Institutional Review Board

• Responsibilities of Faculty Supervising Student Research with Human Subjects
• Responsibilities of Principal Investigator Conducting Human Subjects Research 

There are three levels of IRB review: exempt, expedited, and full board.  

• Exempt reviews are those with minimal or no risk to subjects. Applications submitted for a certification of exemption are reviewed by an IRB Analyst or one IRB member. The turnaround time for exempt reviews are 1-2 weeks.   

• If there is minimal risk, an expedited review is required.  The review process includes the IRB chair and one additional IRB member. The turnaround time for expedited reviews are 2-4 weeks.   

A study requires IRB oversight if it fits the federal definition of research with human subjects. In some cases, when it is not clear whether the project requires IRB review, the researcher should complete a short questionnaire in Cayuse. 

If it is determined the activity does not fall within the federal definition of research with human subjects, applicants will  receive a determination letter stating the study does not require IRB oversight. Researchers whose studies do require IRB oversight will be provided instructions on how to submit an application for review. The turnaround time for such determinations is 2-4 days.  

GSU IRB requires that all prospective researchers complete training in human subjects protection. Completion of training will certify a researcher for three years and enable the researcher to apply to the IRB for approval of research protocols.

To fulfill the IRB requirement for training in human subjects protection, researchers must complete training through the CITI Program. GSU faculty, staff and students must register with CITI using their GSU email address and affiliate with Governors State University during registration.  

• CITI Instructions for Researchers 
• CITI Instructions for Undergraduate Students 

All new protocols must be submitted through Cayuse. 

Instructions for Submitting a Protocol for Initial Review 

All new protocols with consent documents must use this consent template:

Consent Template March 2019  

Please note, this template has been created to provide structure and guidance for research studies of various types and levels of complexity. When using this template to create a consent form for your study, make sure to: 

•  Delete instructional text in red and insert the information specific to your study. 
• Delete elements of the template that are not applicable to your study, e.g., certificate of confidentiality or data sharing.  

• GSU IRB Frequently Asked Questions  
• Researcher's Guide to IRB
• Policy 53: Protection of Human Research Subjects 

IRB Chair

• Giesela Grumbach, College of Health and Human Services

Provost Appointments

• Giesela Grumbach, College of Health and Human Services 
• Caron Jacobson, College of Arts and Sciences  
• Gerald Pauling, Community Member
• Danielle Osmelak, College of Health and Human Services   
• Lamise Shawahin, College of Health and Human Services 
• Chelsea Vanderpool, College of Business 
• David Rhea, Academic Affairs

 Faculty Senate Appointments   

• Pam Guimond, College of Arts and Sciences
• Xiaobo She, College of Education
• Elizabeth Sterner, University Library
• Renee Theiss, College of Health and Human Services
• Ting Wang, College of Business

Email your questions to irb@govst.edu or call 708.534.4987