Catalog 73 - National University

Policies and Proceduresstay in compliance with Federal and institutional policies regardingtraining, as a condition before conducting human subjects, as wellas assure that research protocols are planned, and conducted in anethical manner and consistent with standards established by theNU-IRB.The Office of the Institutional Review Board will only acceptelectronic protocol submissions via IRBNet (www.irbnet.org ). Allprotocols (including revisions and renewals) must be submittedelectronically via IRBNet, and all review decision letters will beissued electronically via IRBNet. Principal investigators, facultysponsors and IRB members will be required to complete humansubject research training through the Collaborative InvestigatorTraining Initiative (CITI). The passing rate is a cumulative score of85%. Each module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.Please go to www.citiprogram.org to register for CITI onlinetraining.An interactive IRB training course is available for all applicants,faculty and IRB Members. You may access ORI 18 – IRB Orientationfrom the main menu in eCollege using your standard username andpassword. There is a separate module for applicants, facultysponsors, and IRB members. User guides, FAQs, and PowerPoint’sare also available from this site for download. Students enrolled inthesis/capstone courses will be automatically enrolled or contactyour admissions advisor for enrollment.The Office of the Institutional Review Board can be contacted at(858) 642-8136 or irb@nu.edu.IRB Orientation (ORI 18)For students conducting human subject research. This self pacedcourse provides some key information about how to successfullycomplete the Institutional Review Board process at NationalUniversity. It is separated into different sections to focus on keygroups involved in the approval process: Applicants (Individualswishing to conduct human subject research (students and faculty)),Faculty Sponsors (Instructors teaching research courses), and IRBCommittee (Faculty who are approved IRB members). No tuition,non-credit. For more information contact irb@nu.edu or youradmissions advisor.Civil Rights Policies andProceduresComplaints Relating to Discrimination or Sexual HarassmentNational University is committed to maintaining a working andlearning environment in which students, faculty, and staff candevelop intellectually, professionally, personally, and socially. Suchan atmosphere must be free of intimidation, fear, coercion, andreprisal. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment onthe basis of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sex, color,physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status under anyprogram or activity offered under its control.In keeping with this commitment, the University also maintains astrict policy that prohibits sexual harassment, which includesharassment based on gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or relatedmedical condition and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Thispolicy applies regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of thecomplainant or the alleged harasser.It is University policy that all persons should enjoy freedom fromunlawful discrimination of any kind, as well as from sexualharassment, or retaliation for reporting a complaint. This policyapplies to prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment betweenmembers of the University community, including between studentsand other students and between students and employees or thirdparties, if the University has notice regarding or control over thethird party. Individuals who engage in prohibited conduct will besubject to disciplinary action.Grievance Procedures for Civil RightsViolationsThe University encourages prompt reporting of complaints so that arapid response can be made and appropriate action taken. Note thatreporting a complaint need not be limited to someone who was thetarget of the discrimination or harassment.The following person is designated to coordinate the University’sresponsibilities under the law and to insure compliance with theUniversity’s policies against discrimination:Vice President for Student ServicesNational University11255 North Torrey Pines RoadLa Jolla, CA 92037-1011Telephone: (858) 642-8036Any student who feels that they have been subjected todiscrimination by a student or by the University through any of itsemployees, contractors, entities, policies, procedures, or programsmay file a complaint with the Vice President for Student Services.The University will endeavor to maintain confidentiality to theextent permitted by law. Where the complainant’s desire to maintainanonymity constrains the University from attempts at establishingfacts and eliminating the potential discrimination, the University willattempt to find the right balance between the complainant’s desirefor privacy and confidentiality and its responsibility to provide anenvironment free of discrimination. The University has a duty toinvestigate even if the student declines to file a complaint or demandaction. The University may take more formal action in cases ofegregious discrimination that may require complete disclosure of allrelevant facts.Informal Procedures for Civil Rights IssuesStudents who believe that they have been subjected to unlawfuldiscrimination or harassment may use the following informalprocedures to resolve their complaint. This process may be used as aprelude to filing a formal complaint or as an alternative andgenerally is completed within thirty (30) days. It is not necessary thatthis option be used. Students have the right to file a formal writtencomplaint either initially or if they believe informal resolution is notpossible. Students may, at any time, elect to stop these informalprocedures.The Student Relations Coordinator in the Office of Student Affairswill provide any member of the University community anopportunity to discuss specific concerns in a confidential setting.Assistance will be provided to:• help the complainant understand the definition of discriminationor sexual harassment and determine if the alleged conduct wouldconstitute discrimination or sexual harassment;• explain the various informal and formal options available to thecomplainant, including strategies for the complainant to informthe offending party that the behavior is unlawful or unwelcomeand should cease, action by an appropriate University official tostop the unlawful or unwelcome conduct and mediation; and• identify various support services available to the complainant.The student may seek a resolution of the matter through discussionwith the alleged offender or person responsible for the program or50