Administrative support staff who can do their work remotely should continue to do so until further notice. Service support staff who have been working remotely will be notified by their supervisors if and when they need to return to campus. This includes, but is not limited to, loading dock personnel, custodial staff, security, building maintenance staff and Instructional Innovation and Technology staff, among others.

In general, undergraduates can resume their planned research activities in the fall semester if approved by their mentor or supervisor. Students must engage in social distancing and wear a face covering while inside campus facilities, and the research must be conducted in compliance with risk mitigation requirements. Undergraduate students who are part of a specific research program should be managed by and accountable to the administrative office that oversees that program and not the Office of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development.

Our facilities team has developed a plan to provide regular cleaning and disinfecting around our campuses. A description of the plan can be found here: https://facilities.gsu.edu/files/2020/06/GSU-FMSD-Building-Services-Schedule-5-29-2020.pdf.

Faculty and staff have been provided with two face coverings, which have been mailed to their homes.

Face shields, masks and amplification systems are being distributed in the colleges, schools and institutes.

Individuals who work in lab settings will continue to receive personal protective equipment as required to conduct research.

Staff members will be provided with personal protective equipment based on the nature of their work and upon request.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

Yes. In most cases (including in cubicles). The University System of Georgia’s face coverings policy requires individuals in campus buildings to wear a face covering at all times except when alone in an enclosed private office, study room or dorm room in a residence hall. The virus can be spread through the air, and the risk of infection increases any time an individual is not wearing a mask.

No face covering is required when you are outdoors and six feet of social distancing is possible. However, we strongly recommend you wear a face covering at all times when on campus or in the vicinity to best protect yourself and others.

Students who are symptomatic may request a test through the Student Health Clinic. Faculty and staff who want to be tested should consult with their personal health provider or review the list of testing sites that are available throughout Atlanta under the Resources tab of the Georgia State Ahead website. The university does not have the capacity to provide COVID-19 testing to the entire community.

Employees who suspect a co-worker is ill should notify their supervisor. Supervisors should contact Human Resources if employees report a suspicion outside or within their department and request the identified employee to go home until confirmation from a medical provider is obtained that a return to work is possible. Employees may be asked to follow the potential exposure protocol for COVID-19, which is staying home until they are without symptoms, including no fever for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to work.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is responsible for contact tracing. Those who have tested positive or are presumed to be positive should contact Kerry Heyward (kheyward@gsu.edu) and Ijeoma Azonobi (iazonobi@gsu.edu) and employees should also contact their supervisor or department chair. Steps will be taken to identify and contact those at Georgia State who were in close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with the individual who tested positive. The name of the individual who tested positive will not be shared with others. Those in close contact will be advised to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about quarantining.

Students in residence halls who report an infection will be asked to return home. For those unable to do so, we’re reserving a sequestered area that will allow residential students to isolate while infected. More information will be provided soon.

Employees who fall into one of the Georgia Department of Public Health or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categories for higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 may request alternate work arrangements via the Benefits Office.

In accordance with University System of Georgia guidelines, employees who care for or live with individuals at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 have been asked to return to their campuses as scheduled. These guidelines are consistent for employees in public universities across the state.

Our goal is to provide as much flexibility and choice as possible within these parameters. Individuals may be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act or other policies.

There also may be options for flexible work arrangements within a department or course even if an alternate work arrangement is not formally available through the Human Resources process. Individuals interested in exploring these options should speak with their supervisor or department chair immediately.

Instructors who need an alternate work arrangement should do so as soon as possible.

Anyone who is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should submit an online report of the event. Close contacts (defined as being within six feet for 15 or more minutes) with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test should follow CDC guidelines, quarantine for 14 days and notify their supervisor. During the period of self-quarantine, employees may continue to telework if their job responsibilities permit and unless they are otherwise on leave.

Close contact is defined as within six feet for 15 or more minutes with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test. Anyone who is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should submit an online report of the event. If you are a close contact, you should follow CDC guidelines and quarantine for 14 days. You should monitor yourself for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, you should contact your medical provider. Students can contact the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930. Employees must contact their supervisor if they are unable to work or need to adjust their telework arrangement. They should contact their health care provider if they become sick and remain home.

