Hi Everyone,

The letter below went out to all the people at the Lab identified as "students". If any of you are supervising Argonne-associated students, please check that they did get it. And if they did not, please notify me and Tim.

Thanks!

Salman

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Dear Argonne students,

While Argonne's science and technology research is critical to the nation, your safety and well-being is our top priority.

As of today, the Laboratory has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, the CDC has stated the need for taking proactive measures now to reduce the severity of the outbreak in the weeks to come. Argonne will do its part.

You can expect changes to our usual operations to maximize the amount of research, including the operational support, that can be done off-site, starting next Tuesday.

Lab leadership knows your primary question is whether you will be asked to work remotely. You’ll hear that information from your supervisor in the next few days. Lab leadership has worked with each directorate to identify critical research and construction requiring access to our facilities, as well as the operational support required to execute that work safely. As a student, you will follow your directorates plan on what projects or work have been identified as work that could be done remotely. If you are instructed that you are allowed to perform work at the lab, all safety protocols must be followed for work to proceed. But essentially, if you can do the work remotely, you will do the work remotely. Our goal is to continue to operate, but in a mode that keeps the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission low.

Here is a list of items and tasks to consider at this time:

• Verify the Lab has your current cell phone, home phone, and address in Workday.
• Let your supervisor know of any changes in your schedule (sick, doctor appointment, etc.).
• Update the greeting on your Lab phone to provide alternative contact information for you, including your email. If appropriate, prepare to forward your phone.
• Gather computer (with charger), applications/software, data, resources (journals, papers, articles, etc.), and get VPN access to continue working on projects.
• Discuss with your supervisor and team what collaboration and communications tools you will use to stay in touch. Blue Jeans is an excellent tool for hosting and attending regular virtual meetings.
• If not already using Box, consider moving resources to the Laboratory’s cloud-based storage platform to store items and collaborate.
• Read the tips for preparing to telecommute that were shared earlier this week.

By taking steps to reduce the opportunities for transmission of the virus, we can delay and reduce the severity of the impact in our community and protect those most at risk.

If you have any comments or questions, please send them to Students@anl.gov. I will continue to communicate as the situation develops.

Best regards,

Meridith Bruozas
Manager, Educational Programs and Outreach

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Meridith Bruozas

Manager of Educational Programs and Outreach

Argonne National Laboratory

630-252-1751