Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Ethics & Privacy
In October 2012, UND made a bold and innovative move to form the country's first Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research Compliance Committee in anticipation of federal plans to regulate UAS in terms of privacy concerns and other social issues. In May 2016, the Committee was renamed the Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Ethics & Privacy to better reflect its mission, purpose, and core values.
Background
The Committee on UAS Research Ethics & Privacy is a standing committee of the Division of Research & Economic Development. The committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all research using unmanned aircraft systems conducted by any members of the University including faculty, staff, and students. No research will be undertaken without prior approval of the committee. The committee will consider the ethical consequences of the proposed research and will apply community standards in determining whether a research project may be approved. The committee will determine whether a proposed research project can be approved as described, needs modification to be approved, or will be denied.
About University Committee Charter
I. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Committee Background History
The University of North Dakota has been involved in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
training and research for a number of years, and awards the only fully accredited
degree in this discipline. As a leader in UAS research, the University has been working
with a number of public and private groups to study specific applications for UASs
in the national air space. It is clear that some of these applications may raise ethical
issues particularly with respect to privacy. As a consequence of the proposed uses
at the national level, various groups have issued position statements, and the US
Congress is set to take up the issue of privacy with respect to UAS usage. As a leader
in UAS applications the University has held meetings to develop a plan to address
the ethical issues related to UAS research associated with UND. The Committee outlined
in this Charter is the University's response. It is based upon similar committees
presently functioning under Federal regulations for human subject research, biological
materials research, animal studies, and usage of recombinant DNA and is based to a
large extent on community values.
Classification/Terms of Charter
The Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Ethics & Privacy ("Committee")
will be a standing committee of the Division of Research and Economic Development.
The Charter will be reviewed at least annually by the Committee in cooperation with
the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.
Formal Charges
The Committee will review and approve all research using unmanned aircraft systems:
1) Conducted by any members of the University of North Dakota, including faculty,
staff, and students; and 2) Conducted under the purview of the Northern Plains Unmanned
Systems Authority. Research falls within the scope of the Committee when it involves:
1) flight; or 2) use of existing data collected via UAS. No research may be undertaken
without prior approval of the Committee. The Committee will consider the ethical consequences
of the proposed research and apply community standards in determining whether a research
project may be approved. The Committee will determine whether a proposed research
project can be approved as described, needs modification to be approved, or will be
denied. If the Committee denies a research project, there is no appeal process. Any
research project which the Committee determines needs modification may be approved
following completion of the required modifications. Depending upon the potential risk
of the proposed research, the research may be reviewed by an exempt, expedited, or
full board process. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development may veto
approved research if the research is not in the best interests of the University.
An appropriate official or body (e.g., the Director of Safety) may also suspend approved
research if the research does not meet defined safety standards.
The Committee will consider the review of other applications that do not meet the criteria defined above on a case-by-case basis.
Reporting Channels/Procedures
The Committee will report to the Vice President for Research & Economic Development.
Relationship of the UAS Research Compliance Committee to Other University Committees
Research that has been reviewed and approved by the Committee may be subject to review
and subsequent approval or disapproval by University officials or other committees.
II. UASRCC ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
Membership
The Committee will consist of:
- Six (6) appointees employed by and representing the University.
- Three (3) appointees representing emergency responders.
- Three (3) appointees representing local government.
- Three-to-five (3-5) appointees representing the community at large.
In the event of a vacancy, the Committee will approve the nomination of a new member and forward the name to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development who will cooperate with the Committee Chairperson in the appointment of a replacement as expeditiously as possible. In no event will one or more vacancies prevent the Committee from fulfilling its charge, provided that the University, emergency responders, local government, and the community at large are each represented substantially as provided herein.
In addition, the Committee will have three (3) non-voting members including a representative from the Division of Research & Economic Development, a representative from the University Police, and a University legal advisor.
Appointments
The Committee will approve the nomination of new members and forward names to the
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, who will appoint members in
writing.
Membership Terms
Committee members will be appointed for three (3) year terms with the possibility
of subsequent reappointment.
