Chief Accountability Officer: Susan C. Buskirk, DM, MS, CCEP

Guided by UMB’s core values, the Office of Accountability and Compliance (OAC) is committed to fostering a transparent culture within which community members feel supported in taking responsibility for seeking guidance and assistance in addressing accountability and compliance concerns.
Susan Buskirk, DM, MS

 


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OAC Services

The office serves UMB by providing compliance, education/training, and investigative services on a variety of topics, including: Research Compliance involving human and animal subjects; Financial Conflict of Interest; Research Integrity, responsible conduct and misconduct; all Categories of Discrimination (Title IX, sex, gender, race, etc.); Research Compliance Oversight; suspected Child Abuse and Neglect; and Accountability and Compliance Monitoring.

The team receives complaints and conducts investigations related to these categories to ensure that the University maintains regulatory compliance and a reputation above reproach.

 

 

Discrimination and Bias


Title IX


Research Integrity


Research Compliance (Human and Animal)


Conflict of Interest


Education and Training

 

Analytics

OAC Analytics

 

About Us

Office History ▾

In June 2012, then-UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, created the Office of Accountability and Compliance and charged it with building a Universitywide collaborative accountability framework that promotes and fosters a pervasive culture of accountability and transparency. Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MPA, was appointed as the University’s first Chief Accountability Officer. Susan C. Buskirk, DM, MS, CCEP, was promoted to UMB vice president, chief accountability officer, and institutional official for human subjects research in June 2020, after serving as deputy accountability officer since 2014.

CAO Biography ▾

Susan C. Buskirk, DM, MS, CCEP

Vice President, Chief Accountability Officer, and
Institutional Official for Human Subjects Research

Dr. Buskirk was promoted to University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) vice president, chief accountability officer, and institutional official for human subjects research in June 2020, after serving as deputy accountability officer since 2014. She also is the vice chair of the UMB President’s Council for Women, co-chaired the President’s Task Force on Sexual Harassment, and is a founding member of the UMBrella Group, which works to support the success of women and those who identify as women at the University. 

Dr. Buskirk oversees UMB’s Office of Accountability and Compliance (OAC), which, guided by the University’s core values, seeks to foster a transparent culture that promotes accountability and compliance across the organization. OAC also is the home to programs that range from Title IX to research integrity.

Before transitioning to OAC, Dr. Buskirk developed and coordinated a multidisciplinary, Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)-accredited program for the protection of individuals who participate in research studies, which consists of independent ethical protocol review, education and training of personnel, and oversight of clinical research in the form of monitoring and auditing clinical research studies.

She also is a site visitor for AAHRPP and a former member of the organization’s Council on Accreditation.

Dr. Buskirk has been instrumental in providing international outreach regarding education and training in human research protection. She holds a doctorate in management, a master’s in biotechnology, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and is a certified compliance and ethics professional through the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Information and Additional Responsibilities

Accreditation ▾

Middle States Self-Study

Every 10 years, UMB undergoes a reaffirmation of its accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The process is an opportunity to strengthen the University through a comprehensive evaluation.

View the website for the Middle States Self-Study

Other Professional Accreditations

UMB has a very active cycle and culture of accreditation. Each professional school is accredited by a specialty accrediting body. In some schools, accreditation also happens at the program level.

View the list of professional school accreditations here

Policies and Reports ▾

Our policies and procedures have been developed to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the University community. UMB is committed to transparency and accountability and encourages you to take the time to read the reports. 

Policies and Reports  

Clery Report  

For Faculty  

 

 

Student Information ▾

The AVP of Student Financial Assistance and Education is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with Title IV regulations. This section provides students with information and transparency regarding UMB's efforts in financial aid, Title IX compliance, Higher Education Reauthorization Act compliance, Student Health and Safety, Student Outcomes, and Student Complaints and Grievances.

Student Right to Know

The U.S. Department of Education requires higher education institutions to obtain authorization for distance education instruction or programs provided in states other than their own. The University of Maryland, Baltimore's current authorization status for each state is listed here.

State Authorizations  

Title 34 CFR §600.9 requires states to have a "process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State laws."

Student Complaint Information  

At University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), we understand the unique benefits you bring to the classroom—as well as the unique challenges you can face transitioning to civilian life. We offer award-winning, flexible academic programs and services for active-duty military servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses and families. Together, we can help you secure your future and succeed again.

Military and Veterans

General Data Protection Regulation ▾

The European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new privacy law that went into effect on May 25, 2018.  It governs the use of personally identifiable information obtained in the EEA (European Economic Area - the EU and certain other member countries). The GDPR provides legal rights to people who are in the EEA when their personal data is collected and processed.  GDPR imposes legal obligations on entities that control or process personal data collected in the EEA.

General Data Protection Regulation  

News

(Click to read all Past News)

Title IX Update Related to Pregnant and Parenting Students

July 23rd, 2024 - Effective Aug. 1, 2024, significant update to Title IX related to pregnant and parenting students.

Announcement - Appointing Acting Title IX Coordinator

April 12th, 2022 - University of Maryland, Baltimore is pleased to announced Stephanie Suerth, MPA, BS, CCEP has been appointed Acting Title IX Coordinator.

UMMS Town Hall - Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccine

January 2021, University of Maryland Medical System Holding COVID-19 Webinar on January 18th, 11-12 pm: Finding Hope on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – A Town Hall on Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccine

Updated - Resource Guide for Students on Sexual Misconduct ▾
December 2020 - UMB's Resource Guide for Students on Sexual Misconduct has been updated and posted to the Title IX Resources and References page.

This resource contains information and definitions from UMB’s policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct, as well as information about on-campus and off-campus resources available to UMB students. This brochure also includes risk reduction information, general information and recommendations about what to do in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, and UMB’s procedures for responding to sexual misconduct.

Found here: Resources and References
CAO Letter - Updates to Title IX Regulations

August 14th, 2020 - A letter from Dr. Susan Buskirk, the University's Chief Accountability Officer concerning the updates to Title IX regulations, effective today.