Ethics in Research Committee

I. FUNCTION

A. To provide a committee structure to facilitate the operation of the mediator, inquiry, and investigation tasks mandated by the Ethics in Research Document

B. To provide for prompt and orderly processing of complaints regarding scientific or scholarly misconduct as delineated in the Ethics in Research Document (Faculty Guide)

C. To provide for prompt and orderly processing of conflict of interest complaints as delineated in federal requirements for research. (Sponsored Projects Administration Manual)

D. To select the arbitration panel(s) from arbitration pool, if required, to examine all relevant information to determine if the alleged misconduct occurred

E. To report findings of the arbitration pool(s) to the Dean of the Graduate School

F. To monitor, once initiated, the entire investigative procedure to insure the fair, confidential, and collegial treatment of the respondent

II. POSITION IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Reports to the President of the Faculty Senate, who shall report findings to the Dean of the Graduate School as outlined in the Ethics in Research Document.

III. MEMBERSHIP

A. Composition (5 members)

One faculty member from each college and L/AE

B. Selection

Faculty members nominated by the FS Committee on Committees and confirmed by the Faculty Senate

C. Selection of Chair

The committee shall meet in the Fall Semester of each academic year to elect a chair from its membership

D. Term of Service

Two years (staggered). After serving for two consecutive terms, a member will be ineligible to serve for a period of one year.   Exceptions may be made by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees or the Faculty Senate Elections Committee.

IV. COMMENTS

The committee shall submit an annual, confidential report to the president of the Faculty Senate.

The Ethics in Research Document is to be included in the Faculty Guide.

Whenever possible, a second-year committee member should be selected as chair.

The committee chair is responsible for creating and maintaining a Procedures Manual, a copy to be kept in the Faculty Senate Office.

REV 1/00; REV 4/2011