Purpose: To give a brief overview of the functions and responsibilities of the IACUC.

Scope: All University faculty, staff, researchers, and students who use or care for laboratory animals.

Policy: 

Both the Animal Welfare Act (as amended in 1985) and the NIH Policy require an institutional committee to oversee the animal care and use program.

This committee must be composed of:

• at least five members
• include an individual unaffiliated with the institution
• a veterinarian with program responsibilities
• a practic­ing scientist experienced in research involving animals
• a member whose concerns are in a non‑scientific area

The IACUC's functions are clearly defined by NIH and University policy, and by the 1985 amendments to the Animal Welfare Act. They include:

• Semiannual review of the institution's program for the humane care and use of animals.
• Semiannual inspection of all institutional animal facilities.
• Review of all proposed uses of live vertebrates for research and teaching.
• Review and development of institutional policy on care and use of laboratory animals.
•  Review of specific concerns or complaints about animal care or use.
• Recommend to the responsible administrator regarding any aspect of the campus animal care and use program.
• Authority to suspend any activity involving the use of animals which is not being conducted in accordance with NIH Guide standards, or with applicable laws, regulations and institutional policies.

In all of these functions the NIH Guide and USDA regulations provide the primary standard for evaluating the campus animal care and use program.

Approvals: