Terms of Reference for AUTEC (3)

3. TERMS OF REFERENCE - AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ETHICS COMMITTEE (AUTEC)

AUTEC is an institutional ethics committee which is approved by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. AUTEC reports annually to Council and to the Health Research Council Ethics Committee. A copy of the annual report is forwarded to Academic Board for information. The following are the objectives and membership of AUTEC:

3.1    Purpose/Objectives
3.1.1    To review or provide for the review of all proposed research and teaching projects being undertaken by staff or students at the University and involving human participants.
3.1.2    To provide advice and assistance with regard to ethical principles to anyone undertaking such research or teaching projects.
3.1.3    To provide an avenue for handling complaints or queries regarding ethical standards of research and teaching.
3.1.4    To provide comment and guidance on all aspects of institutional ethics, including the public image of the University, the use of assets of the University, ethical aspects of institutional research and other matters referred to AUTEC from time to time.
Note: Any research or teaching at the University that involves the use of animals is to be referred for ethical review to The University of Auckland Animal Ethics Committee via the Research Ethics Advisor.
3.2    Membership
AUTEC shall be comprised of not more than seventeen members including:
3.2.1    A chairperson appointed by Council on the recommendation of the Academic Board.
3.2.2    An appointee of each faculty.
3.2.3    An appointee of Council.
3.2.4    An appointee of the AUT Student Association at Auckland University of Technology (AUTSA).
3.2.5    An appointee of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Maori Advancement.
3.2.6    An appointee of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Pacific.
3.2.7    An appointee of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research
3.2.8    Four to six other members appointed by the Chair, the Executive Secretary and the Council’s representative,  the majority of whom shall be from outside the University to provide expertise and balance as required by the Health Research Council’s Guidelines for the Approval of Ethics Committees and as AUTEC considers necessary.
The Executive Secretary is an ex officio member of AUTEC.
Membership shall be for a term of three years with the right of
re-appointment with the exception of the Executive Secretary whose membership is ex officio.
3.3    Function
AUTEC shall function in accordance with the Health Research Council’s Guidelines for the Approval of Ethics Committees and the procedures given in AUTEC guidelines and procedures.