Faculty / Staff Handbook VI

VI. Research Policies and Procedures

VI.A. Policy on Responsible Conduct of Research

VI.B. Research Involving Human Subjects

VI.C. Non-Research Activities Involving Human Subjects

VI.D. Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules

VI.E. Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research or Teaching

VI.F. Use of Controlled Substances

VI.G. Patent and Inventions Policy

VI.H. Safety and Environmental Health

VI.I. Other Areas of Research Compliance

VI.A. Policy on Responsible Conduct of Research

https://www.binghamton.edu/research/compliance/responsibleconductofresearch.html

VI.B. Research Involving Human Subjects

https://www.binghamton.edu/research/compliance/humansubjects/index.html

The University is responsible for safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in any research activity sponsored by or conducted at Binghamton University. This includes human subjects research by faculty, staff and students (graduates and undergraduates), whether funded or not. To provide for adequate discharge of this responsibility, the Human Subjects Research Review Committee, acting on behalf of the institution, must review and approve all applications for projects proposing to involve human subjects before the research can begin.

The University's policies and procedures regarding the use of human subjects in research are constantly being modified to ensure that the latest federal guidelines are implemented. Major changes will be announced through the Division of Research website, the researchers listserv, and Dateline.

VI.C. Non-Research Activities Involving Human Subjects

Generally speaking, classroom projects do not require IRB review. Please contact the HSRR Office if you have questions about classroom assignments involving gathering information about people through interventions or interactions, or using collected data with identifiable private information. It is the responsibility of faculty members to ensure that any classroom activity that is "research" involving "human subjects" as defined by OHRP is reviewed and approved by the HSRRC before the project starts.

Students conducting research that falls under the purview of the IRB at an internship site outside of Binghamton University may obtain an IRB approval from the collaborating institution through a Reliance Agreement. Please contact the HSRR Office to discuss this process

VI.D. Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules

https://www.binghamton.edu/research/compliance/institutionalbiosafety.html

Binghamton University provides oversight in the handling, storage, and disposal of potentially biohazardous materials or recombinant DNA (rDNA) used in research or instruction to ensure safe practices to protect campus constituencies, the community, and the environment from biological hazards and will abide all biosafety regulations and guidelines. The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules require the Institutional Biosafety Committee ensure that research conducted at or sponsored by the university is in compliance with the NIH Guidelines through the review and approval of all applicable research by this review body. Members of the IBC are responsible for providing the collective experience and expertise in research involving these materials and the capability to assess the safety of research protocols and to identify any potential risk to workers, other persons, or the environment. This policy applies to investigators engaging in applicable research and instructional activities. Investigators shall be defined as any student, staff or faculty of the University and anyone conducting activities either on property owned or operated by the University or in activities sponsored by the University conducting activities involving any of the aforementioned substances either on property owned or operated by the University or in activities sponsored by the University.

All genetic research must be reviewed by the IRB. This requirement ensures compliance with all federal, state and local regulations pertaining to the ethical conduct of research involving human genetic information.

VI.E. Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research or Teaching

Please contact Laboratory Animal Resources at 607-777-3836 for more information.

In accordance with federal and state regulations, all research or instructional use of live vertebrate animals, regardless of source of funding or location of animals (laboratory or field), conducted by University faculty, staff, and students, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). For more information visit http://www.binghamton.edu/research/compliance/lar/index.html.

VI.F. Use of Controlled Substances

State and federal law, as well as University policies, mandate that any requisition for, possession of, or use on the campus of controlled substances (narcotic and non-narcotic drugs) in research must conform to specific regulations. Information concerning these policies and procedures, as well as copies of the regulations, are available from the controlled substances officer. Please contact the Laboratory Animal Resources Office at 607-777-3836 for information. 

VI.G. Patent and Inventions Policy

SUNY Patents and Inventions Policy

Acceptance of the SUNY Patents, Inventions and Copyright Policy and other relevant policies is a condition of employment for state and Research Foundation for The State University of New York employees.

Intellectual Property: Patentable inventions, tangible research materials, computer software, and any unique or novel innovation in the technical arts or any new and useful improvements thereof, including methods or processes for creating an object or result (a way of doing or making things), machines, devices, products of manufacture, product designs, or composition, maskworks or layout designs for printed circuit boards or integrated circuits, compositions of matter, materials, any variety of plant, and any know-how essential to the practice or enablement of such innovations and improvements, whether or not patentable.

Subject to exceptions (c) and (d) below, SUNY shall own, and the creator shall promptly disclose and assign to The Research Foundation, Intellectual Property created, in whole or in part: (a) within the scope of their employment; or (b) through the substantial use of SUNY Resources, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Ownership rights to creative and course content shall be governed by SUNY's Copyright Policy (XIII. Copyright and Fair Use Policies).

Aside from creative and course content, the default ownership position resides with SUNY. However, for Intellectual Property that is not creative and course content if: (c) the Intellectual Property was created exclusively outside the scope of the creator's employment by SUNY; and (d) the Intellectual Property was created through no more than Incidental Use of SUNY resources, then personnel may be in a position to assert ownership. Creators of Intellectual Property satisfying (c) and (d) above shall submit an External Invention Disclosure Form as prescribed in SUNY's Procedures for Disclosure and Management of Patents and Inventions.

In the separate case of a student who is not also personnel, who creates Intellectual Property with no more than incidental use of SUNY resources, the student may retain ownership rights therein, subject to those restrictions that may be required by an external sponsor, if any. A student shall own the copyright to his or her thesis unless an agreement supporting the underlying work specifies otherwise. Under all circumstances, SUNY shall have an unrestricted royalty-free license to reproduce and disseminate student theses.

With respect to Intellectual Property owned or assigned to SUNY, SUNY, in recognition of the meritorious services of the creator and in consideration of the creator's assignment of the Intellectual Property to SUNY, will make provision entitling the creator and the creator's heirs or legatees to share in the proceeds from the management and licensing of such Intellectual Property according to the Binghamton University Royalty Distribution Plan (XIII.A.3).

Relevant policies, procedures and forms for disclosure of patentable inventions are available at the website of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships. Questions concerning issues related to intellectual property should be directed to that office.

VI.H. Safety and Environmental Health

See the Management Procedures and the Safety and Environmental Health section of this Handbook.

VI.I. Other Areas of Research Compliance

General guidance regarding stem cell research, radiation safety and export control may be found at the following links:

Please contact the Office of Research Compliance at 607-777-3532 or rescomp@binghamton.edu for further information.