Seattle College District Procedure
NUMBER: 530
TITLE: Use of Human Subjects
530.10 Any demonstration or experiment involving a human subject which puts that subject at risk must receive the prior approval of a three-person committee named by the president/vice chancellor or executive director and including the vice president or director of instruction and at least one person with expertise in the subject area. All activities which use human subjects will be conducted only by instructors who assume responsibility for the conduct of the demonstration or experiment that has been approved.
530.20 “At risk” means exposing the subject to the possibility of physical, psychological, and/or social injury as a consequence of an activity to which he or she would not be exposed in the course of daily life. This would not include activities related solely to the gathering of data, material, or information, unless such activities include the administration of personality tests or questionnaires of a sensitive and/or personal nature.
530.30 Informed Consent. Informed consent means the knowing consent of any individual or of a legally authorized representative. The basic element of information necessary to such consent include:
- A timely notification of the procedures to be followed including a description of the attendant risks and discomforts;
- A description of the benefits to be expected or the knowledge to be gained;
- A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures;
- An offer to answer any inquiries the participant has concerning the activity;
- An instruction that the subject is free to withdraw at any time unless such procedure is required of the student to master a critical competence;
- An assurance that the subject’s identity will remain confidential where legally required.
530.40 Information about the procedures of programs which use human subjects will be given to the students who enroll at the beginning of the program, either as part of the syllabus or in other written form.
530.50 An alternative learning activity may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor unless the required demonstration or experiment is necessary for the student to master a critical competency.
530.60 Students who choose neither to participate as a human subject nor to accept an alternative activity will be informed that they may not be able to complete some courses/programs successfully.
Chancellor’s Cabinet – Revision & Adoption History
Adopted: 9/5/1989
Revised: 6/14/1993
Reviewed: 9/8/2014
Companion Document : Pol
Adoption Date : 1989/09/05
Revision Date : 1993/06/14