Project Completion & Continuing Review

In the instance of IRB disapproval of a project, or of a contingency approval, a project director/researcher may request an appeal hearing before the IRB in full. Records and notice of action will be provided.

No other University approval may be provided in opposition to IRB disapproval. However, IRB approved projects may be disapproved by other offices of the University.

Department Review Committees (DRCs) may be formed to handle the review of class projects and faculty or student research proposals within the department. Applications for the formation of a departmental review committee should be sent to the IRB c/o the Graduate Studies & Extended Learning Office (CB 115). The applications should include a letter of intent to form a committee along with the names of the DRC chair and members. DRCs are required to meet the following conditions:

1. Types of Reviews
   • Department Review Committees (DRCs) will only evaluate proposals from department students and faculty submitted for expedited and exempt status reviews.
   • DRCs may not evaluate proposals for:
     • Research conducted by faculty, other than in course related activities
     • Research funded by external grants
     • Research involving minors and other vulnerable populations
2. Membership
   • There will be a minimum of three (3) members (including the committee chair).
   • Department Review Committees (DRCs) must provide the IRB list of their committee members each academic year.
   • DRC Chairs (or a DRC representative) will serve as non-voting, ex officio members to the IRB.
3. Policies and Procedures
   • Department Review Committees (DRCs) must adhere to all IRB policies and procedures.
   • The IRB Chair will familiarize department committee members with IRB policies and procedures before committees begin reviewing departmental research proposals.
   • DRCs will maintain all records from reviews for three (3) years.
   • The IRB will review files each fall semester in order to insure compliance with policies and procedures
   • DRCs will be designated "inactive" if they do not process any proposals during an academic year. Active status may be reinstated upon a renewal training orientation with the IRB chair, and current NIH training certificates from the DRC members.
   • The DRC chair will submit to the IRB all training certificates for the investigators of proposals they process.
4. Forms
   • All appropriate IRB forms must be used by department committees.
   • Other forms may be used for routing and reviewing proposals.
5. Proposals
   • Department Review Committees (DRCs) must submit to the IRB a list of all of the proposals they processed for each academic year.
   • The list must be submitted by the completion of the spring semester.
   • The spreadsheet format for this list is available through the Graduate Studies Office.
6. Project Completion and Continuing Reviews
   • Department Review Committees (DRCs) must submit to the IRB a list of all of the project completion and continuing reviews for each academic year.
   • The list must be submitted electronically in spreadsheet format to the Graduate Studies Office at the end of each semester.
   • The spreadsheet format for this list is available through the Graduate Studies Office.
   • Departmental Review Committee (DRC) members are required to complete an OHRP approved online training course and submit their certificate of training to the IRB chair within thirty-days of being appointed to the committee.
   • DRC members are encouraged to pursue additional training through videotape and IRB sponsored workshops.
   • DRC members will be invited to attend IRB meetings whenever the agenda deals with issues pertinent to IRB procedures and training.
   • Inactive DRCs cannot become active again until all of its members complete the NIH on-line training program and meet with the IRB chair for a renewal orientation meeting. Current on-line training certificates must be submitted to the IRB chair prior to scheduling the renewal orientation meeting.