1.6 IRB Committee, Infrastructure and Resources

The Kenyon College IRB committee consists of the Associate Provost, who chairs the committee, and as required by law, at least five * members with varying backgrounds including a Kenyon College administrator, at least one member of the community unaffiliated with the College, faculty members representing academic divisions/program.

Members of the IRB are appointed by the Provost with input from the Associate Provost and the chairs of departments and programs. To assure an element of continuity in the work of the IRB, faculty members will normally serve a three year term. No two faculty members may be from the same department and the IRB must include at least one member of each sex, whenever the composition of the faculty makes it possible.

Chair, Associate Provost
One member from the community
One member from the Psychology Department
One member from the other Natural Science Departments
One member from the Social Sciences Division
One member representing the Fine Arts, Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies
One Appointed Administrator to oversee the work of the committee (non-voting)

* Fed Reg. Title 45§46.107 specifies at least five members including: 1) a member from the community, 2) a non-scientist, 3) members qualified to discuss the research under consideration.

The Kenyon College IRB is supported an IRB Administrator and other administrative staff assigned by the Associate Provost.

The role of the staff is:

  • to receive and log all protocol applications submitted by investigators after they have been reviewed and approved by the respective department, program or division,
  • screen applications for the necessary forms and attachments,
  • conduct a pre-review of the materials,
  • maintain all records on a computerized database,
  • document actions taken at IRB meetings by way of written minutes,
  • convey IRB decisions to investigators in writing
  • maintain the IRB web site

The IRB Chair provides leadership for the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the protection of human subject participants in research. The Chair is also responsible for scheduling timely reviews of the process, conducting training and outreach programs, and submitting reports required by Kenyon College and federal agencies.

The IRB Chair presides at the IRB meetings and reports to the Provost . The Provost serves as the Institutional Signatory Official. According to current OHRP instructions for the FWA, the Institutional Signatory Official cannot be the IRB Chair or a member.

Kenyon College Legal Counsel, as well as the Office of the Provost, provides technical and/or administrative support as needed.