October 2024 Newsletter
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and resources from the Office of Research Protections (ORP)
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Purchasing Decisions and Conflict of Interest
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University members may want to purchase a product or service from a company in which they or an immediate family member have a financial stake. University policy prohibits faculty and staff from executing transactions that could result in a direct financial benefit to themselves or their immediate family members. However, they may participate in discussions related
to these transactions, provided they have disclosed their potential conflict of interest. In addition, they may not sign agreements between the University and the conflicted entity.
Purchases intended to support University research, where a financial conflict of interest is present, may require prior review by the Conflict of Interest Committee or the Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee.
For questions regarding transactions involving a financial interest, please reach out to ORP's Conflict of Interest division at coi.pitt.edu. For more information about outside activities, visit the COI Division’s Outside Activities – Consulting webpage.
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Pitt faculty members who have relationships with start-up companies may be inclined to ask their Pitt faculty colleagues for an endorsement or other letter of support for their business. Pitt faculty are generally permitted to solicit such endorsements, although discretion is needed in soliciting an endorsement from any personnel who are junior to them, as this can appear coercive.
The endorsement must include a statement that the faculty member is acting in their personal capacity and not on behalf, or as a representative, of Pitt.
If you have questions about faculty endorsements of outside entities, please contact the Conflict of Interest Division at coi@pitt.edu.
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Understanding the University's Visitor Procedures
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Academic Visitors are individuals who do not hold an employment or student status with the University but engage with its academic environment. This group encompasses a diverse range of individuals, including students, faculty members, researchers, and professionals from various sectors such as industry, government, and other educational institutions. Academic Visitors may be either U.S. or international nationals, reflecting the global nature of academic exchange.
There are currently different processes for undergraduate students and others visiting the University. Review a summary of current processes for undergraduate students. Processes for other visitors are summarized on the Pitt Academic Visitor page. Adherence to these procedures is particularly important for visits to laboratory or clinical areas, to ensure adequate protections are in place.
Pitt recently convened a committee to consolidate all visitor-related guidance under a single policy. Learn more about the committee.
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Director of Human Research Protection Wins Chancellor's Award
ORP congratulates Jean Barone, Director of Human Research Protection, who was awarded a 2024 Chancellor's Staff Award in the Research Support category. Jean has made numerous contributions toward advancing our research efforts, including diversifying the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and improving protection for human research subjects.
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As a reminder, except for emergency services, ORP will be closed during upcoming University recesses:
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Thanksgiving Recess | November 28-29, 2024
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Winter Recess | December 23, 2024 — January 1, 2025
During the Winter Recess, protocol submissions and other inquiries will not be addressed until campus reopens on January 2, 2025. If you will require our services over the recess, please contact us as soon as possible.
*Also, please note that the Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee, which usually meets on the fourth Friday of every month, will not meet during the month of December, and will meet on January 3, 2025 instead.
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In our post-pandemic world, we rely on the internet more than ever: to conduct our work, exchange ideas, expand learning and explore personal development. As our reliance on the Web grows, ORP is committed to ensuring that our content is accessible to all disabled Americans, including those with visual, audial and intellectual disabilities.
Currently we are working to review all of our websites, materials, and communications to make sure that they meet accessibility standards. We invite you to join us in this process: If you have any feedback on ORP content that you engage with — and how we can improve accessibility — please contact Lindsey Neyland at lwn5@pitt.edu.
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Upcoming Educational & Training Opportunities
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Consider signing up for these training opportunities offered by the Office of Research Protections:
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