Guidelines for Short-Term Visitors in Research-Related Activities

Posted July 10, 2009


Dear Colleagues,

Summer is a common time for researchers to host visitors at Columbia.  In many cases, visitors involved in research-related activities are appointed as officers of research or designated as visiting scholars or visiting scientists.  In a few very limited exceptions, short-term visitors have no appointment, formal affiliation, or designation with the University, but come to the University for a brief period for training or to observe research techniques.  In preparation for this summer’s visitors, the University has revised its Guidelines for Short-term Visitors in Research-Related Activities, first published in 2006.  The revised Guidelines are posted on the website of the Executive Vice President for Research at http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/selected-policies.  Although the revised Guidelines are being published now, they apply throughout the year.

Three highlights from the revised Guidelines are:

• All short-term visitors must register by submitting a registration form to the Director of Faculty Affairs, for CUMC, or to the Assistant Provost for Academic Appointments, for the rest of the University.  The registration form must be approved by the principal investigator and relevant chair, director, and dean/vice president.  A blank form that can be printed or downloaded is appended to the Guidelines at http://evpr.columbia.edu/files_sponsoredprojectprocedures/imce_shared/Guidelines_Short-term_Visitors_06-09.pdf
• Short-term visitors must comply with the University’s policies concerning safety, training, human subject protection, and other requirements.
• Short-term visitors must obtain a temporary University ID; procedures are described in the Guidelines.

 Special provisions apply to minors, defined as individuals less than eighteen years of age, performing (as opposed to being present during a tour for strictly observational purposes) research-related activities in University laboratories.

• A parental consent form must be completed and signed by parent or guardian to allow minors to work in a laboratory.
• No one under the age of fourteen shall be allowed in any University laboratory.
• No one under the age of eighteen may handle radioactive materials.
• No one under the age of eighteen may work with animals
• No one under the age of eighteen is allowed to be alone in a laboratory.
• No one under the age of eighteen can handle human blood, human cell lines, or any other material defined as “other potentially infectious materials” by OSHA (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030).

 If you have questions about the revised Guidelines, contact Carolyn Merten (for CUMC) or Pearl Spiro (for the rest of the University).

Sincerely,

Naomi J. Schrag

Associate Vice President for Research Compliance and Training