March 20, 2020
Dear Research Colleagues,
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is a very difficult situation for all of us and would like to assure you that our Animal Care team is committed to protecting the health and well-being of the staff and animals that are entrusted to us. We are also committed to maintaining your research efforts as much as we possibly can during this crisis.
Some of the decisions that we are being forced to take collectively are going to be very difficult. We are working closely with our University Emergency Operations Committee to respond appropriately to rapidly changing scenarios and will provide updates as the situation evolves.
Below are several important updates and recommendations on how we must manage research projects now. With new directives continually being issued by Local, State and Federal authorities, our Animal Care Unit has been working with peer institutions and national agencies to develop a Phased Approach to manage this emergency situation.
Please note that we are in Phase II and must now implement some actions of Phase III in order to maintain Rutgers’ ability to support animal research in the long term.
Sincerely,
S. David Kimball, Senior Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Jeetendra Eswaraka, Assistant Vice President, Animal Care
With support from:
Christopher J. Molloy, Chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Brian L. Strom, Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical & Health Sciences
Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark
Phoebe A. Haddon, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Camden