The IRB shall have direct jurisdiction over research with human subjects proposed for, or sponsored by the IUP campus, faculty, administrators, and students. The board is composed of at least five members. The members may not consist entirely of women or men or entirely of members of one profession. The board shall include persons sensitive to the concerns of racial and cultural minority groups, one person representing the legal, moral, or ethical disciplines, and one person having no direct (or indirect via a family member) affiliation with IUP. A faculty member will serve as chair of the board. Basic Federal Policy on IRB composition is discussed in Title 45CFR Part 46, Section 46.107.

Appointments to the IRB shall be made by the president on recommendation from the IRB chair. Board members will be selected according to the university's research needs and individual expertise. All representatives shall serve for three-year terms, with one-third rotation each year. Representatives may serve for additional terms. The vice chair shall be appointed annually by the dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research.

The board may, at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of complex issues which require expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the board. These individuals shall have no voting rights. University legal counsel will serve as a consultant to the board.