The compliance committees at the University of North Dakota are made up of five committees.  These five committees are the UND Conflict of Interest / Scientific Misconduct Committee, the UND Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), the UND Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the UND Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the UND Radiation Safety & Hazardous Materials Committee.  Here is some information about each of these committees:

UND Conflict of Interest / Scientific Misconduct Committee

http://www.und.edu/dept/rdc/COIScientificCommittee.html

Purpose: To develop necessary conflict of interest and scientific misconduct policies for the university, keep faculty abreast of these policies, and act on relevant referrals or complaints.

Membership: Faculty (six)

Vice President for Research and his/her designee - concurrent

with office (non-voting)

Terms: Faculty - three years with two elected each year

Vice President for Research and his/her designee - concurrent

with office

Selection: Two faculty are elected every year by the University Senate in April to assume responsibilities in May.

Vice President and his/her designee - concurrent with office (ex-officio)

Function and Responsibilities: To perform a thorough review of committee policies in even numbered years as preparation for any issues arising in the State legislative session in odd numbered years. This review is to be submitted to the Senate Executive Committee and the Senate Legislative Affairs Committee.

Acting on its own volition, upon the request of the Senate and/or others, the committee shall assume the following responsibilities:

Review federal and non-federal funding agency policies and develop/revise university compliance policies.

Take a pro-active role to inform faculty and university personnel of changes and potential areas of concern.

Consider referrals and complaints relative to conflict of interest and scientific misconduct.

Maintain and keep current committee website.

UND Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

http://www.und.edu/dept/research/html/animalcare.html

The main objectives of the committee are to: 1) enhance collaborative and multidisciplinary research endeavors across the colleges and schools, 2) keep the colleges and schools apprised of emerging and ongoing initiatives sponsored by federal, state and local municipal agencies as well as private entities that support research, 3) discuss current issues that bear on University research administration, and 4) discuss roadblocks and other issues that the colleges and schools experience in meeting their ongoing research efforts and aspirations.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a compliance committee established by federal requirements by the US Department of Agriculture and the United States Public Health Service. Institutions, public and private, utilizing animals are subject to these regulations and an IACUC operating at each such institution is the mechanism by which such animal-related activity is regulated and monitored. The committee is comprised of scientists knowledgeable in the use of animals, a veterinarian with training in animal laboratory science, and at least one non-scientist lay member.

MANDATED RESPONSIBILITIES OF IACUC:

1. Review at least every 6 months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals as a basis for evaluation.

2. Inspect at least every 6 months the institution's animal facilities (including satellite facilities), using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals as a basis for evaluation.

3. Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations as set forth in the PHS policy at IV.B.3 and submit the reports to the responsible Institutional Official.

4. Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution.

5. Make written recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the institution's animal care program, facilities, or personnel training.

6. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.

7. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals in ongoing activities as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.

8. Notify investigators and the institution in writing of its decision to approve or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals, or of modifications required to secure IACUC approval as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.4.

9. Conduct continuing review of each previously approved, ongoing activity covered by this Policy at appropriate intervals as determined by the IACUC, including a complete review in accordance with the PHS policy at IV.C.4 at least once every three years.

10. Be authorized to suspend an activity involving animals as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.6.

REVIEW PROCESS:

1. The review process begins with the submission of a proposal for an activity involving animals. This may encompass research grants, educational projects or demonstrations, or other types of testing.

2. Projects involving other institutions (educational institutions, commercial firms, etc.) or individuals at those institutions require an approval process at each institution and involved individuals at each site bear joint responsibility for the appropriate conduct at the other site(s).

3. An Animal Care Committee Review Form, available from the Center for Biomedical Research office, must be completed and submitted. If the project involves a grant submission, a copy of the grant application should be appended.

4. The application to IACUC will be reviewed for compliance with issues and practices defined by legislation and current accepted laboratory veterinary practice. These include (but are not necessarily limited to)

a. the justification for the species chosen and the number of animals being used

b. the rationale for the use of animals for the proposed procedures versus the availability of less invasive procedures, tissue culture, computer simulation, etc.

c. criteria and process for timely intervention, removal of animals from a study, or euthanasia if painful or stressful outcomes are anticipated

d. the proper use of euthanasia

f. training and experience in appropriate techniques of the researchers and co-workers performing the project

g. that the activities do not unnecessarily duplicate previous work

h. the safety of the working environment for personnel

5. The IACUC may approve the application as submitted, required modifications in order to receive approval, or reject the application. Application must be granted prior to the procurement of animals and their use in the project.

6. Approved projects must undergo full review at least every three years.

UND Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

http://www.und.edu/dept/rdc/regucomm/ibc/ibc.htm

The University of North Dakota Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requires that any research, teaching, or other activities which utilize DNA, recombinant DNA or involve the use of biohazardous research material be subject to a University Review Process and that these activities must be approved by the IBC prior to their initiation. The IBC is the only authorized University committee which can give approval to projects and activities involving DNA, recombinant DNA and biohazardous research material. The IBC will follow the NIH guidelines for DNA, recombinant DNA and biohazardous material research in determining the suitability of projects and activities and will provide an explanation of any decision not to approve a project or activity. Any project or activity not approved can be revised and resubmitted to the IBC for consideration.

All faculty or staff who plan on using recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials or conducting activities that involve the handling of biological materials in a research setting (live or dead animals, plant or animal pathogens, tissue, blood, bodily secretions, nucleic acids, toxins, etc.), teaching, or other activities must submit a completed, signed application form to the IBC Office, University of North Dakota, Twamley Hall Room 106, 264 Centennial Dr, Stop 7134, Grand Forks, ND 58202-7134. The IBC will then consider the application at its earliest convenience.

One copy of all funded grant applications utilizing recombinant DNA or biohazardous materials must be submitted to the IBC. The PI will not be able to access grant funds or begin the project until the IBC has reviewed and approved the project. Any changes to an approved project must receive IBC approval prior to their implementation.

Anyone considering the use of DNA, recombinant DNA, or biohazardous materials should contact the Research Development and Compliance (RD&C) office at the address listed above or call the Administrative Secretary at (701)777-4279 for a copy of the NIH Guidelines, the IBC Application Form and other pertinent information. Forms and information are also available on the IBC website.

UND Institutional Review Board (IRB)

http://www.und.edu/dept/rdc/regucomm/IRB/index.html

The University of North Dakota Institutional Review Board (IRB) must review and approve all human subject research conducted by faculty, staff, and students, regardless of the location of the research activity. It is the intent of the University of North Dakota (UND), through the IRB and the Research Development and Compliance (RD&C) office, to assist investigators engaged in human subject research to conduct their research along ethical guidelines reflecting professional as well as community standards.

The University has an obligation to ensure that all research involving human subjects meets the regulations established by the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This web site is designed to provide investigators and the UND research community with the materials and information needed to obtain IRB approval of their research projects involving human subjects, or materials obtained from human subjects.

UND Radiation Safety & Hazardous Materials Committee

http://www.und.edu/dept/rdc/RadiationSafety.htm

The Radiation Safety and Hazardous Materials Committee (RSHMC) was formed in 1978 when the University of North Dakota began the process of obtaining a Type A broad scope radioactive material license to replace the more restrictive specific licenses held by individual researchers. A committee was appointed by the University President in 1979 to develop and submit a radiation safety program, manual and license application to the North Dakota Department of Health. It was approved by the State Health Department in 1980 and the Radiation Safety Committee was subsequently established under State Health Department Rules. In 1981 its charge was broadened to include responsibility for the policies and procedures for all hazardous chemicals.