The Office of Research Assurances (ORA) was formed in November 2008, with a mission to support research by facilitating and assisting researchers in identifying and maintaining research assurances.

ORA works in conjunction with faculty run compliance committees to review and approve research projects that involve animals, humans, potentially infectious materials, Select Agents and Toxins and recombinant DNA activities.

New Information:

Ethical Companies Spread Open Approach: Survey

On March 16, 2011, Reuters reported, “Companies that embraced the spirit of full disclosure -- breaking bad news to their stakeholders promptly -- stood out on a 2011 ranking of the world's most ethical companies. That type of candor is important in a world that has been rocked by financial crisis and where investors are now watching the biggest U.S. insider-trading trial in years.

“The Ethisphere Institute, a New York-based think tank, on Tuesday released its fifth annual ranking of the world's most ethical large companies, which it expanded this year to 110 entries, which stand out for having strong policies on ethics and enforcing them. The list includes some of the world's largest companies, including General Electric Co, Statoil of Norway and Swiss Reinsurance Co Ltd.” MORE