MINNEAPOLIS — There are changes in leadership at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychiatry following a legislative audit critical of how it recruited a man who committed suicide while enrolled in a schizophrenia drug trial.

Dr. Charles Schulz has been chairman of the department since 1999. The department has for years defended itself against claims of coercive recruiting of vulnerable patients into research.

Auditor James Noble’s recent report was critical of how Dan Markingson was enrolled in the drug trial, even after his mother expressed concern about his deteriorating psychiatric condition. University President Eric Kaler apologized to Markingson’s family and suspended recruitment to psychiatric studies until a review of patient protections is completed.

Medical school dean, Dr. Brooks Jackson, commended Schulz and said Schulz alone made the decision to leave the position.