Purpose, Scope, Authority
Boise State University is committed to fulfilling the requirements and guidance set forth by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other applicable agencies regarding the safe handling of biohazardous material. The NIH Guidelines stipulate the University must establish an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The IBC is responsible for the review and approval of funded and unfunded activities involving biohazardous material to assist the University and Principal Investigators in adhering to with these regulatory requirements and guidelines and protecting the University, its community, and the environment. These processes are guided by regulatory obligations and University policies and written programs, such as:
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines)
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)
- Select agent regulations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Bloodborne Pathogens – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS)
- University Biosafety Manual
The IBC is charged with reviewing research and academic activities, regardless of funding, involving biohazardous material to protect the University, employees, students, visitors, surrounding community and the environment as well as assist the University and Principal Investigators (PIs) in adhering to regulatory requirements and guidelines.
The Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED) has delegated certain responsibilities to the IBC to ensure compliance with the University’s regulatory obligations in regard to biohazardous materials. IBC authority and scope is outlined in University Policy 5080.
The IBC has the authority to:
- Approve, not approve, or require modification of activities involving biohazardous material to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations and University policies and programs;
- Suspend or terminate activity approval based upon non-compliance with regulatory obligations or University policies and programs;
- Report approval status in accordance with agency requirements; and
- Report non-compliance to the Vice President for Research (through the Office of Research Compliance) and appropriate agencies as required.