Faculty and staff should return to work when they are cleared to return based on their individual circumstances and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. While a return to the workplace typically requires assessment and documentation by the employee's health care provider, this may not be possible due to COVID-19. Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work. Georgia State requires returning employees to be symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to work. Additional questions about fitness for work should be directed to the Human Resources Benefits Office by phone 404-413-3330 or by email at benefits@gsu.edu.

Employees should bring their concerns to their supervisor and discuss options available to support the work needing to be done while supporting health and safety. Human Resources can facilitate conversations with supervisors and employees to determine the needs and accommodations available to meet those needs. Possible accommodations may range from continuing telework arrangements to office restructuring, to possible schedule rotations. A request for accommodation for a disability should be directed to the Human Resources Benefits Office by phone 404-413-3330 at or email at benefits@gsu.edu.

Non-Georgia State faculty, staff and students are not allowed on campus for the purposes of conducting research at this time, unless they have obtained prior permission to work in collaboration with Georgia State faculty (for example, visiting scientists and scholars). Those approved to work collaboratively with Georgia State employees are required to adhere to campus safety protocols.

The Office of Sponsored Proposals and Awards and college, school, institute and department research administration offices are open, and staff will continue to work remotely for as long as possible or until all employees are approved to return to campus.

Reach out to the appropriate OSPA contact or your college research officer. Contact information is listed below.

OSPA:

• For National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH) or any other Department of Human Services(DHS) proposals: Tulani Murphy, tmurphy30@gsu.edu, 404-413-3571, 678-787-3062.
• Other federal agencies (including as sub-awardee to an entity applying for any federal agency): Michael Mathisen, mmathisen@gsu.edu, 404-413-3523, 817-233-6935.
• Not-for-profit entity: Margaret Matkins, mmatkins@gsu.edu, 404-413-3604, 404-895-1568.
• Industry, international or non-federal governmental entity: Katie Pope, kpope11@gsu.edu, 404-413-3543, 404-606-0898.
• Questions at any time: Ken Packman, kpackman@gsu.edu, 404-413-3550, 607-279-3391.

College and School Research Officers:

• Andrew Young School of Policy Studies: Denise Jenkins, djenkins@gsu.edu, 404-413-0006.
• Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing: Lynn Rhodes, lynnrhodes@gsu.edu, 404-413-1086, 404-574-8350.
• College of Arts & Sciences: Lindsey Hornsby, lhornsby@gsu.edu, 404-413-5486.
• College of Education & Human Development: Kathleen Halley-Octa, khalley1@gsu.edu, 404-413-8365.
• College of Law: Mignon Jackson-Jones, mjackson@gsu.edu, 404-413-9096.
• Institute for Biomedical Sciences: Cynthia Willingham, cwillingham5@gsu.edu.
• J. Mack Robinson College of Business: Laura Letbetter, lletbetter@gsu.edu, 404-413-7353.
• Perimeter College: Glenn Pfeifer, gpfeifer@gsu.edu, 678-891-2528.
• School of Public Health: Lindsay Grasser, lgrasser@gsu.edu, 404-413-1348.

With only few exceptions, sponsors require that requests for project extension be submitted through the university’s authorized representative. If an extension is needed, contact the appropriate OSPA contact for assistance.

• For NSF, NIH or any other DHS proposals: Tulani Murphy, tmurphy30@gsu.edu, 404-413-3571, 678-787-3062.
• Other federal agencies (including as sub-awardee to an entity applying for any federal agency): Michael Mathisen, mmathisen@gsu.edu, 404-413-3523, 817-233-6935.
• Not-for-profit entity: Margaret Matkins, mmatkins@gsu.edu, 404-413-3604, 404-895-1568.
• Industry, international, or non-federal governmental entity: Katie Pope, kpope11@gsu.edu, 404-413-3543, 404-606-0898.
• Questions at any time: Ken Packman, kpackman@gsu.edu, 404-413-3550, 607-279-3391.

Human subjects research may resume on Georgia State campuses beginning Aug. 24. However, researchers are encouraged to identify and use alternate ways to collect data and conduct research whenever possible (for example, via phone, Internet or digital technologies).

During the fall semester, human research subjects can participate in limited on-campus research activities provided the following requirements are met:
• Your dean has authorized you to conduct on-campus human subjects research.
• Your department/college’s procedures for complying with Georgia Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health guidelines regarding social distancing, hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment are observed during the conduct of on-campus face-to-face human subject interactions/interventions.

