From: Ruotolo, Brenda L. [blr2102@mail.cumc.columbia.edu]

Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 3:46 PM

To: cuhs-irb@CUMC.COLUMBIA.EDU

Subject: IRB Schedule for Consultation Hours July - Sept 2010

Dear Colleagues:

The Columbia University Medical Center IRB Office is pleased to announce continuation of “IRB Consultation Hours”.  This service was implemented in the Fall of 2009, and provides an opportunity for researchers to stop in at the IRB office and meet with an IRB professional to discuss regulatory, policy, and procedural questions. We have always welcomed questions and calls from researchers and this new service provides regularly scheduled hours as a means to increase such interactions.

The sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, weekly for one (1) hour.  No appointment is necessary. The IRB office is located on the 4th floor of the Allan Rosenfield (Mailman School of Public Health) building, 722 W. 168th Street. The consultation service will be held in the 4th floor conference room.

The number of staff members available for consultation will be dictated by the number of individuals who arrive to take advantage of this opportunity to have questions answered face-to-face. Attendees should sign in at the IRB receptionist desk, and will meet with IRB staff in the order of arrival. If situations warrant, individual consultations may be limited to 15 minutes.

Important Note:  If you have questions about a protocol that has already been submitted to the IRB, please contact the staff members who administer the IRB to which the protocol is assigned rather than bringing those questions to a Consultation Hours session.  Staff contact information may be obtained on the IRB website: http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/irb/

Although we have alternated between morning and afternoon hours in the past, whether on a weekly or monthly rotation, at times the variance in timing has caused confusion.  Therefore, for the next three (3) months IRB Consultation will occur each Tuesday from 10 am to 11 am, on the following dates:

July 6

July 13

July 20

July 27

August 3

August 10

August 17

August 24

August 31

September 7

September 14

September 21

September 28

Following this three month interval, the schedule will be considered, and revised if necessary to provide optimal service.

Researchers may also call in during these times, to the IRB main number, for consultation: 212.305.5883.

We remain excited about this initiative as it will allow for efficient, personalized interaction with researchers on a more frequent basis.

We hope to see you soon!

Brenda Ruotolo
Associate Director, Columbia IRB

George Gasparis
Executive Director, Columbia IRB