4.75 ANIMAL USE IN RESEARCH
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To outline the requirements for use of animals in research activities and establish the Animal Care and Use Committee.
Scope: This policy applies to University research activities campus wide.
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs
Policy Statement: The use of cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, nonhuman primates, and certain other warm-blooded animals other than humans in all activities under the purview of University faculty, staff members, and students is to be carried out in compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act, as amended and related administrative regulations.
Guidelines For Forming and Operating the University-Wide Animal Care and Use Committee
To comply with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 and its subsequent amendments to review and approve research proposals involving the use of animals that are submitted for federal funding, as well as to promote the best practices in safe and ethical handling and use of animals, the University shall establish an Animal Care and Use Committee. Such committee shall be selected by and report to the University’s President and shall consist of designated representatives from the academic unit containing Biological Sciences, the academic unit containing Psychology, an additional faculty member from another University discipline, a veterinarian chosen from the community, a community representative from outside the University, and a designated representative from the University physical plant. The chair of the Committee will be the designated representative from either Biological Sciences or Psychology and will rotate annually to the other academic unit's representative.
All members of the Committee will be voting members except in situations where research or a project of one (1) of the members of the Committee is being reviewed. In such a case, the person whose research or project is being considered will not have the right to vote for or against approval of the item being reviewed but may give input to the Committee.
The Animal Care and Use Committee will also review and approve all other University projects that require the use of animals.
Copies of the Committee’s minutes and annual report shall be sent to:
- President's Office
- Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Vice President for Finance
- Faculty Senate Office for maintaining records
- Chair of the Committee on Campus Governance
- Graduate School
Members of the Animal Care and Use Committee shall serve annual appointments which may be renewable without restriction of a number of terms.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.
[Academic Affair procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: 7.01 – Animals and Pets; [Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.]