How are we defining Visitor?
An individual who is not an employee or student at the University of Tennessee and meets either of the criteria below:
- The individual will have access into research facilities through a key or keycard access.
- Work will be performed independent of supervision by another person in the research facility.
For help deciding if the Visitors Engaged in Research Policy is applicable, please use this decision tree.
Where can I find the Visitor Information Packet?
Click here to find the Visitor Information Packet.
Does this policy apply to Visitors who are accessing Core facilities?
Visitors who are only on campus to access the equipment or services in Core Facilities would not be subject to the policy since they would not be considered to be engaged in research.
What is the effective date of this new policy and procedure?
All new visitors engaged in research who arrive at the university on or after November 1, 2020 will need to follow the new policy and procedure.
Where do I go for the online training module about the policy?
The training module is located in K@TE and can be located by searching “UT System Policy on Visitors Engaged in Research”.
What do I need to do for visitors that are already here at UT?
The effective date of the new policy is November 1, 2020. Any visitors engaged in research who arrived at the university prior to November 1st are not required to follow the new procedure.
What about recurring visitors?
The process for recurring visitors should include anticipated dates of visits and would not require multiple submissions unless there was a significant change to their external status such as changing external institutional affiliation.
For help deciding if the Visitors Engaged in Research Policy is applicable, please use this decision tree.
What about visitors who will only be in UT facilities briefly?
Visitors who are in facilities for brief periods (such as a day or two) typically do not have access to research data or work unsupervised, so would not require a Visitor Information Packet. The UT Faculty sponsor should supervise the visitor and ensure protection of research data during visits.
Are visitors in UT Extension covered by the policy?
Usually no, because they do not have access to research facilities.
Questions about the policy and procedures should be directed to visitingresearcher@utk.edu.