[bioundgrd] Fwd: Update: Clarifying event and gathering policies

[Janice Chang]

Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Suzy Nelson <nelsonsm at mit.edu>
> Subject: Update: Clarifying event and gathering policies
> Date: October 16, 2020 at 3:37:05 PM EDT
> 
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> Many community members have asked for clarity on COVID-related policies and guidance on how faculty, staff, and students may gather and interact with each other. We posted a new policy summary <https://now.mit.edu/policies/covid-19-policies-on-events-parties-and-space-for-students-faculty-and-staff/> that includes recommended ways for students to connect, ways for student group members to interact safely, and updated information on events, gatherings, and campus space uses. We also posted a COVID-19 Student Life Amnesty Policy <https://studentlife.mit.edu/faqs/covid-19-student-amnesty-policy-covid-19-policies> to lower barriers to help-seeking when behaviors (e.g., alcohol abuse) might pose a risk to students’ wellbeing.
>  
> We realize that many of us conduct multiple activities on campus (e.g., students can also be researchers and campus residents; faculty can also be heads of house; staff instructors can support both research and education). Below are some highlights of particular interest to those of us accessing campus for research and class-related activities:
> 
> This policy summary <https://now.mit.edu/policies/covid-19-policies-on-events-parties-and-space-for-students-faculty-and-staff/> notes that “you must be a Covid Pass participant to spend time on campus for any reason” including research and classes and informal outdoor interactions, and adhere to guidelines of physical distancing, face-covering, and visible MIT ID.
> Per posted guidelines for research activities, “it is recommended that all activities of laboratory-based research groups that can be successfully performed remotely, including one-on-one and group meetings, should be conducted remotely…” and that “non-laboratory research must not exceed 50% occupancy” indoors.
> For both lab-based and office-based research on campus, guidance on common space usage indoors <https://web.mit.edu/vpr/www/research/Common-Space-Guidance.pdf>, which may include conference rooms, we are not using those conference rooms for meetings. DLCs can consider using such rooms as scheduled lunch/eating rooms per the above guidance.
> While there are no events or gatherings indoors in MIT academic and research buildings at this time, outdoors remains a good place to take a break, eat, and interact on campus in good weather. While research group meetings are recommended to be conducted remotely, informal outdoor gatherings of small groups (up to 10 people) on campus are approved generally – provided the posted guidelines here <https://now.mit.edu/policies/covid-19-policies-on-events-parties-and-space-for-students-faculty-and-staff/> are followed. Notably for “informal outdoor gatherings,” circles for up to 10 individuals have been marked on several larger courtyards, which allow people to maintain 6 feet or more of distance while spending time together. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-use basis. These “circles of 10” illustrate the concept and other campus green spaces can be used in the same fashion by Covid Pass holders.
> Those of us attending or leading in-person classes this semester are aware that those classes may choose to meet outside on a nice day (e.g., in the same courtyards). Those classes meet with the instructors present, and since those class sizes might exceed 10 (up to 25), you may see outdoor “instructional outdoor gatherings” that are following those physical distance guidelines summarized in this same policy <https://now.mit.edu/policies/covid-19-policies-on-events-parties-and-space-for-students-faculty-and-staff/>.
> Touchdown Spaces <https://now.mit.edu/latest-updates/touchdown-spaces-now-available/> in the campus academic and research buildings are available to students and residents at the posted capacity (i.e., limited seats to facilitate spacing), on a first-come, first-use basis. These are options when students have back-to-back virtual + in-person classes, off-campus students need quiet study between classes, or residential students taking virtual classes seek a new place to study. Reserved quiet spaces in building E17 can be requested from building-access at mit.edu <mailto:building-access at mit.edu>.
> DAPER space utilization rules <http://www.mitrecsports.com/recreation%20-reopening/> allow access to faculty, staff, and student residents living on campus and to off-campus student COVID Pass holders. Broadening access to faculty and staff COVID Pass holders with a DAPER membership is under review for later this term. 
>  
> Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Suzy Nelson, Vice President and Dean for Student Life
> Krystyn Van Vliet, Associate Provost

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