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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Return to On-Campus Research - Process and Application

 
Sent on behalf of Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
Update 6:  September 21, 2020

 Dear Research Community,

 As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Return to On-Campus Research Task Force has been working collaboratively to advise on processes to facilitate the staggered and phased in expansion of research activities on campus. Since August 11, 2020, the university has been at Stage 3 for the resumption of on-campus research.

 Researchers wishing to resume on-campus research are required to complete and submit an Return to On-Campus Research application and Risk Mitigation Plan. In parallel to this process, researchers are advised to connect with the appropriate compliance committees (e.g. Research Ethics Board, Animal Care Committee, Biosafety and/or Radiation Safety Committee) to inquire about additional approvals that are required to resume on-campus research.    

Stage 3 sees on-campus research fully resume with necessary health and safety restrictions. Approved on-campus research includes projects that meet stages 1 and 2 criteria as well as on-going research for which significant setbacks will be experienced by April 2021, and new and ongoing research for which health/safety/distancing/mitigation strategies can be met, and for which Stage 3 building capacity exists. 

Stage 3 Assumptions:

  • Research activity that can be carried out successfully without impediment remotely should continue. Where researchers are having difficulty completing research activity while working from home, applications for the resumption of on-campus research will be considered.  
  • All projects will need to demonstrate appropriate risk/mitigation strategies in line with the Risk Matrix. A detailed safety plan will be required for all cases when the two-metre distance cannot be respected, or when other high-level risk factors exist (i.e. density issues; physical contact required). PPE will be a key consideration for approval in these cases. 

 Prior to return to on-campus research activity researchers are required to complete the online COVID19-Health & Safety Training

 I appreciate the strong commitment by our university community to the research enterprise and I wish all of you continued success with your own research.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation

les.jacobs@ontariotechu.ca