Research Policy Handbook

18.3

Administrative Panels for Research Compliance

Now in Policy Details

Outlines membership and responsibilities of Stanford University's Administrative Panels for Research Compliance.

1. Membership

Stanford University's Administrative Panels on research compliance are appointed by the Vice Provost and Dean of Research.

2. Responsibilities

The Panels assure the institution's compliance with federal  and state regulations and institutional requirements for research and teaching activities by reviewing those activities which involve the use of human participants,  vertebrate animals used in research or teaching, biohazardous agents, recombinant DNA, and/or radiological hazards. In addition, the Administrative Panels are responsible for assessing current research policy and helping formulate new policy governing the conduct of research and training at Stanford with respect to the participants or agents under the jurisdiction of each panel.

3. Application

Although in many cases external regulations typically apply to government-funded research projects, Stanford policy is to apply such regulations to all relevant activities, whether they are externally funded or not. If an investigator has concerns with respect to procedures or decisions of a Panel, the investigator may discuss his/her concerns with the Vice Provost and Dean of Research with the understanding that neither the Vice Provost and Dean of Research, the Provost, nor any other Stanford official or committee may approve a protocol that has not been approved by the decision of one of the Panels, nor apply undue pressure on a Panel to reverse a decision.

4. Annual Report

Each Administrative Panel is required to submit an annual report to the Vice Provost and Dean of Research summarizing the Panel's activities for the previous year and recommendations for the upcoming year. Administrative Panel activities are subject to Stanford's policy on Confidentiality of Administrative Panel Proceedings (RPH 18.4).

5. Representation on the Panels

The term of tenure for members of the Panel is for the twelve-month period following the beginning of each academic year. Student representatives on the Administrative Panels are nominated by the ASSU Committee on Nominations. A representative of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research Office, a representative of the Dean of the School of Medicine Office, or a representative of the General Counsel may serve, where appropriate, as an ex-officio member of the University's Administrative Panels. Further details on criteria for appointment to the University's Administrative Panels appear below.

Questions regarding University policy intended to protect participants, the environment, or the public at large with respect to the conduct of research at Stanford should be directed to the Research Compliance Director or to the Vice Provost and Dean of Research.

Below is a summary of the charge, role, and composition of each of Stanford's Administrative Panels for research compliance.

6. Administrative Panels on Human Research

If any proposed research involves the use of human participants, the proposal must comply with the University's agreement on file with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This agreement requires prior review and approval of research proposals involving the use of human participants in research. Stanford has two types of Human Subject Panels; one dealing with research in social sciences and behavioral issues, the other panels dealing with medical research such as experimental diagnostic mechanisms, drugs, prosthetic devices, or other experimental treatments of human physical disorders.

A. Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Non-Medical Research

The Human Subjects (Non-Medical) Panel has oversight responsibility for the review of all University projects which involve human participants in non-medical research to ensure that the rights and welfare of the participants are adequately protected. In most cases, Panel reviews involve approval of a clearly worded consent form which assures that the participant is sufficiently informed of the risks inherent in participation and of the benefits which might be reasonably expected. The Panel consists of at least five members, including the following: faculty and staff appointed by the Vice Provost and Dean of Research, one Stanford student, one non-scientist, and at least one member from the community who is otherwise not affiliated with the University. The Panel meets as necessary to conduct its business. Questions pertaining to the use of human participants in research should be directed to the Research Compliance Office (650-723-4697).

B. Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Medical Research

The Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Medical Research has oversight responsibility for the review of all University projects which involve human participants in medical research to ensure that the rights and welfare of the participants are adequately protected. In most cases, Panel reviews involve approval of a clearly worded consent form which assures that the participant is sufficiently informed of the risks inherent in participation and of the benefits which might be reasonably expected. The Panel's jurisdiction is limited to research projects which involve either the participation of Stanford personnel including members of the Academic Council, University employees, students, and Hospital employees, or use of facilities of Stanford University, Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), or Stanford Medicine Children's Health. The Panel will not review projects conducted by Voluntary Clinical Faculty (VCF) except in projects as described above in this paragraph. The Panel consists of at least five members, including the following: faculty and staff chosen by the Vice Provost and Dean of Research, one Stanford student, one non-scientist, and at least one member from the community who is otherwise not affiliated with the University. The Panel meets as necessary to conduct its business, but no less than twelve times during the year. Questions pertaining to the use of human participants in medical research should be directed to the Research Compliance Office (650-723-4697).

7. Administrative Panel on Radiological Safety

The Administrative Panel on Radiological Safety is charged with the responsibility to advise the University on problems relating to radiological hazards. In addition, it is responsible for exercising the authority delegated to it by the President under the University's broad-scope licenses from the State of California, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other regulations. The Panel's objective is to ensure the safety of personnel and the general public and to make sure that those persons using ionizing, ultra-violet, laser, and microwave radiation comply with laws, regulations, and standards of good practice.

The specific responsibilities of the Panel include providing guidelines for and review of Local Control Committees for radiological hazards, providing a continuing review of the University's Health Physics Program, and providing the review and enforcement of the University radiation safety policy.

Members of the Panel are selected for their expertise in radiation science, including but not limited to the following: one representative from each Local Control Committee, and a Stanford University graduate student.

The Panel's jurisdiction extends to all programs and activities of Stanford University involving radiation except for the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), which maintains its own procedures in accordance with Department of Energy (DOE) regulations. The Panel meets as necessary to conduct its business, but no less than two times during the twelve months of the year.

Investigators who plan to undertake experiments or instructional programs involving the use of materials or devices which pose radiation hazards (e.g., isotopes, radiation-producing machines), should consult the Director of Health Physics (650-725-1412) and the appropriate Local Control Committee while the proposal is being prepared, i.e., prior to delivery of materials to campus and commencement of the work. For projects to be undertaken at SLAC, the SLAC Health Physics Office should be consulted.

8. Administrative Panel on Biosafety

The Administrative Panel on Biosafety is responsible for the review of the University's teaching projects, research activities and facilities involving the acquisition, use, storage and disposal of biohazardous agents and non-exempt nucleic acid work under the NIH Guidelines. For this purpose, biohazardous agents are defined as infectious/pathogenic agents classified in the following categories:

  1. Risk Group 2, 3, and 4 bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, rickettsial, or chlamydial agents
  2. Other infectious or transmissible agents that have the potential for causing disease in healthy individuals, animals, or plants

The Panel provides the University's assurance of compliance with applicable institutional policies, NIH Guidelines, and state regulations regarding the use of infectious agents and toxin-producing agents that have the potential for causing disease in healthy individuals, animals, or plants.

The Panel advises the University and recommends policies to guide investigators and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety in carrying out the University's Biosafety program in research involving recombinant DNA and infectious agents (see Stanford's Policy on Biohazardous Agents and Recombinant DNA).

Panel membership is comprised of at least eleven members who have experience and expertise in general issues of laboratory biosafety and in recombinant DNA technology, including two members from the community who are not otherwise affiliated with Stanford, a Stanford student, the University Attending Vet, and the Institutional Biosafety Officer. The Panel meets as necessary to conduct its business throughout the calendar year.

Questions pertaining to the use of biohazardous agents should be directed to the Biosafety Officer, 650-724-7818.
 

9. Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care

The Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care (APLAC) is charged with the responsibility to determine that all vertebrate animals used in research or teaching within the University are treated humanely and with proper care, and that the University is in compliance with all relevant government laws, regulations, and institutional policies.

The Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care is comprised of at least ten members as follows: five faculty members who use animals in research at Stanford, two faculty members who are not involved in the use of animals in teaching or research, the Director of the Veterinary Services Center (VSC), a Stanford student (an upperclassman with previous animal experience in laboratory settings), and at least one member who is otherwise not affiliated with the University. Alternate members are also appointed each year. The Panel meets as necessary to conduct its business, but no less than bi-monthly.

If laboratory animals are to be used in the conduct of a research or teaching project, a protocol must be submitted to the APLAC for review and approval prior to the commencement of the project and prior to the University's acceptance of an award. Investigators must comply with University requirements established by the Panel, federal regulations relating to animal care, and the terms of the University's Assurance filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Approval of a protocol may be granted for a three year period (or one year in rare cases) only after review at a convened meeting of a quorum of the Panel or by designated member review. At least twice per year, the Panel must inspect all facilities in which experimental animals are housed. It shall also conduct periodic inspections of facilities in which research or teaching procedures are performed involving animals. The Veterinary Services Center is responsible to periodically review the ongoing care and use of animals to ensure its compliance with the terms outlined in the research protocol.