As per federal policy, Marian University must maintain an Assurance and Compliance Program to promote research integrity and discourage misconduct. MU (like many institutions) carries out this program through two positions: a Research Integrity Officer (RIO) and a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Coordinator. Both positions are part-time administrative assignments that report to the Asst. Provost for Research & Scholarship and, along with the broader Research & Scholarship Administration, coordinate the comprehensive university-wide program. These are important roles and, due to the highly sensitive and potentially charged nature of their duties, must be filled be persons who have the trust of the university community.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, Dr. Joyce Horton and Dr. Patrick McVey serve as the RIO and RCR Coordinator, respectively.

The RIO's primary responsibilities include 1) maintaining an up-to-date, written, enforced policy on financial conflicts of interest (FCOI) or conflicts of commitment (COM) that complies with 42 C.F.R 50; 2) maintaining written policies and procedures about responding to allegations of research misconduct according to the requirements of 42 CFR 93 and leading the Research Misconduct Inquiry Committee (link to RMIC charter); 3) participating in orientation activities for new faculty members related to conflicts of interest/commitment disclosures and research misconduct training; 4) compiling and submitting all required FCOI, COM, research misconduct reports to the appropriate federal agencies; and 5) providing expert counsel on best practices to promote research integrity and discourage misconduct.

The RCR Coordinator's primary responsibilities include 1) developing and directing a university-wide Responsible Conduct of Research Course for faculty, staff, and students; 2) participating in orientation activities for new faculty members related to the ethical and responsible conduct of research; and 3) providing expert counsel on best practices to promote the ethical and responsible conduct of research and discourage misconduct.