Officers
Officers of the Committee will include a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson.
A. Chairperson: The Committee Chairperson will be a faculty member at the University
of North Dakota who is capable of managing the Committee and matters brought before
it with fairness and impartiality. The Chairperson must be an experienced member of
the Committee with at least six (6) months of service on the Committee. The Chairperson
is elected annually from the membership of the Committee to serve a one-year term
of office. The number of consecutive terms that a Chairperson may serve is not limited.
B. Vice Chairperson: The Committee Vice Chairperson must be an experienced member
of the Committee with at least six (6) months of service on the Committee. The Vice
Chairperson is elected annually from the membership of the Committee to serve a one-year
term of office. The number of consecutive terms that a Vice Chairperson may serve
is not limited.
Subcommittees
The Committee Chairperson, with the approval of the Committee, may appoint standing
subcommittees or ad hoc subcommittees. Each subcommittee shall be composed of at least
three (3) members. The Chairperson may appoint non-Committee members to a subcommittee.
Each standing or ad hoc subcommittee shall have those powers and that authority stipulated
in the motion authorizing the subcommittee. Each standing or ad hoc subcommittee shall
serve at the pleasure of the Committee.
III. UASRCC FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS
Frequency of Meetings
The Committee will meet as necessary to complete review in a timely manner of all
research projects involving UASs but not less than twice a year.
Research Submission Requirements
Investigators are required to submit a signed paper copy and a signed electronic copy
of the application at least two (2) weeks prior to a scheduled meeting. If the Committee
Chairperson or Vice Chairperson determines that the submitted materials are not adequate,
investigators may be required to submit additional information. No incomplete submissions
will be reviewed by the Committee.
Notice of Meeting/Meeting Agenda and Support Materials
Notice of meetings will occur through announcements in the University Letter and Research
Newsletter, and a meeting calendar will be available on the Committee website. Committee
members will be notified by the Division of Research & Economic Development and will
be sent all necessary supporting information concerning research proposals.
Committee Minutes
Minutes will be of sufficient detail to show attendance at the meeting; actions taken
by the Committee; the vote on actions including the number of members voting for,
against, and abstaining; and the basis for requiring changes in or disapproving research.
Committee Reports
Committee reports and recommendations will be prepared for and submitted to the Vice
President for Research and Economic Development.
Document Management and Retention
The office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development will retain
all records regarding research project applications (regardless of whether it is approved)
for at least three (3) years. For all applications that are approved and the research
initiated, the Vice President for Research and Economic Development must retain all
records regarding that research for at least three (3) years after completion of the
research.
Meeting Quorum
A simple majority of voting members will constitute the necessary quorum for conduct
of official business. Committee members who leave the room due to a conflict of interest
cannot be counted towards quorum. If quorum is lost during the meeting, the Committee
cannot conduct voting until it is restored.
Voting
A majority of members must vote in favor of an action for the action to be accepted
by the Committee. The vote will be recorded in the minutes. Members with a conflict
of interest must recuse themselves from the discussion and voting and such will be
noted in the minutes.
Amendment of Charter
Should any amendments to this Charter be required the Committee Chairperson or Vice
Chairperson will work with the Committee in developing suitable language. Proposed
changes will be submitted to the President for approval in a timely manner.
This University Committee Charter is effective as of April 1, 2019.
Membership
Committee on UAS Research Ethics & Privacy Roster
Form and Instructions
Committee on UAS Research Ethics & Privacy Research Project Application form:
If you have any questions, please contact the Tech Accelerator at 701.777.6882.
Meeting Calendar
Meetings are held only when applications to conduct UAS research are received. Announcements of scheduled meeting dates will be made in the University Letter. Meetings are typically held from 8:15-10:15 a.m.
For proposals being submitted for review by the UASREP, both a signed electronic copy and the signed original paper copy of the UASREP application should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the first planned research flight. Electronic copies may be sent to: julie.solheim@UND.edu and paper copies sent to: UASREP, UND Tech Accelerator, 4201 James Ray Drive Stop 8391, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8391.