Charge:  

To maintain familiarity with federal guidelines concerning the use of human participants in research; to review and recommend appropriate changes in institutional policies and procedures concerning the use of human participants in research; to review and make recommendations concerning proposed use of human participants in research at the institution; to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of human participants in research; to maintain awareness of federal guidelines, policies and federal compliance.   

Meeting Schedule:  

The Institutional Review Board will meet on the following dates to review human subjects research proposals that require full board review (i.e. do not qualify for exemption or expedited review): 

  • October 6, 2023 
  • November 3, 2023 
  • December 1, 2023 
  • Febuary 2, 2024 
  • March 1, 2024 
  • April 5, 2024 
  • May 3, 2024 

Investigators anticipating that their projects will require full board review must submit their complete proposals to  irb@semo.edu  no later than the Friday  before  the scheduled meeting date. If the Friday before the meeting date falls on a University holiday, investigators should submit their complete proposals by the last business day before the holiday. Investigators who plan to commence research over Winter Break or over Summer are advised to submit their proposals in time to be reviewed at the December or May meetings to avoid delays in approval, as the full board does not meet regularly outside of the regular fall and spring semesters.  

Procedure to follow for approval of a proposed study:  

  • Complete the Human Subjects Research Determination Worksheet (Determination Form). If the completed worksheet instructs you to submit your study for IRB review, continue to step 2.  
  • If you have determined by completing the Determination Form that your project involves human subjects research, complete the Initial Review Form.  
  • In order to be approved to conduct human subjects research, you will have to complete appropriate training as specified in Section 1 of the Initial Review Form, "Research Personnel." You can do this by going to citiprogram.org ; see "Obtaining Human Subjects Researcher Training."  
  • After completing the Initial Review form, send it electronically to  irb@semo.edu  for review.   

Obtaining human subjects researcher training:  

  • Select Southeast Missouri State University as your institution; do not do the training as an independent learner.  
  • Fill out the form with your personal information. Use your Southeast email as the primary email account.  
  • Choose a username, password, and security question and answer.  
  • After you have registered, you will have the opportunity to select your training via three questions. Under Question 1, choose the appropriate kind of Human Subjects Research training. For most proposals, this will be "IRB for Social and Behavioral". Under Question 2, choose appropriate Responsible Conduct of Research training; this is usually Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research course. Question 3 may be left blank unless you are working with animals. If you have questions about the courses to choose, contact the IRB at  irb@semo.edu  for assistance.  
  • After choosing your courses, click "submit," and then choose Southeast Missouri State University Courses. Click on one of the selected courses, and you will see a list of modules to be completed.  
  • Click on a module to begin training. The modules are not timed; each has a set of learning objectives and a quiz at the end. You need to complete all modules with an average score of 80% or better to complete the training successfully. You can return to any module and retake the quiz at any time before completing the course.  

Board Membership

One representative and one alternate from each College, the Kent Library, and the Division of Student Services are nominated by their respective Deans and appointed by the provost for a term of three years. A non-University affiliated community member is also appointed. The Director of Research and Grant Development serves as a non-rotating, non-voting Board Member. Current members and their terms are listed below.

board members
2023-2024  Asa Wilson  Harrison College of Business and Computing 
2023-2026  Linda Garner  College of Education, Health and Human Studies 
2021-2024  Jennifer Bengtson, Chair  College of Humanities and Social Sciences 
2022-2025
Kitt Lavoie
Holland College of Arts and Media 
2023-2025  Dawn Roberts College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 
Kent Library 
2023-2026  Randy Carter  Division of Student Services 
Danna Cotner  Community Representative 
Pamela Vargas  Director, Office of Research and Grant Development (non-voting) 

alternates
2021-2024  Ken Heischmidt Harrison College of Business and Computing 
2023-2026  Eric Billington  College of Education, Health and Human Studies 
2021-2024  Toni Alexander College of Humanities and Social Sciences 
2022-2025
Amber Cook
Holland College of Arts and Media 
2023-2026  Emmanuel Thompson  College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 
Kent Library 
2023-2025  Donna St. Sauver Division of Student Services 
Location
Office
Academic Hall 130
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 3400
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701