RCRS

St. Catherine University has adopted a policy regarding Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) that applies to all faculty, staff and students engaged in research and scholarship. The overriding goal of St. Catherine University’s RCRS program is to ensure that all those engaged in research and scholarship at St. Kate’s are part of a scholarly community committed, not only to the quest for knowledge, but also to open communication and dialogue concerning ethical and responsible research and scholarship. St. Kate’s RCRS program focuses on three interrelated areas:

Compliance: We have a policy and program in place to comply with federal regulations as specified in the America COMPETES Act and with guidelines and regulations established by individual federal, state, and local agencies. Formal certification of education in Responsible Conduct of Research & Scholarship is required for all students engaged in research and scholarship funded by grants awarded on or after January 4, 2010.

Community: The program we are developing aligns with our mission to educate ethical, socially responsible students. We strive to be a community of scholars that upholds ethical scholarly inquiry as a central tenet of a liberal arts education. We envision St. Kate’s as a model community where responsible conduct of research/scholarship is an inherent, as well as an explicit part of our culture.

Context: We must meet the specific needs of the St. Catherine community, of individual Schools and departments, and of each College, and we are drawing on existing strengths and practices. Our goal is to graduate students with knowledge of RCRS within their own fields and professions, and we recognize that those needs are unlikely to be met by a "one-size-fits-all" program.

The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is working with its Advisory Committee, with the Director of the Collaborative Research Program, and with faculty volunteers to assess ongoing efforts to educate students regarding RCRS and to develop and implement this RCRS program. ORSP will conduct annual reviews of the RCRS program in order to ensure the program meets the diverse needs of the St. Catherine University community.