IEE's plans and processes for returning to research safely
The health and safety of Penn State employees and the community are our priority. Many IEE employees who are able to telecommute are doing so until further notice. If support is needed, contact our staff directly via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, or email us at iee@psu.edu.
Health and Safety
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has the latest virus information and tips to keep your body and mind healthy.
Employees working or visiting campus are now strongly encouraged to download and use the Penn State Go app Symptom Checker to verify your health and potential risk factor. The process takes less than 1 minute to complete and you are expected to use it daily or every time you go to campus. If you pass, you can go to campus. If you do not, please stay home and notify your supervisor.
Information for Supervisors
- In coordination with University Health Services, Occupational Medicine, and Human Resource Absence Management, instructions are available for supervisors responding to reported cases (suspected or confirmed) of COVID-19 in their work unit.
- Employees are also provided Guidance on home isolation or quarantine and returning to work after COVID-19 exposure.
- Occupants in the Land and Water Building, Energy and the Environment Laboratory and working at the Sustainability Experience Center are asked to coordinate with Gwen Bryson (gqb5236@psu.edu) and Alan Witmer (aew108@psu.edu).
- For current Penn State Environmental Health and Safety guidance, please visit: https://ehs.psu.edu/covid19
Researchers
Principal Investigators with on-campus research needs in the Energy and Environmental Laboratory or Land and Water Research Building, should review the following information and submit a request to Return to Research.
- For researchers with experimental facilities in the Energy and the Environment Laboratory or Land and Water Research Building, please see https://iee.psu.edu/returning-research-iee. OSVPR recommends that all researchers create a contingency plan to reduce onsite research if given short notice. Additional research-specific information is available from OSVPR.
- For researchers needing sample analysis at the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Laboratories (EESL), please check back.
Facilities and Services
As of May 19, non-essential research operations remain suspended at the Energy and the Environment Laboratory (EEL) and Land and Water Research Building. While Penn State and IEE plan to return to research, please see https://iee.psu.edu/returning-research-iee. The on-campus suspension includes research group laboratories in the EEL building as well as the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Laboratories (EESL):
- Radiocarbon Lab
- Water Quality Lab
- Center for Quantitative Imaging
- Organics Lab
- Deployable EESL
Graduate students conducting research for their dissertation or as part of a research assistantship are expected to continue their research activities remotely, in consultation with their faculty advisors.
If you are continuing essential research as defined by the University and require the use of IEE facilities, please contact Tom Richard (trichard@psu.edu) to discuss your situation.
Questions about facilities should go to Alan Witmer (aew108@psu.edu) or Gwen Bryson (gqb5236@psu.edu).
Travel
Employees are asked to limit travel where possible and consider virtual options that might replace or reduce the need to travel. IEE employees that need to travel on University business need to submit a request to the OSVPR Travel Request in InfoReady. Download and complete the Travel Request Form linked on the InfoReady page, click the Submit Request button to fill out a request and upload the completed Travel Request Form, use the Submit Application button to route for approval.
Your request will be automatically routed to IEE and OSVPR leadership and you will receive a decision or recommended changes within 5 business days.
Information for Employees
- Guidelines and FAQs regarding COVID-19 for Faculty and Staff are available at https://sites.psu.edu/returntowork
- Guidance on home isolation or quarantine and returning to work after COVID-19 exposure
Telecommuting
Employees whose jobs allow for telecommuting should do so.
IT Support
IT questions and needs can be sent to Central IT or IEE's Chris Pfeiffer (cxp7@psu.edu). In-person support may be requested and scheduled.
- Zoom
- Penn State VPN
- Jabber
- Telephone support (VPN required)
Events
An order issued by Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine on July 15 prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 25 and outdoor gatherings of more than 250. (Classrooms are exempt from this order.)
- Indoor meetings and events of between 11 and 25 participants require IEE permission. No indoor meetings or events of more than 25 participants are permitted.
- Outdoor meetings and events of between 11 and 250 participants require IEE permission. No outdoor meetings or events of more than 250 participants are permitted.
Submit a request using the IEE In-Person Meeting Request Form at least 5 business days in advance.
If you are scheduling/rescheduling/canceling an event that you would like us to update or add to our calendar, please send information to Kevin Sliman (krs150@psu.edu).
In Case of Emergency
Be sure to verify or update your contact and emergency contact in Workday.