Dr. Charles Schulz has stepped down as head of the University of MinnesotaâÄôs Department of Psychiatry. Schulz steps down amid scrutiny of the UniversityâÄôs human research programs, housed within the Psychiatry Department. Two recently released reports found flaws and ethical concerns in the schoolâÄôs human research programs. One of the external reports released earlier this year, managed by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, noted a culture of fear and retaliation within the psychiatry department. The decision was announced to faculty within the department Thursday morning, said Academic Health Center media relations coordinator Caroline Marin. Brooks Jackson, dean of the Medical School said SchulzâÄôs decision to step down was his own. âÄúHe requested this move to clear the way for new leadership, and to allow him to focus more on clinical care,âÄù he said in the release. Schulz was head of the department for more than 16 years. He will continue to work within the department as a faculty member, Jackson said in the release. The Medical SchoolâÄôs Senior Associate Dean Dr. Mark Paller will lead department until a new department head is selected. President Eric Kaler announced last month that a group of administrators, faculty members and outside experts will also make recommendations by May 15 on how the UniversityâÄôs human subjects protection program should change.