The investigator has misunderstood the meaning of Exempt status; she cannot determine whether or not her study is Exempt. Such decisions are the responsibility of the UCAIHS and may be made by only by it.

The researcher would have to request Exempt status in her application and provide the appropriate justification. In this case Exempt status would probably be granted since there will be no contact between the students and the researchers, who will only observe in the classroom, an activity which does not pose more than minimal risk to the students, and the interviews will be with adults on non-sensitive issues.