The Austin College Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (known as the IACUC) is responsible for overseeing all use of animals for teaching and research at Austin College as well as their general care and husbandry. The IACUC’s responsibilities include:
- Reviewing the program for humane care and animal use at Austin College
- Inspecting animal care and research facilities
- Reporting semiannual activities to the Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Review concerns over animal care and use policies
- Review and approve ALL animal care and use on campus by faculty or students
Committee Description
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that every institution involved in activities using vertebrates whether for sale, distribution, breeding, public viewing, research or education convene an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the humane treatment of all animals. Although the AWA does not extend to ectotherms (reptiles and amphibians), mice, rats, or birds, amendments to these policies have already been proposed in the House of Representatives. Furthermore, use of any vertebrates in research and education without an overseeing IACUC to verify humane treatment and proper care is both socially and legally unsound.
In addition to the USDA and AWA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Public Health Service Grants Program (PHS) require that all institutions seeking federal grant funding to work with vertebrate animals acquire an Animal Welfare Assurance number from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). OLAW guidelines state “no activity involving animals may be conducted or supported by the PHS until the institution conducting the activity has provided a written Assurance acceptable to the PHS, setting forth compliance with this policy.”
Membership
- Chair: David Aiello, Associate Professor of Biology, Austin College
- Scientist member: Renee A. Countryman, Associate Professor of Psychology, Austin College
- Non-scientist member: Wayne Crannell, Associate Professor of Music, Austin College
- Unaffiliated member: Patrice Parsons, Biotechnology/Biology Professor, Grayson College
- Attending Veterinarian: Egeenee Daniels, DVM, Director of Laboratory Animal Medicine, UNT Health Science Center
Forms
Protocols must be approved before research/animal use can begin. If you’re using animals for teaching purposes, the completed protocol form is due two weeks prior to the start of the respective fall/spring semester or JanTerm. Faculty and student caretakers must have completed pre-exposure health survey addendums with the Austin College Nurse before beginning work in the animal room.
- Study Proposal Form (fillable word document)
- Live Animal Classroom Use/Caretaker Form
- Dead Animal Use Form
- Performing Alternative Searches
Return all completed forms to:
- David Aiello @ Box 61550
- Concerns and Suggestions
Education
- Student Caretaker Training Presentation
- Classroom Training Presentation
- Faculty Training PowerPoint Presentation
- IACUC Guidebook
- Human Emotions in the Care of Laboratory Animals
Custom classroom presentations can be made by IACUC members if requested in advance. IACUC semi-annual training sessions will be held during the first week of classes during the fall and spring semesters. The specific dates will be announced. Training must be completed/repeated annually.
Guidelines
- The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- AMVA Euthanasia Report
- USDA/APHIS Handbook for Animal Use
- Office of Animal Care and Welfare’s Institutional Care and Use Committee’s Guidebook
Process for Teaching with Animals
- Apply for Use of Animals with Protocol Form
- Train Yourself
- Train Your Students
- Have Students Complete Occupational Care Sheet
- Verify Maintenance of Animals in the IDEA Center
Starting an Animal Use Program at Austin College
What do you need to start an animal use program at Austin College for teaching or research?
- Review the faculty training PowerPoint
- Complete Animal User Certification Training for IACUC
- Access to training Courses
- Training must be completed annually to remain an animal user
- Train all student employees
- Direct any questions or concerns to David Aiello, IACUC Chair
Links
- American Association of Lab Animal Science (AALAS)
- Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- USDA/APHIS Animal Welfare Act
- Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW)
- Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals