Office of Sponsored Research and Programs
Responsibilities/Actions of IRB
Composition of the IRB and Appointment of Members:
Federal regulations require that the IRB must be composed of at least five members (45 CFR 46.107). The University IRB shall be composed of at least eight (8) members. Representation will include members whose primary concerns are in scientific areas, such that social and behavioral sciences, education, business, and biomedical sciences are represented. The IRB should have at least one member whose primary concerns are in non-scientific areas, and a community representative who is not otherwise affiliated with the University nor a member of the immediate family of a University employee. At least one member (or alternate) must be able to act as an advocate for “vulnerable populations”, by virtue of experience and education. At least one member shall have expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In addition, the membership shall include men and women, as well as representation of racial and ethnic minority groups reflective of the composition of the University, when at all possible. All IRB members and alternates shall serve three-year terms, which are staggered, and they may be reappointed for consecutive terms.
If a member goes on sabbatical or other leave for a semester, then an alternate will take his or her place from the college they represent. If a member or alternate leaves the University or goes on leave for one year or more, then the Provost and the Institutional Official, in concert with the IRB Chair, will appoint a replacement for the period of leave or for the remainder of the member or alternate’s term, whichever is applicable.
The IRB Chairperson will be appointed by the Institutional Official. He or she will serve a three-year term with each year being a renewable contract between the individual and the Institutional Official, and he or she may be reappointed for consecutive terms. If either the IRB Chair takes a sabbatical, other leave of absence, or leaves the University, the Institutional Official shall recommend a replacement to the remainder of the IRB. The IRB members will then vote for or against this nominee, with a simple majority being needed for ratification. Once ratified, the new Chair will serve during the previous Chair’s absence.
IRB Policy document (Word and PDF):
IRB Policy manual (
PDF, 667 KB)
IRB Policy manual (
Word, 1.37 MB)
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