Phase 2 is coming... but it's more of a process. Read on!

[Bill Maurer]

  Dear social sciences staff, faculty, lecturers and grad students,

  I learned a couple of fun and unexpected things in my peregrinations
  through various Zoom meetings today -- like, there are some TAs across
  campus holding sections on Twitch! -- but I also have an important
  clarification of today's email from the Vice Chancellor for Research.

  Vice Chancellor Khargonekar's message regarding Phase 2 reopening
  included a date, June 8--just 12 days from now. First, this DOES NOT
  MEAN everyone will go back to their offices and labs on June 8! What
  this means, instead, is that beginning June 8 we will transition to
  Phase 2. What does that mean? It means we start the review process
  to gradually ramp up research activity that poses a low risk of virus
  transmission. Remember, too, that Phase 2 is a gradual ramping up to no
  more than 30% capacity in our buildings, consistent with the Governor's
  staged plan for gradually reopening the state.

  We are still in Phase 1. As the Vice Chancellor's message indicated,
  restarting research operations for Phase 2 will involve a School-based
  review process, within a framework provided by the Vice Chancellor's
  Office. The Office of Research has developed two forms: one, a risk
  assessment of proposed research activities to be re-started, and the
  second, a transition plan that includes a plan for risk mitigation. The
  latter will include a review of cleaning/disinfecting and other
  health-related protocols. And there are still A LOT of questions on
  campus about the purchasing and distribution of appropriate cleaning
  supplies and PPE.

  Department and lab managers: Although the campus Environmental Health and
  Safety office emailed you to ask, "How many labs are you planning to open
  up?", that reopening will be based on a review process which Associate
  Dean Mike McBride will email about in the coming days as we get further
  clarification from the central administration about the process and some
  of our specific questions. Also, if you have any research personnel or
  postdocs who are not on the email lists I've been using to keep faculty,
  lecturers, staff and grad students informed of things, please share this
  with them!

  Nevertheless, this is forward motion--at least for some research
  activities that pose low risk of virus transmission. I can't emphasize
  enough, however, this will take some time, this will take a good deal
  of planning and care, and this is an important first step in the likely
  lengthy process of reopening the School's research facilities--not
  all facilities.

  I used boldface and italics, people.

  Thank you, all, for your continued patience and your efforts to keep
  yourself and those around you healthy.

  Stay safe!

  Bill