Institutional Review Board and Animal Welfare Committee Update Delete



Reports to Senior Vice President for Academic Administration

 

Membership

Eight members (five appointed by the academic Research Committee, three ex officio). The Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and Biblical Foundations of Faith and Learning (chair). Three Academic Research Committee members appointed for a one-year renewable term. The three members are selected by appointing one from each of the following areas: (1) Science/ Math (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Math, and Physics), (2) Life Sciences (Academic Technology, Faculty Development/On–line Campus, Business, Education, Journalism & Communication, Nursing, Physical Education, Psychology, Social Work, and Technology), (3) Liberal Arts (English, History, Library, Modern Languages, Music, Religion, and Visual Art & Design). The Academic Research Committee Chair, ex officio, Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, ex officio, a veterinarian (not affiliated with Southern), and a physician (not affiliated with Southern).

Purpose

The purpose of the Institutional Review Board is

  1. To recommend to the Academic Research Committee (ARC) policies and procedures for the conduct of academic research involving human subjects, animals, and plants campus-wide,
  2. To review all academic research proposals to determine whether they are exempt from IRB approval
  3. To review for approval, all non-exempt academic research proposals involving human subjects, animals, and plants
  4. To ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical mandates and provisions relating to research involving human subjects, animals, and plants
  5. To coordinate with the ARC, with Academic Administration, and with the Graduate and Professional Studies in maintaining records of on-going academic research 
  6. To coordinate with the ARC, with Academic Administration, and with the Graduate and Professional Studies in maintaining records of ethics training of faculty and students.

The Institutional Review Board

  1. Complies with approved policies and procedures that ensure the integrity of campus-wide exempt and non-exempt academic research
  2. Provides certified research compliance training for faculty and students involved in academic research
  3. Makes available to faculty and students the necessary IRB applications needed for IRB approval
  4. Provides assistance needed by faculty and students in completing the necessary IRB applications
  5. Reviews to approve, exempt, require modifications to secure approval, or disapprove all research activities proposals covered by this policy
  6. Conducts review of on-going research at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk, but not less than once per year
  7. Reviews proposed changes in research activities to ensure that changes in approved research, during the period for which IRB approval has been given, continues to comply with IRB protocols
  8. Requires that information given to subjects as part of informed consent is in accordance with policy
  9. Requires or waive documentation of informed consent
  10. Notifies, in writing, investigators and the institution of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research activity or of modifications required to secure IRB approval of the research activity. If the IRB decides to disapprove a research activity, it shall include in its written notification a statement of the reasons for its decision; and give the investigator an opportunity to respond in person or in writing
  11. Monitors and provides additional safeguards when vulnerable subjects (minors, mentally incompetent, prisoners, economically disadvantaged, pregnant females) are involved in the research in order to protect against coercion or undue influence
  12. Conducts its review of potentially sensitive research (except when an approved exempt or expedited review procedure is used) at convened meetings where a majority of the members of the IRB are present
  13. Approves potentially sensitive research only with the concurrence of a majority of those members in attendance or with an e-vote
  14. Reports to the Graduate Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration on any continuing or serious matters of non-compliance by investigators with the requirements and determination by the IRB
  15. Suspends or terminates approval of research that is not in compliance with the IRB’s determinations or has been associated with unexpected serious harm to subjects
  16. Maintains up-to-date records of all research conducted
  17. Maintains all records on the Institutional Review Board’s SharePoint Site
  18. Retains copies of all research proposals reviewed, scientific evaluations, if any, that accompany proposals, approved sample consent documents, approved advertising or other solicitations for subjects, progress reports and injuries to subjects
  19. Maintains minutes of all IRB meetings, which shall be in sufficient detail, to show meeting attendance, actions taken by the IRB, the vote on these actions, including the number of members voting for, against, and abstaining, the basis for requiring changes in or disapproving research, and a written summary of the discussion of controversial issues and their resolution
  20. Maintains records of IRB training programs, including faculty and student completion of CITI training
  21. Maintains records of continuing review activities
  22. Retains copies of all correspondence between the IRB and investigators
  23. Maintains listings of all IRB members identified by name, earned degrees, and their professional representative capacity
  24. Maintains a manual and website outlining IRB procedures and provides all IRB applications and forms

This committee includes responsibilities previously held by:

  • Animal Care and Use Subcommittee