Compliance

Policies and principles that guide the conduct of externally sponsored programs at Savannah State University include the following:

• Awards and contracts are made to SSU, which bears ultimate responsibility for all sponsored programs and is legally responsible for those activities. The principal investigator (PI) is responsible, working on behalf of SSU, for the development, management, and completion of the externally sponsored program. Any agreement between SSU and an external sponsor must have institutional approval in advance (obtained prior to submission). The purpose of this approval is to ensure that the project conforms to administrative and fiscal policies of SSU and does not conflict with other institutional commitments. The authorizing signature(s) on a proposal represents SSU's agreement to proceed with the project, if funded.
• University employees must disclose any significant financial interests that would appear to be affected by the research or other conflicts of interest prior to a proposal submission to an external agency.
• Scientific misconduct in science is defined as fabrication, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. Each institution which receives or applies for a research, research training, or research related grant or cooperative agreement under the PHS Act must submit an annual assurance (42 CFR Parts 50 and 93). Research misconduct Institutional policies and procedures are in place for dealing with allegations of misconduct.  Research training programs funded by NSF, NIH, and other federal agencies are required to integrate Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for student participants in the training program.
• All projects involving living animals and humans, or hazardous or potentially hazardous substances, must follow the guidelines established by SSU, the funding agency, and any applicable laws and regulations.
• All projects are undertaken with the clear understanding that the investigator concerned has a full right to publish any results subject only to established safeguards for the protection of privacy or confidentiality of personal data or contractual agreement.
• All research and other programs funded by federal agencies must conform to the administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements of the various federal agencies, as codified in the US Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). The PI is responsible for compliance with these requirements along with the terms and conditions of the award or contract and all funding agency regulations.
• The PI is responsible for complying with all SSU and University System of Georgia policies.

Allowable and Unallowable Direct Costs on Sponsored Projects

OMB UNIFORM GUIDANCE - CFR 200

Some funding agencies may provide more detailed information on cost guidelines

 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1

SSU Institutional Compliance Committees

Savannah State University committees and officers that govern and oversee compliance in sponsored research include the following. Requests should be coordinated with the appropriate chair or officer.

• SSU maintains a PHS-approved Animal Welfare Assurance.  The SSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews and approves all requests to utilize vertebrate animals in testing, research or education, evaluates research protocols, and inspects animal laboratory and housing facilities. For information on the IACUC guidelines, contact Dr. Elissa Purnell, SSU IACUC Chair, (912) 358-4447.
• The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews and approves all requests to use bio-hazardous chemicals and materials in research, approves handling and waste disposal protocols, and assesses risks to laboratory workers. For more information or to submit a request, please contact the IBC chair, Dr. Takayuki Nitta, (912) 358-4459.
• The Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research (IRB) reviews and approves all requests to use humans in research, including the use of educational tests, survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior, as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations. The Board reviews all research at the University involving human subjects for the protection of the rights, welfare, and well being of the subjects.  For information on the IRB, contact Dr. Lisa Young, SSU IRB Chair, (912) 358-3328.
• SSU is authorized to use radioactive materials under its Georgia Radioactive Materials License issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Regulations (GDNRR), Chapter 391-3-17. SSU maintains a Radiation Safety Manual which outlines the policy, operating procedures, and standards of conduct for SSU research investigators who work with radioactive materials. The responsibility for using radioactive material in a safe and acceptable manner rests with the authorized investigator, and all personnel working with radioactive material are required to be knowledgeable of and comply with radiation safety manual procedures. Dr. Manoj Prasad is the Radiation Safety Officer of SSU. For information, contact him at 912-358-4448.