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On-Campus SRC Activities

The reopening of Toronto Metropolitan University’s on-campus scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities is following a coordinated, phased-in process that is first and foremost guided by a commitment to the safety and security of our faculty, students, staff, and research infrastructure and facilities.

The university abides by public health directives and takes into advisement provincial reopening guidelines.

OVPRI support is available. Visit our Contact Us page to find a member of our team.

As of June 1, 2022, physical distancing, vaccination, masking, and health screening mandates at Toronto Metropolitan University-controlled SRC spaces will align with broader campus policies around instructional spaces.

It is strongly recommended that a mask or face covering be worn at all times while indoors. 

2-metre physical distancing during their routine SRC activities in approved SRC spaces is not required but strongly recommended whenever possible.

Where physical distancing cannot be always maintained, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn within SRC spaces, which includes the wearing of appropriate face masks. Eye protection (in the form of goggles or face shields) is suggested.

Reminder: proper hand hygiene must be followed when donning and doffing face masks or PPE and eye protection must be properly cleaned following each use.

PIs should be prepared to re-establish physical distancing, masking, health screening, proof of vaccination and Safe SRC Plans within their SRC Spaces in response to changes issued by public health mandates.

 Additional Resources

Physical distancing continues to be recommended whenever possible.

A mask or face covering is strongly recommended while indoors in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin while in any enclosed space where the public is permitted entry to or otherwise remains (e.g. lobbies, elevators, hallways, common areas).

Case reporting is no longer required in most cases. Students, faculty and staff are reminded not to access campus if they are feeling unwell, and to inform any high risk close contacts of possible exposure. 

Employees who may have been exposed in the workplace should report to their leaders. Additional guidance can be found in the  (google doc) Spring 2022 COVID-19 case management guidance for leaders (external link, opens in new window)  and the  (google doc) Spring 2022 COVID-19 case management guidance for faculty/contract lecturers (external link, opens in new window) .

Exterior entrances to campus buildings continue to be locked and only accessible by tapping your OneCard against the card reader to gain entry.

If you encounter an issue with access to your building or research laboratory, please contact Security using the intercom at the building entrance, if available. Or email security@torontomu.ca or call 416-979-5040. Please be prepared to show photo identification.

For more information, visit Community Safety and Security’s webpage about building access during COVID-19.   

It is important that when working in research labs and SRC facilities you adhere to the schedule to access to SRC facilities, shared pieces of equipment or infrastructure.

Online schedules to log and track access are crucial to maintaining orderly access and for case reporting should there be a positive case of COVID-19.

You must continue to be aware of the recommendations outlined by Health Canada (external link, opens in new window)  and Ontario Ministry of Health (external link, opens in new window) .

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.

If you are not feeling well, please do not go into the lab. 

Research personnel are encouraged to review the  (google doc) Working Alone or in Isolation Program (external link, opens in new window)  materials.

While working alone or in isolation is not always hazardous, some activities and tasks may present risks when performed alone due to the nature of the work.

You must continue to be aware of the recommendations outlined by Health Canada (external link, opens in new window)  and Ontario Ministry of Health (external link, opens in new window) .

Please review your laboratory safety resources (opens in new window)  available on the Facilities Management and Development website.

Please ensure your emergency contact information submitted to your department Chair or designate is up to date.

In the event of a major chemical spill, contact the Facilities Help Desk at fixit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5091 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. They will coordinate response efforts with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Outside of hours, contact Toronto Metropolitan University Security at 416-979-5040.

In the case of an emergency, call 911.

Researchers and Principal Investigators (PIs) are asked to re-familiarize themselves with:

We ask all researchers and PIs to review these procedures with their graduate students as the available staff on campus will be limited.

The Facilities Help Desk will be available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please contact the Facilities Help Desk at fixit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5091.

A maintenance and operations on-call supervisor will be available for urgent after-hours concerns and may be reached by contacting Toronto Metropolitan University Security at 416-979-5040.

Shipping and receiving activities are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

If you are expecting a delivery, we suggest you advise shipping and receiving (opens in new window)  and arrange for delivery or pickup. Shipping, Receiving and Mail Service requests can be sent to receiving@torontomu.ca. For immediate assistance, please contact the Shipping & Receiving Help Desk at 416-979-5000 ext. 7021.

For any questions about Facilities operations or if you require assistance, please contact the Facilities Help Desk at fixit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5091.

We recommend using a Toronto Metropolitan University Purchasing Card (P-card) for payment whenever possible while the university is operating essential services only. For additional information please visit the Financial Services Purchasing and Payment webpage.

Please continue to use the online Chemical Waste Disposal Request Form (opens in new window)  to help schedule pickups for biohazardous and chemical waste.

Researchers working with biohazardous materials are asked to email Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at chemical.inventory@torontomu.ca when they have placed biohazardous waste in the biohazardous waste disposal room on the second floor of Kerr Hall.

If you will be absent from your lab for an extended period, please purge your hazardous waste and schedule a pickup (see above).

Please ensure you have access to the biohazardous waste room in Kerr Hall. If not, please coordinate with Toronto Metropolitan University Security at 416-979-5040 to gain access.

 

 Off-Campus Research

It is the responsibility of all researchers, their personnel and students who are undertaking research off campus, in buildings where access is not controlled by Toronto Metropolitan University to follow any policies, protocols and procedures relating to COVID-19 belonging to the facility or location where they are undertaking the research.  

This includes requirements and responsibilities of research personnel accessing and conducting research on the premises. Please continue to check for updates from the institutions.

If your SRC activity involves human participants, please visit the Human Participant SRC Activity page for details.

If your SRC activity involves field work or travelling, please visit the Field SRC Activities page for details.

If you have not received communication on this subject from the institution you are working with (other than Toronto Metropolitan University), we suggest you consult with your point of contact at the organization and/or check their website.

 Additional Information

The following resources are available to any faculty or staff who are using SRC facilities at Toronto Metropolitan University as a part of the university’s limited return to on-campus SRC activities protocol. Please also refer to the  (PDF file) SRC Facilities Pre-start Health and Safety Checklist (opens in new window)  for more information.