Three positions are open on NIU’s Institutional Review Board, a body required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to protect subjects of experiments conducted by the university.

Jerrold Zar, NIU associate provost for graduate studies and research and dean of the graduate school, said, “We have to have a research committee for research that uses experiments in biology, like drawing blood for blood tests, pyschology experiments in behavior and nutrition, and education experiments in learning.

“The purpose is to ensure that the safety of subjects is not at any risk of well-being,” Zar said.

Eleven people must be on the board at all times. Zar said, however, there are now three board openings, each with three year terms.

People needed for the positions are faculty members with expertises in education research, social science research or business, or a faculty member from the at-large campus without expertise in a specific field.

Zar said, “Every department can nominate for all faculty positions. (They can) suggest names, but two (nominees) must be knowledgeable in research.”

Departments may submit more than one name. The final choice is made by Zar in consultation with the NIU Provost Kendall Baker and NIU President John LaTourette.

A variety of positions on the board exists, such as an attorney for legal matters; two physicians, one from the university and one from the outside community; one clergy member; and four faculty members form varying fields.

Also on the board is a non-voting member from the Office of Sponsored Projects who acts as a liaison between the IRB and the office. This position is held by Gail Mitchell from the NIU Office of Sponsored Projects.

Office Director Linda Schwarz said, “The member of the staff who acts as the liaison is responsible for filing certain forms from certain granting agencies.”