1. Purpose

   This policy applies to all research, teaching, training, and biological testing activities that involve live, vertebrate animals and that are conducted by faculty, staff, and students at Ohio University, or at another institution as a consequence of sub-granting activities or the establishment of other cooperative agreements.

   The purposes of this policy are twofold:

   1. To insure that acceptable standards are met for the humane care and use of live, vertebrate animals in research, teaching, training, and biological testing activities; to assure a favorable climate for the conduct of scientific inquiry or training; and to protect the interests of Ohio University.

   2. To ensure that the care and use of animals in research, training, and biological testing activities at Ohio University complies with the requirements of all applicable regulations.

2. Plan

   1. Ohio University acknowledges and accepts responsibility for the care and use of animals involved in research, teaching, training, or biological testing activities. As partial fulfillment of this responsibility, Ohio University will make a reasonable effort to ensure that all individuals involved in the care and use of animals understand their individual and collective responsibilities for compliance with this policy as well as all other applicable laws and regulations pertaining to animal care and use.

   2. Ohio University will maintain a program for activities involving animals in accordance with the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Academy Press, 1996.

   3. Ohio University will comply with all applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to animals.

   4. Ohio University is guided by the U.S. Government Principles for the utilization and care of vertebrate Animals used in Research Testing and Training (NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol.14 No. 8, June 25, 1985).

   5. Ohio University will designate an "Institutional Official," who is the individual at a research facility who is authorized to legally commit on behalf of the research facility that the requirements of regulatory agencies will be met. Contact the Institutional Official through the office of the Vice President for Research.

3. Policies and Procedures

   Implementation procedures shall rest upon the establishment of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ("IACUC"), a recognized function of which shall be to provide advice and guidance to investigators regarding the care and utilization of animals in research, training, and biological testing activities. Ultimate responsibility for such care and use, however, remains with the investigator; review and approval of a project do not relieve the investigator of that responsibility.

   The IACUC shall be constituted in compliance with applicable regulatory statutes. Members will be appointed by the designated Institutional Official with the advice and counsel of the sitting committee and practicing scientists, who will hold a voting majority on the committee. Members will serve three year terms. The IACUC will report to the designated Institutional Official.

   All work with vertebrate animals must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to work commencing.

   Any employee reporting concerns about laboratory animal research to external agencies is encouraged also to report those concerns to a university Institutional Official prior to or at the same time as reporting to an external agency. This will assist the university in taking the appropriate action to correct any concerns, and will assist the university in complying with Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. President

2. Executive Vice President and Provost

3. Executive Staff

4. Vice President for Research

5. Faculty Senate

6. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

7. General Counsel

8. Policy and Procedure Review Committee

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   Forms, References, and History 

   The following forms are specific to this policy:

   1. The IACUC Protocol Form and instructional guidelines are available from the Office of Research Compliance, or online from https://www.ohio.edu/research/compliance/IACUC-Forms.cfm.