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8.2.1 All research sponsored by or conducted at the University involving vertebrate animals, whether funded or un-funded, conducted by faculty, staff, or students using any property or facility owned or controlled by the University, will be conducted in compliance with the PHS Policy  and all other applicable federal statutes, regulations, and policies. Research involving vertebrate animals will not be conducted unless federal and policy requirements have been satisfied, and written certification by the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (hereafter “IACUC”) is obtained following the IACUC’s review and approval of the research.

8.2.2 All requests for vertebrate animal use will be submitted as a proposal and reviewed by the IACUC. Research involving animals is not permitted to begin until the IACUC has approved the research proposal.

8.2.3 This policy applies to all research involving vertebrate animals, regardless of sponsorship, if:

1. The research is approved by the University’s IACUC;
2. The research is conducted by, or under the direction of, any employee, student, or agent of the University in connection with his or her institutional responsibilities; or
3. The research is conducted using any property or facility owned or controlled by the University.

8.2.4 The Institutional Official (IO), who may be the Vice President for Research (VPR), is authorized to review all research. As per the federally approved IACUC Assurance, the IO may halt, terminate, or impose sanctions on any animal activity. However, the VPR and/or IO may not approve or reinstate any animal activity without IACUC approval.

8.2.5 If allegations of animal mistreatment or protocol noncompliance are reported, the IACUC will conduct an investigation in accordance with procedures outlined in the University’s Assurance of Compliance with PHS Policy.  Circumstances that will be reported in writing to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) by the IO, without delay, are:  serious or continuing noncompliance with the PHS Policy; serious deviations from The Guide; and/or IACUC protocol suspensions.

8.2.6 Any person responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of animal subject research that has an economic interest in, or acts as an officer or director of any outside entity whose financial interests would reasonably appear to be affected by the research, should be removed from the project due to conflict of interest as provided in Section IV, Chapter 2, of this Handbook.

8.3.1 The University IACUC aligns with all PHS requirements, and all appointed members are University faculty experienced with animal research and regulations. The IO appoints members for a minimum of one-year terms. The IACUC reviews all proposals involving the use of vertebrate animals. The IACUC meets as needed, generally monthly, for proposal review, policy development, and noncompliance investigations.

8.3.2 The Attending Veterinarian is available to Principal Investigators (PI) for consultation during protocol development. For protocols involving USDA pain category D or E, the PI must consult with the Attending Veterinarian during protocol development.

8.3.3 Proposals are made available for review by all members of the IACUC.  Most proposals will initially undergo full-committee review at a convened meeting of a quorum of the IACUC.  Proposals that are classified in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Pain/Distress Categories A-C can be sent to designated review after the proposal has been made available to all members for a minimum of 3 days. Proposals that are classified as Category D and E procedures are automatically slated for full-committee review, but can be referred to designated review after full-committee review if the proposal requires either modifications to secure approval, or has been tabled for clarification.  Any changes to approved protocols (amendments), including USDA annual progress reports, must be submitted by the PI(s) to the IACUC and are processed in the same manner as described above.

8.3.4 In addition to determining whether the proposal conforms to the University’s Assurance of Compliance with PHS Policy, the IACUC will consider each of the following criteria for review prior to approving the use of vertebrate animals in research:

1. The design and performance of procedures are based on relevance to human or animal health, advancement of knowledge, or the good of society;
2. The appropriate species and number of animals are to be used;
3. The living conditions of the animals are appropriate for the species and the appropriate husbandry will be directed and performed by qualified personnel;
4. Procedures are in place to avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals;
5. Appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia are provided as needed unless justification for non-use is described in writing by the PI;
6. Medical care is provided by a qualified veterinarian;
7. Research personnel are appropriately qualified and trained to perform procedures relating to animals;
8. Humane endpoints have been established; and
9. Methods of euthanasia are consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.

8.3.5 Notification of IACUC action regarding a proposal will be made in writing to the PI(s). These actions include approval, modifications required to secure approval, withhold approval, or defer or table review.  Proposals are approved for a three-year period and are appropriately monitored.