Challenges Associated with Re-starting Research on Campus

For all EEB graduate students, postdocs, and research staff starting research under a research lab reactivation plan

13 June 2020, updated 25 March 2021

Challenges associated with re-starting research on campus: resources and contact persons

First, we would like to acknowledge that this is a traumatic time period that has had and continues to have profound impacts on mental health and productivity. If you need help finding mental health support please see this google doc of mental health resources for grad students, postdocs, and research staff. (Also, all should feel free to add additional resources!)

The pandemic that we continue to contend with presents unique challenges as we begin to transition back to working on campus. We would like to reiterate a few points that were made in earlier messages, to be sure that grad students, postdocs, and research staff have a direct channel to support if/when needed. Below is a list of the departmental contact people for any issues related to working from home or returning to work on campus, and a list of concerns that you can and should bring to our attention.

Contact any of these people for issues during research reactivation

Alex Flecker, DGS (asf3@cornell.edu)

Michelle Smith, Climate Committee (mks274@cornell.edu)

Maren Vitousek, Climate Committee (mnv6@cornell.edu)

Jeremy Searle, chair (jbs295@cornell.edu)

Kelsey Jensen, graduate student rep (khj22@cornell.edu)

Types of feedback or issues that grad students/postdocs/research staff can and should bring to our attention:

Any feeling of being coerced into working on campus (should be completely voluntary)

Observations of unsafe behavior in Corson or other university buildings in which you work

Need for financial assistance to support working from home, or for other necessary resources

Anything else related to working from home or research reactivation

All feedback/issues will be treated strictly confidentially. Any follow-up actions will be undertaken with consent and guidance from the grad student/postdoc/research staff member submitting the report.

The EEB Departmental Planning Committee to Resume Research (DePCoRR) 13 June 2020. Updated 25 March 2021