COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
HUMAN SUBJECTS POLICY
I. BACKGROUND
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) has a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard the rights,
welfare, and dignity of human subjects involved in research. CMU is committed to the ethical
principles for the protection of human subjects in research set forth in the Belmont Report of the
National Commission of the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral
Research (1979). In addition, CMU is committed to insuring that all human subject research,
regardless of funding source, follow the federal requirements as set forth in Title 45 Part 46 of
the Code of Federal Regulations [45 CFR 46].
A vital safeguard of the privilege of conducting research involving human subjects is the
institutional review of all research projects to minimize the possibility of unacceptable or
unnecessary levels of risk to the rights, welfare, and dignity of human subjects. Careful review
of this type also enhances the likelihood that any given research project will yield results that are
accepted as valid by the scholarly community. Toward this end, and to comply with the
requirements of federal law, CMU has created a Human Subjects Committee, known as the
Institutional Review Board (IRB). To assist the individual researcher in protecting the rights of
human subjects and to minimize the potential legal liability of the investigator and the university
should a human being be placed at risk, the IRB is instructed to review all projects involving
human subjects.
II.
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Institution”, “University”, and “CMU” shall mean Colorado Mesa University.
B. “Institutional Review Board” and “IRB” shall mean the Human Subjects Committee.
C. “Federal Policy” and “Common Rule” shall mean the federal regulations in 45 CFR 46.
D. “Research” means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and
evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.
E. “Human Subject” means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether
professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or
interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information.
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F. “Intervention” includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered and
manipulations of the subject or the subject’s environment that are performed for research
purposes.
G. “Interaction” includes communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and
subject.
H. “Private Information” includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which
an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and
information which has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the
individual can reasonably expect will not be made public. Private information must be
individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by
the investigator or associated with the information) in order for obtaining the information to
constitute research involving human subjects.
I.
“Minimal Risk” means that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated
in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily
life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
J. “Harm” means injury or damage which can be physical, psychological, and/or social and
economic.
III.
STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
The following broad principles are the basis for CMU’s policy concerning review of research
involving humans:
A. Whereas, the participation of humans in research projects may raise fundamental ethical and
civil rights questions, all such research, funded and unfunded projects, sponsored and
unsponsored which is carried out by faculty, students, or other University employees, on or
off campus, shall be covered by this policy.
B. All activities involving humans as subjects must provide for the rights, safety, health, and
welfare of each individual.
C. The direct or potential benefit to the subject and/or the importance of the knowledge gained
must outweigh any inherent risk to the individual.
D. Participation in research must be voluntary and informed consent procedures must conform
to this policy and federal regulations.
E. An individual does not abdicate any rights by consenting to be a research subject. A subject
has the right to refuse to participate or may withdraw from research at any time without
penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject would otherwise be entitled.
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F. Safeguarding information about an individual that has been obtained in the course of an
investigation is a primary obligation of the principal investigator.
G. The primary responsibility for protection of human subjects rests with the principal
investigator, with support, approval, and monitoring by the University as set forth in this
policy.
IV.
APPLICATION OF POLICY
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, and students whenever they are supervising or conducting
a research activity involving human subjects, regardless of whether the subjects are members of
the university community. Both funded and unfunded research activities are covered by this
policy [45 CFR 46.103 (b)(1)].
No research involving human subjects may be conducted by CMU faculty, staff, or students prior
to approval being granted under the appropriate provisions of this policy. This restriction applies
equally to all categories of review: exempt, expedited, and standard. No contact of any kind may
be made for purposes of research with actual or prospective subjects until after the appropriate
informed consent form has been reviewed and approved or a waiver of informed consent has
been granted by the CMU IRB [45 CFR 46.116].
V.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE IRB
Federal regulations [45 CFR 46.107] require that the members of the IRB collectively have
sufficiently varying backgrounds to assure that they can promote the complete and adequate
review of those types of research activities commonly conducted by CMU. The membership of
the IRB must be highly qualified by experience and expertise, and must be sufficiently diverse in
terms of race, gender, cultural background, and sensitivity to community attitudes as to promote
respect for its advice and counsel in safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects. The
IRB may not consist entirely of men or entirely of women, or primarily of members of one
discipline. Federal policy requires that the IRB shall include at least one member whose primary
concerns are in scientific areas and at least one member whose primary concerns are in
nonscientific areas. In addition, federal regulations require that each IRB shall include at least
one member who is not otherwise affiliated with CMU and who is not part of the immediate
family of a person who is affiliated with CMU.