Research teams should observe the Georgia State standard public health precautions for on-campus visits related to human subjects research. If a protocol does not allow for observance of these precautions, researchers must submit a study amendment to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposing alternative study-specific precautions for IRB approval before interacting with visitors. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk from COVID-19. For studies enrolling individuals who may have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, additional protective measures must be presented for IRB consideration via a protocol amendment. See “What if I need to update my research plan?”

Off-campus, researchers are encouraged to identify and use alternative methods to collect data and conduct research whenever possible. See “Are Georgia State researchers responsible for ensuring that their research partners or collaborators adhere to recommended guidelines in community-based settings?”

No, but there are requirements that must be satisfied before resuming on-campus research. They are detailed in the above FAQ, “Is human subjects research allowed on campus at this time?”

If you plan to make changes to previously approved research when you resume on-campus activities, you will need advance IRB approval of those changes via an amendment. See “What if I need to update my research plan?”

The requirements for resuming on-campus human subjects research (see “Is human subjects research allowed on campus at this time?”) must be implemented for public health purposes and do not require IRB approval. Precautions that exceed or deviate from these requirements must be submitted to the IRB for advance review/approval; see “What if I need to update my research plan?”

If research procedures already described in an IRB-approved application will have to change to accommodate Georgia State’s standard public health precautions, submit an amendment to the IRB for advance review/approval. See “What if I need to update my research plan?”

Researchers will follow the standard reporting process if notified a human subject who was on campus has tested positive for COVID-19. If a researcher was in close contact (defined as within six feet for 15 or more minutes) with a subject who is positive for COVID-19, they should use the COVID Reporting Form to self-report their exposure. If a subject communicates they tested positive for COVID-19 after an on-campus research visit, the researcher should mark “Other” as the nature of the report and use the narrative portion of the form to provide details.

Researchers will follow the standard reporting process if notified that a human subject who was on campus has tested positive for COVID-19. See “What is the protocol for reporting possible COVID-19 cases in human subjects who have been on campus?”

Case investigation processes will include a notice to Facilities Maintenance that additional cleaning is needed. (See FAQ under Research Safety & Facilities, “What is the protocol for decontaminating a space once it is known that someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was in the space?)

University researchers working in community settings must follow, at minimum, the same safety protocols required on campus. In situations when face-to-face contact is required, interactions with human subjects must fully comply with Georgia Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk mitigation and safety guidelines or those guidelines applicable in other jurisdictions where research may be conducted. Precautionary measures taken by community-based partners for public health purposes and not for research do not require IRB approval before being implemented.

If research partners are not practicing precautions equivalent to those required on campus, you must submit a study amendment to the IRB proposing alternative study-specific precautions for IRB approval. If it is determined that community-based partners cannot support adequate protections for human subjects, the research should not take place until pandemic-related restrictions are lifted.

There are several things to consider when moving research procedures from being conducted in-person to online or over the phone. Any of these changes below would require an amendment to be reviewed and approved by the IRB. See “What if I need to update my research plan?”

Informed consent procedures: If procedures will no longer be conducted in-person, consider how participant consent will be indicated in the study record. One option is a Waiver of Documentation of Consent; this method allows researchers to obtain verbal or online consent without the need for a signature. To request this waiver, see the “Informed Consent” section of the study application in iRIS.

When providing details about new consent procedures, describe whether proposed new procedures will replace existing consent procedures or if the existing procedures will be resumed once pandemic-related restrictions are lifted. There are also methods for obtaining electronic informed consent that satisfy requirements for documentation of consent (for example, signed informed consent). Federal guidance permits electronic signatures if such signatures are legally valid within the jurisdiction where the research is to be conducted and Georgia’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (OCGA §10-12-1 et seq.) permits electronic signatures.

University researchers using Qualtrics to obtain consent should design surveys to be able to attribute the electronic consent to a particular subject to maintain adequate recordkeeping. Researchers using electronic consent processes or documentation should describe in IRB applications how they collect email addresses used to transmit forms and study instruments because that affects subject confidentiality and researchers’ ability to accurately attribute the electronic signatures to an individual.

Re-consenting existing participants: Moving procedures from in-person to online or over the phone may affect participants’ willingness to continue in the research. In these cases, re-consenting existing participants will be necessary and a plan to contact these participants for re-consenting needs to be developed.

