UND Forms Committee Focused on Privacy



By Danielle Lucey



The University of North Dakota has launched a UAS Research Compliance Committee, which will meet monthly to address anticipated federal privacy regulations related to unmanned technology. 



The committee will establish and enforce a university-wide review of its UAS research protocols, consider the consequences of its research and leverage the university’s position to assist regulatory agencies in forming publicly acceptable UAS solutions. The University of North Dakota is the only accredited university with an undergraduate degree in unmanned aircraft operations. 



“Currently, at least three related bills have been introduced in Congress and at least one other is in draft form,” says UND Vice President of Research and Economic Development Phyllis Johnson. “They could not only pose serious restrictions on UAS operations, but also impede research and development on new applications.”



The 15-member group consists of first responders, government officials, local community and business representatives, and university faculty with backgrounds ranging from ethics and philosophy to aerospace.