CMU’s IRB will consist of at least five members as follows:
A. At least three faculty members from different academic departments;
B. At least one academic administrator; and
C. One community member.
In addition, the Director of Sponsored Programs will serve as an ex-officio member.
Terms of appointment (except for ex-officio members) are for three years.
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The IRB may at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the
review of issues requiring expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRB, however,
these individuals may not vote with the IRB.
VI.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IRB
The IRB shall evaluate all research activities involving human subjects. The IRB shall evaluate
both the written protocol and the informed consent form to determine that they are in compliance
with the provisions of this policy and all applicable federal laws. Toward this end, the IRB shall
evaluate each protocol to determine whether:
A. The protocol is complete;
B. The documentation of the potential risks to the dignity, rights, and welfare of the human
subjects of research is adequate;
C. The proposed safeguards against the risk are adequate;
D. The objectives could be achieved with less potential risk;
E. The selection of subjects is equitable, taking into account the purposes of the research and the
setting in which the research will be conducted;
F. The procedures to obtain informed consent are appropriate and the forms used are complete,
clear, and non-coercive; and,
G. For research which involves more than minimal risks, the benefits to the subjects and the
importance of the knowledge to be gained outweighs those risks.
The IRB shall have the authority to require modifications of a research protocol and of the
project itself and to give ultimate approval or denial to the project. When the IRB approves or
disapproves a protocol, it shall furnish a written statement to the investigator. The decision to
approve a protocol requires a majority of the quorum at the time of the vote. The IRB may take
any of the following actions:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Classify the protocol as exempt;
Approve the protocol as submitted;
Approve the protocol contingent upon the incorporation of specified minor revisions;
Request outside review of the protocol prior to reconsideration;
Require significant modification of the protocol prior to approval;
Request the investigator to discuss identified problems with the IRB; or
Reject the protocol.
The IRB shall consider only the risks and benefits of the research being reviewed relative to the
possible harm of the human subjects involved. Research merit and social sensitivity or other
socio-political considerations shall not enter into judgments concerning a protocol.
The IRB shall conduct continuing review of research covered by this policy at intervals
appropriate to the degree risk, but not less than once per year [45 CFR 46.109(e)]. It shall have
the authority to observe, or have a third party observe, both the consent process and the research
itself.
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The IRB shall develop a set of written procedures it will follow for:
A. Conducting its initial and continuing review of research and for reporting its findings and
actions to the investigator;
B. Determining which projects, if any, require review more often than annually and/or
verification from sources other than the investigator that no material changes have occurred
since the previous review;
C. Ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB of proposed changes in a research activity, and for
ensuring that such changes in approved research, during the period for which the IRB
approval has already been given, may not be initiated without IRB review and approval
except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject; and,
D. Ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB, the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Vice
President for Academic Affairs, and the head of any external funding agency of any
unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others or any suspension or termination
of IRB approval.
The IRB shall develop and keep current a manual on the protection of human subjects. This
manual may be in electronic, paper, or any other media format as the IRB deems necessary. The
manual shall be made available to all members of the IRB and to all faculty, staff and students
engaged in research involving human subjects. The manual shall include, at a minimum, the
following materials:
A. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Department of Health and Human Services, Part
46, Protection of Human Subjects;
B. The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and
Behavioral Research, “The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the
Protection of Human Subjects of Research” (1979);
C. Public Law 103-43, Section 498A, Research on Transplantation of Fetal Tissue;
D. Colorado Mesa University Human Subjects Policy;
E. The written procedures developed by the IRB; and,
F. Copies of all forms developed by the IRB.
VII.
CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL OF RESEARCH
In order to approve research covered by this policy, the IRB shall determine that all of the
following requirements [45 CFR 46.111] are satisfied:
A. Risks to subjects are minimized, either by using procedures which are consistent with sound
research design and which do not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk, or by using
procedures which are already being performed on the subjects for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.
B. Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to the subjects, and
in relation to the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.
C. The selection of subjects is equitable. The IRB must be particularly cognizant of the special
problems of research involving vulnerable populations, such as children, prisoners, pregnant
women, mentally disabled persons, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons.
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D. Informed consent will be sought from each prospective subject or the subject’s legally
authorized representative and will be appropriately documented.
E. When appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the data
collected to ensure the safety of the subjects.
F. When appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to
maintain the confidentiality of data.
G. When some or all of the subjects are likely to be vulnerable to coercion or other undue
influence, such as children, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally disabled persons, or
economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, additional safeguards have been
included in the study to protect the rights and welfare of these subjects.
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