Consent document: With the Waiver of Documentation of Consent in place, the existing consent document should be modified to remove signature lines and the consent language should be modified to fit the study. For example, “If you agree to participate in this research, please click the continue button,” or “If you agree to participate in this research, please continue with the interview.”

Confidentiality: If your study involves an interview to be conducted over video conference (for example, Zoom, Webex), state what protections are in place during the virtual meeting. (Examples: The meeting will be held via VPN to ensure privacy. The meeting will be locked to ensure only invited participants are allowed.)

Compensation: If your study involves compensation and existing plans state that participants will be compensated at the end of the visit with cash/gift cards in-person, explain what the new plans are for compensation. If additional information (for example, phone numbers, physical addresses, email addresses) will need to be collected in order to compensate participants, this should be mentioned in the study application.

Research protocol: Submit a revised research protocol reflecting new study procedures.

Yes. Full IRB operations have continued remotely and staff are available during normal business hours. Use iRIS for submissions and contact the IRB at irb@gsu.edu or communicate with the IRB analyst assigned to your projects. In lieu of in-person help sessions or consultations with IRB chairs and staff, submit requests for telephone consultations to irb@gsu.edu.

No. The IRB is meeting virtually as scheduled. Refer to the application deadlines posted on the IRB’s website.

If you need to modify the research procedures already approved by the IRB, submit an Amendment Form for prospective IRB review in iRIS. It may be necessary to modify informed consent forms. Proposed changes to research cannot be undertaken without advance IRB approval except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to subjects. Submit a Protocol Deviation form or Unanticipated Problem form within seven business days for changes undertaken without advance IRB approval.

If the impact on your research is limited to extended timeframes for subject accrual or completion of study activities, amending your IRB-approved protocol may not be necessary. Refer to the current version of your IRB application in iRIS and submit an amendment only if that information requires an update. For research that will continue beyond the current IRB expiration date, submit a Continuing Review Submission Form or Status Check Form 30 days prior to expiration.

Rapid research funding opportunities for investigations focused on COVID-19 will continue to be handled expeditiously by Georgia State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Research protocol submissions related to research on COVID-19 will be reviewed by each committee as soon as possible, and committees may be convened outside normal meeting schedules to accommodate the appropriate level of review. If your COVID-19-related project is subject to a specific start-up timeline, submit your project and protocol and follow up with the appropriate URSA offices to discuss time constraints the review committees should plan to accommodate.

• IRB protocols: irb@gsu.edu.
• IBC protocols: Daniely Danielle, biosafety@gsu.edu.
• IACUC protocols: Margaret “Casey” Kilcullen-Steiner, mkilcullensteiner@gsu.edu or IACUC@gsu.edu.

The Human Research Protection Program has developed COVID-19 resources for researchers. For the most up-to-date information or to submit a question, contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office at irb@gsu.edu. Information about IRB policies is available in the IRB Policies and Procedures manual and on Georgia State’s IRB website.

Principal investigators should carefully consider how to safely resume animal studies in the vivarium. This should be a collaborative effort between the research community and the DAR to establish a safe environment that will not jeopardize the health of individuals working in the shared space.

As of June 15, everyone entering the animal facility must wear a disposable or reusable face mask (as indicated by posted signage). Continue to adhere to the protective equipment (PPE) provisions that have always been in place — and supported by PPE signage — in the animal facilities. When wearing a disposable face mask in previously required areas (for example, ABSL2, ferret rooms, quarantine, ultraclean mouse room, hamster rooms, LRC rooms) continue to discard these face masks after single use. Hamster researchers were previously notified about the need to wear a face mask in hamster rooms due to the sensitivity of hamsters to COVID-19.

To minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission, the DAR requests principal investigators try to minimize the number of people entering the vivarium at one time. Researchers must also be mindful of maintaining the six feet of social distance between themselves and others. If crowding prevents appropriate social distancing in the room, consider rescheduling activities.

Hand-sanitizing stations are at animal facility entrances and exits. Sanitize your hands as you enter and exit. Sinks are throughout the facilities for frequent handwashing.

