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Purpose

Review all research and research-related activity involving human subjects, as per mandates of the United States Department of Health and Human Subjects, Policy 45 CFR 46:

Sul Ross State University Policy and Federal Regulations require that research covered by 45 CFR Part 46 will not be allowed or funded unless it has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of Sul Ross State University. The IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities that fall within the jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and local institutional policy. Research that has been review and approved by the IRB may be subject to review and disapproval by officials of the University. However, these officials may not approve research if it has been disapproved by the IRB (45 CFR 46 Subpart A)

Mission

It is the policy of Sul Ross State University that all faculty, staff, and students conducting research using human subjects are required to have prior approval of the University. The researcher is responsible for the protection of rights and welfare any human subject involved in research, development and related activities. The researcher is expected to comply with the Federal Code (45 CFR part 46) on “Protection of Human Subjects”. These regulations provide a systematic means, based on established ethical principles, to safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals who participate as subjects in research activities. The goal of the Institutional Review Board is to review all human subject research in order to ensure compliance and to legally protect the population(s) being used in the research, the SRSU employees and students conducting the research and the University as a whole.

Primary Responsibility Area: University-wide

Primary Reporting Area: University-wide

Primary Authority: VP of Academic Affairs/Provost

Membership
Dr. Carl Igo Co-Chair through 9/30/27
Dr. Jennifer Miller-Ray Co-Chair through 9/30/26
Dr. Bernardo Cantens Administrator ex-officio
Dr. Eric Funasaki Dean of Research ex-officio
Dr. Oguzhan Basibuyuk Member through 9/30/25
Dr. Thomas Matula Member through 9/30/27
Dr. Thomas Shiller Member through 9/30/26

Forms and Documents

Reports

2020-2021 President Report

Resources

IRB Protocol Form

IRB Sample Consent Form

IRB Sample Consent Form-online survey

Upon completion, the forms above should be submitted at irbnet.org.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE USC COMMITTEE MEETS ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AND THE IRB COMMITTEE MEETS ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH DURING THE FALL 2022 SEMESTER.

The SRSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews and approves research proposals from faculty and students that require the participation of human subjects. The IRB ensures research at SRSU is conducted following ethical principles and in compliance with federal, state and university regulations governing research activity.

The SRSU IRB provides oversight of research that involves human subjects by:

  • Protecting the rights, welfare and well-being of human research participants recruited to participated in research conducted by SRSU faculty and students.
  • Ensures compliance with relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Ensures compliance with SRSU policies and regulations (under development)
  • Provides guidance to ensure sound research design, scientific integrity and determining if the research contributes to generalizable knowledge and is worth exposing subjects to risks.
  • Ensures adherence to the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont report:
    • Respect for persons
      • Individuals should be treated as autonomous agents
      • Persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection
    • Beneficence
      • Do no harm and maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms
      • Efforts must be made to secure the research subjects well-being
    • Justice
      • Fairness in distribution of benefits and risk
      • Who ought to receive the benefits of research and bears its burdens?

If you are planning a research project that involves human subjects and need additional information, please contact: IRB@sulross.edu.

IRBNet Information

TRAINING – New_User_Registration

TRAINING – New_Project

IRBNet USER’S MANUAL_SRSU

CITI Training

CITI Program Training Information

CITI Program is a database of trainings related to research, ethics, and compliance. All faculty and staff researchers are required to complete the Social & Behavioral Research Basic Course prior to submitting a research package to the IRB.

citiprogram.org.

Instructions for Accessing CITI Training

  • Go to the CITI Website
  • Click on the Register button in the top right-hand corner
  • When the Learner Registration web page comes up, type “Sul Ross State University” into the box under Select Your Organization Affiliation
  • Select the box next to I AGREE to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for accessing CITI Program materials
  • Select the box next to I affirm that I am an affiliate of Sul Ross State University
  • Click on the Create a CITI Program account blue button
  • Continue completing the registration information