SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 10:00am
Meeting Room C410
MINUTES
Chair:
John Belshaw
Present:
Stan Copp, Janet Douglas, Vivian Feng, Martin Gerson, Margaret Heldman, Ian Humphreys,
Wanda Pierson, John Russell, Kelly Sveinson, Margaret Lerer (Notes)
Regrets:
Stéphane Guerraz, Scott Plear
Opening Remarks:
John Belshaw called the meeting to order at 10:09am. J. Belshaw then welcomed Vivian Feng as the new member of
the Committee.
1.
Approval of Agenda
J. Belshsaw called for review and approval of the Agenda for today’s meeting
The Agenda of April 8th, 2011 was approved by consensus.
2.
Approval of Minutes
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J. Belshaw called for review and approval of the Minutes of April 1 , 2011.
J. Russell noted the following minor changes to the minutes:
Action Item #10: Changed to read: Item 8.2.1 Insert the phrase two year renewable after the word staggered
and before the word terms then delete the phrase no fixed limit.
Action Item #11: Changed to read: Item 8.2.3 Replace the word annual with the word bi-annual basis and add
the phrase at the after the word Chair to serve a two year renewable term.
J. Russell advised that this change is to provide some discretion to review more frequently.
Action Item #15: Changed to read: Item 8.4.4 Delete the phrase Director of Research Ethics and insert the phrase
Research Ethics Administrator.
Action Item #22: J. Belshaw advised that he will be accessing forms PPM-1-12A, PPM-1-12B and PPM-1-12C and
reformat for Langara’s usage this afternoon.
Action Item # 23: M. Gerson advised that he had not yet approached SFU as he was awaiting information
pursuant to the MOU which has not yet been ratified. M. Gerson to follow-up.
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The amended Minutes of April 1 , were approved as amended by consensus.
4.
Tri-Council Eligibility: Review of Policy Drafts
i)
Research Involving Humans
J. Russell proceeded with a review of the amendments to the Research Involving Humans Policy.
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SASC Meeting Minutes–2011-04-08.doc
Action Item #1: Ensure that all strikethroughs and redlines show up on the printed versions of the
amended drafts of all policy documents
M. Lerer
Action Item #2: Item 5.2.1 Delete the following phrase “Student projects with the exception of that
research noted in Item 5.1.2 (above) and insert Student research projects (i.e., minimal risk coursebased research) involving a) living human subjects, or b) research on human biological materials and
human embryos, fetuses, fetal tissue, reproductive materials and stem cells (this applies to materials
derived from living and deceased individuals),with the exception of that research noted in Item 5.1.2
(above).
J. Russell noted that the definition of human research was now included under this item.
The earlier version of this document established review panels for course-based research.
There was some question as to whether research should go to these panels. There needs to be some
online conversation between the members as there could be potential problems for assigning jurisdictional
availability.
Action Item #3: Item 8.1.1 Delete the phrase the Ethics Review Panel or the and delete the phrase and 5.2
above, whichever is appropriate.
J. Russell noted that he had reused some language to include responsibility whereas the original policy item
was interpreted as a duty to review policies and procedures for content where he felt that we should review
all agreements and report any issues to the individual deans responsible.
Action Item #4: Item 8.1.2 – After the words operation, of and before Course-Based Research Ethics Review
Panels delete the phrase Establish guidelines for Academic Faculty.
Action Item #5: Item 8.1.3 – Renumber Item 8.1.3 as 8.1.4 and insert the following phrase as Item 8.1.3.
Review on an on-going basis for their ethical content Langara College policies and procedures affecting
research involving humans ands report any issues requiring attention to the appropriate individual or body.
Renumber 8.1.5 through to 8.1.8 as 8.1.6 through to 8.1.9
Action Item #6: Item 8.3.5 Delete the phrase As well they will disclose all previous collaborations,
associations, or conflicts and disputes, to enable the LC-REB to decide whether or not this would disqualify
them from participating in ethical review of the research and insert the following: As well they will disclose
disputes, conflicts, or collaborations with researchers whose research is being reviewed, so that the LC-REB
can make a determination as to whether they may participate in the review.
J. Russell felt that establishing third party consent was not sufficient - whether or not understanding is
present – dissent is to be respected - no coercion – if there is no benefit to them of the research. This is
similar to a provision that exists under the UBC policy on assent and dissent.
Action Item #7: Item 9.8 After the sentence “Prospective participants’ dissent will preclude their
participation.” insert the phrase Regardless of the individual’s ability to understand the significance of the
research, followed by dissent must always be respected where participation in the research has no prospect
of direct benefit to the subject.
Janet Douglas joined the meeting at 10:30am.
Item 10.3 – Discussion ensued around the meaning of the word “on” when applied to research involving
indigenous people and other cultures and ethnic groups. It was agreed to change the word to involving.
Action #8: Item 10.3 – In the title of Item 10.3 “Research on Indigenous People and other Cultures and Ethnic
Groups - delete the word on and insert the word Involving.
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Action #9: Item 8.1.3 Insert the word all after the word content.
It was moved by J. Belshaw, seconded by S. Copp and carried that the Research Involving Humans Policy as
amended be approved and adopted.
It was noted that subsequent routing of this document will be Langara Council and EdCo.
Alert: Potential Action Item: The Research Involving Humans Policy to be brought to the President and
then the EdCo in May.
It was noted that NSERC needs all three policies as a package. The ghost policy Intellectual Property is not
required immediately.
J. Belshaw drew the committee’s attention to the next item on the Agenda –the Integrity in Research and
Scholarship Policy.
M. Heldman proceeded with a review of the Integrity in Research and Scholarship Policy and noted that this
policy was taken from the documents that J. Belshaw provided from NIC & DCC and is as close to the NIC
policy as possible.
Action Item #10: Page 1 – Title – Delete the word Policy and Insert the word Preamble.
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Action Item #11: Page 1 - 1 paragraph – Following the words and promote Delete the words an
understanding of the issues involved in integrity in research as a means to prevent misconduct. The college
has processes to ensure ethical treatment of research subjects through the creation and administration
College Ethics Review Board and will investigate and take action if required on allegations of misconduct and
insert the following words and uphold integrity in research and scholarship.
Action Item #12: Page 1, under Purpose insert the word of, after allegations.
Action Item #13: Page 1 – 1. Limits – Delete all of this paragraph and renumber Item 2. Principles as Item 1.
Principles. Then renumber Item numbers 3., 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9 as 2., 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,
2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9. and renumber Items 4., 4.1 – 4.8; as 3., 3.1 – 3.8.
Action Item #14: Replace all occurrences of Langara College Ethics Review Board (LC-ERB)with the phrase
Langara College Research Ethics Board (LC-REB).
It was agreed that the committee would revisit the issue that RIH does not follow the scope of REB.
(Would be addressed by this policy.)
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Action Item #15: Item 3.5 – 1 Sentence – Add the letter s to the word human delete the words subjects after
the word humans then insert the words unless exempted by the Langara College Policy: Research Involving
Humans), after the words humans and before and then complying …..
Action Item #16: Item 3.6 – Delete the words Seeking and obtaining approval by the appropriate committee
or authority before engaging in any research involving biohazards, ionizing radiation, or any research
involving animals and insert the words Any research involving biohazards, ionizing radiation, or any research
involving animals will not be conducted at the college.
7.
Date of Next Meeting:
8.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
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th
Friday, April 29 , 2011 at 10:00am, Meeting Room C410.
SASC Meeting Minutes–2011-04-08.doc