HRPP and IRB Operational Procedures for Thanksgiving and Winter Closing Holidays
HRPP and IRB Operational Procedures
*Thanksgiving and Winter Closing Holidays*
VCU HRPP closes at noon on Wednesday, 11/26, and reopens on Monday, 12/1.
HRPP office hours have been cancelled for Monday, 11/24, Tuesday, 11/25 and Thursday, 11/27.
The next office hours session will be held virtually on Monday, 12/1.
| Thanksgiving holiday |
| The VCU Human Research Protection Program (HRPP/IRB) office will be closed for Thanksgiving beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 and will resume operations on Monday, December 1, 2025. There will be no IRB meeting on Wednesday November 26, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: Investigators remain responsible for reporting to the IRB any unanticipated problems involving risk to subjects or others that occur during this time. For guidance on what constitutes an unanticipated problem, refer to HRP-001 in the General Documents section of the VCU HRPP Toolkit, available on our website at https://research.vcu.edu/human-research/hrppirb/hrpp-policies-and-guidance/. In addition, as always, investigators are responsible for taking any actions necessary to ensure the ongoing safety of research participants. To report an unanticipated problem involving risk to subjects or others: —> Follow the normal procedure for submitting the Report within VIRBs. To seek guidance regarding an unanticipated problem or any emergency situation during the holiday closure: —> Alert our on-call staff via email to [email protected] and/or via voicemail to 804-828-0868. Please be sure to monitor your email or phone after your submission – a response may take up to 24 hours. |
| HRPP Office Hours – Canceled the week of Thanksgiving |
| The VCU HRPP Office hours are canceled for the week of Thanksgiving. HRPP office hours will continue on December 1, 2025. Reminder: Drop In Office hours are usually conducted three times a week. See HRPP blog postings for details. Mondays – Virtual office hours (3pm – 5 pm) Tuesday – VCU Medical Center Wright Center (11 am – 1pm) Thursday – Monroe Park Campus (11am – 1 pm) |
| Upcoming VCU Winter Closing holiday |
| The VCU HRPP/IRB will also be closed for the VCU Winter Closing holiday, December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: With the exception of urgent reports for unanticipated problems or other emergencies, the office will not be processing or reviewing submissions during the closing, and the full board of the IRB will not convene between December 18, 2025 and January 6, 2026. Investigators may therefore experience a delay in the review turnaround time for submissions received around the holidays. Studies that require continuing review and are due to expire during or immediately following the Winter Closing should be submitted for continuing review as soon as possible to allow for IRB review prior to the Winter Closing holiday. We appreciate your patience and understanding. |