It is the responsibility of the Researcher or Teacher to carry out their research and handling of animals in compliance with all federal, state, and University requirements with approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Researchers and/or teachers must be trained and knowledgeable in appropriate laboratory techniques, safety procedures, hazards associated with handling animals, and responsible conduct of research. They are also responsible for ensuring that any and all activities they perform that involve animals have been reviewed and approved through a protocol by the IACUC. The Researcher or Teacher is also responsible for ensuring that all laboratory staff and students have completed all required trainings and the Animal Occupational Health Questionnaire Form, as well as following the parameters of the protocol as approved by IACUC, and for ensuring that up-to-date lab manuals, SOPs, licenses, and permits for transport and use of animals are provided and maintained.
The chair of the IACUC presides at all meetings of the IACUC and is responsible for distributing protocol applications to the committee for review and providing the final approval to the investigator for the protocol. The chair of the IACUC reports to the Chief Research Officer. The Chair also is responsible for ensuring that members of the committee are appropriately trained.
Federal regulations from the PHS Policy IV.A. and USDA 9 CFR, 2.31 require the appointment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to serve on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee with the authority and responsibility for activities involving animals at the institution. The term Attending Veterinarian is similarly defined in the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching as a graduate veterinarian who has received training or experience in the care of the species being attended and who has direct or delegated authority for activities involving animals. The facility/institution shall make certain that the Attending Veterinarian has appropriate authority to ensure the provision of adequate veterinary care. The Attending Veterinarian shall be a voting member of the IACUC.
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is responsible for coordinating the protocol application submission process, the IACUC committee meetings, and animal facility inspections and semi-annual program reviews as required by federal regulations. ORSP helps ensure animal welfare and compliance by verifying the completion of required trainings.
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