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Policy 7-100: University Research Committees

Revision 2. Effective date: October 11, 2022

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  1. Purpose and Scope
  2. Definitions
  3. Policy
    1. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
    2. Institutional Reveiw Board for Research with Human Subjects
  4. Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other Related Resources
  5. References
  6. Contacts
  7. History

  1. Purpose and Scope‌

    1. Purpose.

      This Policy describes the membership structure and functions of certain University committees which have responsibilities regarding academic research conducted by members of the University community.

    2. Scope.

      [reserved]

  2. Definitions‌

    [reserved]

  3. Policy‌

    1. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee‌

      1. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is federally mandated to monitor the care, treatment, housing, and use of animals in University laboratory and research programs to assure that animals are treated humanely and in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended, USC 2131 et. seq., Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR 2, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

      2. IACUC Membership

        1. The IACUC consists of at least five members of varying professional and personal backgrounds, appointed by the vice president for research, including at least:

          1. one Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with experience or training in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program responsibility for activities involving animals at the University;

          2. one non-scientist;

          3. one practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals; and

          4. at least one person who is not affiliated with the University in any way other than as a member of the IACUC and who should represent general community interests in the proper care and treatment of animals.

        2. No more than three members may be from the same administrative unit of the University.

        3. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms.

        4. The IACUC reports to the vice president for research.

      3. The IACUC shall:

        1. review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed research and teaching activities involving the care and use of animals to ensure that the proposed activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

        2. review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes involving the care and use of animals in ongoing activities to ensure that the proposed changes are in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

        3. at least once every six months, review the University's program(s) for humane care and use of animals;

        4. at least every six months, inspect all University animal facilities;

        5. submit reports of its evaluations of the University's programs and animal facilities to the vice president for research;

        6. review and, if warranted, investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the University resulting from public complaints or from reports of noncompliance received from laboratory or other University personnel;

        7. make recommendations to the vice president for research regarding any aspect of the University's animal programs, facilities, or personnel training; and

        8. suspend or terminate approval of activities that are not being conducted in accordance with the IACUC's requirements or that has been associated with unexpected pain or discomfort to the animals.

      4. An IACUC member may not participate in the IACUC's initial or continuing review of any project in which the member has a conflict of interest, except to provide information requested by the IACUC.

    2. Institutional Review Board for Research with Human Subjects‌

      1. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Research with Human Subjects is federally mandated to monitor review and approve research involving humans as subjects in accordance with applicable law.

      2. Each IRB panel consists of at least five members who are sufficiently qualified to execute the IRBs charge based on experience, expertise, and diversity. The IRB shall consist of members from more than one profession. IRB membership is determined consistent with federal regulations. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms. The IRB reports to the vice president for research.

      3. The IRB shall:

        1. approve research activity, specify modifications required to secure IRB approval of the research activity, or disapprove any research activity ensure that the proposed activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and, that the rights and welfare of the human subjects are protected;

        2. conduct continuing review of approved protocols for purposes of renewal of the IRB approval period, at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk;

        3. suspend or terminate approval of research that is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB's requirements or that has been associated with unexpected serious harm to subjects;

        4. review and, if warranted, investigate concerns involving the use of human subjects at the University resulting from public complaints or from reports of noncompliance received from University personnel; and

        5. consult with the University administration as necessary regarding the Federal Wide Assurance required by the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections.

      4. An IRB member may not participate in the IRB's initial or continuing review of any project in which the member has a conflict of interest, except to provide information requested by the IRB.


        Sections IV- VII are for user information and are not subject to the approval of the Academic Senate or the Board of Trustees. The Institutional Policy Committee, the Policy Owner, or the Policy Officer may update these sections at any time.


  4. Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other Related Resources‌

    1. Policies/ Rules. [ reserved ]

    2. Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms. [ reserved ]

    3. Other Related Resources. [ reserved ]

  5. References‌

    [reserved]

  6. Contacts‌

    The designated contact officials for this Regulation are

    1. Policy Owner(s) (primary contact person for questions and advice): Administrator for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Administrator for the Institutional Review Board

    2. Policy Officer(s): Vice President for Research

      See Rule 1-001 for information about the roles and authority of policy owners and policy officers.

  7. History‌

    Revision History.

    1. Current version. Revision 2.

      1. Approved by Academic Senate October 3, 2022 and Board of Trustees October 11, 2022 with Effective Date October 11, 2022.

      2. Legislative History

      3. Editorial Revisions

    2. Previous versions.

      1. Revision 1. Effective October 14, 2014.

      2. Revision 0. Effective May 15, 2014

    3. Renumbering

      1. The contents of this Policy 7-100 regarding research-related committees previously appeared as parts within another Policy, which as of 9/15/2008 was renumbered as Policy 6-300, and was formerly known as PPM 9-2, and previously as Faculty Regulations Chapter II. The contents were moved out of 6-300 and into the newly created Policy 7-100 effective May 15, 2014.

Last Updated: 10/13/22