As is standard practice, researchers should continue to spray down commonly used equipment (biosafety cabinets, animal transfer stations, tabletops, etc.) after use with provided disinfectant.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Experts have not expressed concern about transmission to or from animals. Multiple international and domestic health organizations have indicated that pets and other domestic animals are not considered at risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19.”

DAR veterinary personnel will continue to monitor reports on risks related to research animals and will communicate those with the research community.

The IACUC, through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Office, is continuing to review submissions (for example, new protocols, protocol amendments for research and personnel, and annual renewals). Principal investigators should submit protocols and committee members should review submissions to the IACUC using iRIS. The pace of review has not been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and that is not anticipated to change during the return to campus. The IACUC will continue to meet monthly, although meetings will be held remotely as needed.

Online training modules will remain accessible via the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Learning Library. Members of the IACUC and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Office will continue to provide service and assistance to researchers remotely until they are phased back to work at their campus offices.

Contact the IACUC associate director, Margaret “Casey” Kilcullen-Steiner, if you have questions or need assistance (mkilcullensteiner@gsu.edu or iacuc@gsu.edu or 404-392-9118).

IACUC inspections will continue as required by law/regulations. Once researchers return to campus, the IACUC will complete the semiannual inspections of the laboratories that were shut down due to COVID-19. Required future inspections (such as adding new laboratory space) will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Every effort will be made to limit personal contact.

Rapid research funding opportunities for investigations focused on COVID-19 will continue to be handled expeditiously by Georgia State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Research protocol submissions related to research on COVID-19 will be reviewed by each committee as soon as possible, and committees may be convened outside normal meeting schedules to accommodate the appropriate level of review. If your COVID-19-related project is subject to a specific start-up timeline, submit your project and protocol and follow up with the appropriate URSA offices to discuss time constraints the review committees should plan to accommodate.

• IRB protocols: irb@gsu.edu.
• IBC protocols: Daniely Danielle, biosafety@gsu.edu.
• IACUC protocols: Margaret “Casey” Kilcullen-Steiner, mkilcullensteiner@gsu.edu or IACUC@gsu.edu.

Yes, the RES Office remains operational. The RES hotline (404-413-3540) and email account (eprograms@gsu.edu) will continue to be monitored.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee, Radiation Protection Committee and Laboratory Safety Committee operations continue to operate during normal business hours. Protocol submission, review and approval continue. Committee meetings continue as scheduled.

• Follow the social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while on campus. The guidelines require that you stay at least six feet (about two arms’ length) from other people, do not gather in groups larger than 10 people, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
• In areas where social distancing may be difficult (such as laboratories) consider staggering shifts or alternating work schedules.
• Coordinate with your colleagues to keep occupancy low in shared areas, such as core facilities or equipment rooms, by scheduling, planning your experiments and not entering when occupancy seems high.
• Hold meetings virtually or in small groups of no more than six individuals at a time (while wearing masks, practicing social distancing and performing hand hygiene).
• Wear a mask while on campus, which will help to protect others in case you are infected and in turn protect you, if they are infected.
• Wear your mask properly. It must cover your nose and mouth.
• Stay home and notify your supervisor if you exhibit any signs or symptoms of illness.
• Increase the use of disinfectants on hard surfaces in your laboratory, particularly commonly touched surfaces such as door knobs, light switches, centrifuges, BSC and CFH sashes and other experimental equipment.
• Wash your hands frequently upon entering and exiting the laboratory. Make sure soap and paper towels are available for use.
• Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not feasible or as an additional measure.
• Refrain from using each other’s personal devices, such as phones, keyboards or other equipment. Consider relocating personal items outside of the laboratory.

Obtaining any additional personal protective equipment other than the two cloth masks provided by the university to employees is the responsibility of the faculty principal investigator supervising the research project(s) being done in that space.

The Petit Science Center (PSC) and Natural Science Center (NSC) receiving areas are open during normal operating hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

There is a nationwide shortage on N95 masks. They are being prioritized for health care workers. Laboratory staff should consult RES to discuss experiment planning and alternative options.

For research laboratories and support areas (for example, animal facilities, hazardous storage or waste areas), the Research and Environmental Safety Office will be notified of the location and will coordinate with the occupants and Facilities Management Disinfection Team to decontaminate the area. The disinfection team has been trained by GEMA and will use specialized fogging equipment and an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against SARS-CoV-2 to disinfect affected areas.

