcare at this time, should be required to stay home for as long as necessary, without fear of repercussion or retaliation from their supervisor;
5. Expectations for the amount and nature of scholarly productivity should be adjusted in light of the current social distancing guidelines. In particular, reasonable accommodations must be made to allow students to deal with pressing family obligations and to promote their overall well-being in this stressful time.

Students and faculty who need further assistance or guidance in promoting graduate student safety while continuing scholarly activity are encouraged to contact the URI Graduate School and the Office of the URI Vice President for Research.

We all hope that these research restrictions will be as brief as possible, and that we can all look forward to a return to normal operations soon. Until then, please follow all CDC guidance on reducing transmission of the virus, and take care of your families and loved ones.

Peter J. Snyder, Ph.D.
Institutional Official, and
Vice President for Research & Economic Development

Donald DeHayes, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost