Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• Review at least once every six months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals using THE GUIDE and AWA 9 CFR, Chapter I, Subchapter A as a basis for evaluation.
• Inspect at least once every six months all of the institution's animal facilities (including satellite facilities) using THE GUIDE and AWA 9 CFR, Chapter I, Subchapter A as a basis for evaluation.
• Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations as required by the Animal Welfare Act and PHS Policy and submit these reports to the Institutional Official. The reports must contain a description of the nature and extent of the Institution's adherence to THE GUIDE, AWA 9 CFR Subchapter A, and PHS Policy and identify specifically any departures and the reasons for such departures, the reports must distinguish significant deficiencies from minor deficiencies and contain a reasonable and specific plan for correcting each deficiency.
• Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution.
• Make recommendations to the Institutional Official.
• Review and approve, require modification in or withhold approval of the use of animals.
• Be authorized to suspend an activity involving animals in accordance with specifications in PHS Policy or USDA regulations.

The IACUC must review and approve all animal research in order to maintain the university's high research standards. It does so by following federal and state regulations, which reflect the general concerns of society, along with professional standards of ethical conduct that govern the use of animal subjects in scientific and educational activities. 

• Governmental statutes, including the Public Health Service Animal Welfare Policy, require that all research institutions establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the proper care and use of laboratory animals.
• The IACUC relies on Animal Welfare Regulations (CFR, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2 and 3) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to ensure the university is in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.
• University policy and the Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) also guide the IACUC.
• The university's animal care program and laboratory animal facilities are fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International, a voluntary peer review process.
  • AAALAC accreditation is the gold standard in animal care and indicates to external organizations, including funding bodies and governmental authorities, that the university's animal care program conforms to internationally accepted standards.