Accountability and Compliance

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.

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.

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

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  

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

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