The Facilities Management Disinfection Team will perform the disinfection. Once complete, laboratory staff will be notified by the Research and Environmental Safety Office that the laboratory is clear to enter.

Rapid research funding opportunities for investigations focused on COVID-19 will continue to be handled expeditiously by Georgia State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Research protocol submissions related to research on COVID-19 will be reviewed by each committee as soon as possible, and committees may be convened outside normal meeting schedules to accommodate the appropriate level of review. If your COVID-19-related project is subject to a specific start-up timeline, submit your project and protocol and follow up with the appropriate URSA offices to discuss time constraints the review committees should plan to accommodate.

• IRB protocols: irb@gsu.edu.
• IBC protocols: Daniely Danielle, biosafety@gsu.edu.
• IACUC protocols: Margaret “Casey” Kilcullen-Steiner, mkilcullensteiner@gsu.edu or IACUC@gsu.edu.

OTTC has remained fully functional with few disruptions in service. OTTC staff will continue to work remotely to the extent possible and will return to campus in a gradual and coordinated approach aligned with university guidance. Staff remain available via email and telephone during normal business hours. Contacts for OTTC staff can be found here.

As on-campus activities resume, OTTC will continue to encourage the use of Webex as an alternative to in-person meetings whenever possible, particularly if there will be multiple attendees or if space to conduct meetings is limited. If in-person meetings are necessary due to circumstances, proper social distancing will be practiced and face masks will be worn as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Other precautions may be implemented as needed.

The processing and negotiation of research-related contracts has continued without significant delays. In conjunction with colleagues in the Office of Legal Affairs, OTTC is processing and negotiating research-related contracts as normal, although we anticipate an increase in requests for these types of agreements as on-campus activities resume.

Faculty and researchers can request MTAs by following the process described here. If a new confidentiality agreement is needed to enable discussions with a potential industry or other partner, contact any OTTC team member by email for assistance.

Yes. Regardless of where our staff is working, new disclosures can be submitted. The disclosure document can be found here: GSU Intellectual Property Disclosure Form and Instructions. Digital signatures are acceptable on the disclosure form. Once completed, send the form to OTTC’s general inbox at intellectualproperty@gsu.edu and inform OTTC staff of upcoming publications or public disclosures. Contact any OTTC team member by email or phone for assistance or with additional questions.

We have experienced few, if any, interruptions or delays while working with outside patent counsel during the pandemic, and OTTC does not anticipate any substantive changes to patent-related legal work as on-campus research resumes. OTTC staff continues to be in close contact with patent counsel regarding upcoming deadlines, and we are aware certain accommodations are being made by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (and foreign patent offices) with regard to patent deadlines and fees.

Yes. The pandemic has had little impact on OTTC’s ability to continue negotiations with commercial partners. As on-campus activities resume, OTTC will continue timely negotiation for commercial licenses.

See the OTTC website for specific guidance for coronavirus researchers or contact one of our staff.

Contact the director of OTTC at cmichaels@gsu.edu.

• Make sure DUO multi-factor authentication is enabled on your account. If not, contact the Georgia State Helpdesk for assistance and see this page for more information: https://gsutech.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article&sys_id=fbddfea0db4d9f40601b502bdc9619a9
• Make sure your laptop or desktop computer’s hard drive is encrypted. Find more information about this at: https://technology.gsu.edu/technology-services/it-services/security/encryption/.
• Make sure your computer has updated security software (Cylance and/or Windows Security). Contact the university Helpdesk if you need assistance.
• Switch on the “Find My Device” mode. This can help you locate a device if it is missing or stolen.
• Don’t trust public Wi-Fi connections. Think carefully about whether you need to use the Wi-Fi or if your task can wait until you are somewhere more secure.
• If you must use public Wi-Fi to transmit sensitive data, always use VPN that offers extra layer of protection. You can find more information about VPN at: https://technology.gsu.edu/technology-services/it-services/security/virtual-private-network/.
• Don’t use unencrypted USB drives to store sensitive data. Instead use university-provided secure cloud-based services for remote file storage, such as OneDrive (FERPA compliant) or Dropbox (HIPAA compliant).
• Don’t let anyone else plug their USB devices into your computer.
• Always keep your devices with you. Lock your computer every time your step away from it.
• If a device is stolen, don’t try to recover it yourself. Alert police or security.