The IACUC meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

The IACUC makes every effort to maintain scheduled meeting dates. However, due to member availability or other unusual circumstances, meeting dates are subject to change. Meetings are rescheduled as close to the original date as possible.

You must submit a completed, original protocol submission form and 16 copies to the IACUC Administrator, 307 Samford Hall. Protocols submitted after the deadline will ordinarily be held until the next regularly scheduled IACUC meeting. Under unusual circumstances, the PD/PI may request a designated-member review. Call OAR for guidance and assistance with requests for designated-member review.

Your protocol submission form, and the requisite copies (above), must be delivered to the IACUC Administrator by 11:30 a.m. on Thursday of the week prior to the scheduled meeting, i.e., if you wish to have your protocol reviewed on the third Thursday of the month, you must deliver it to the IACUC office no later than the second Thursday of the month. Forms received after the Thursday deadline will not be reviewed until the next scheduled meeting. See Submission Deadlines and the Protocol Approval Process flowchart.

NEW PROTOCOL SUBMISSION FORMS

Two protocol submission forms are available. The choice of which form to use is determined as follows:

• To submit a protocol describing research, teaching, or demonstration activities one should submit the "Animal Subjects Review Form." There is a place on this form to indicate which type of activity is being described (e.g. research, teaching).
• To submit a protocol describing only the production and/or maintenance of animals (e.g. those animals being produced and/or maintained for research or teaching activities), one should submit the form entitled "Animal Production/Maintenance Facility Standard Operating Procedures."

Forms may be downloaded and must be printed and completed using a typewriter or prepared on your personal computer.

It is understood that some protocols may involve more that one category of activity. For example, a protocol may involve birds being captured and released in the field for the purpose of data collection for a research project. However, this protocol may involve the simultaneous activity of teaching a class of students the techniques of field capture and handling of birds. On such protocols it is necessary and permissible to indicate the activity as both research and teaching. Furthermore, if animals are being produced and/or maintained solely for a particular research or teaching project then one may choose to submit the Animal Subjects Review Form and check the activity as both production/maintenance and research or production/maintenance and teaching, whichever is applicable.

While protocols can be approved for up to three years, federal regulations require that all approved protocols be reviewed at least annually. The modified form encompasses all information required for the annual USDA report and fulfills the guidelines for annual review of active protocols. The OAR will send an annual review form to the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) approximately October 1^st of each year.  It is the responsibility of the PD/PI to complete and submit the form to the OAR.

All changes to an approved protocol require IACUC approval prior to implementation by the PD/PI. The PD/PI should submit a request for changes using the Protocol Revision Request Form (original and 16 copies) at least one month prior to the anticipated implementation date. Under unusual circumstances, the PD/PI may request a designated-member review. Call OAR for guidance and assistance with requests for designated-member review. Minor changes can be approved by the IACUC Chair or the Director of OAR. Significant changes will require review and approval by IACUC.

Membership of Auburn University's IACUC meets the compositional requirements set forth in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy and the Animal Welfare Act, namely at least one:

• DVM, with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, and who has direct or delegated program responsibility for activities involving animals,
• practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals,
• one individual whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area,
• an individual not affiliated with the institution and not a laboratory animal user, who represents general community interests in the proper care and treatment of animals.

The OAR and/or the IACUC will review and/or investigate any concern relating to animal care and use brought to the attention of the Committee. This includes claims by the public concerning any aspect of the animal care and use program or by employees or students who report alleged instances of animal abuse, violation of approved protocols, use of animals not covered by approved protocols, violation of any animal related regulation or standard (such as the AWA, PHS Policy or AU Policy), or complaints regarding the care received by animals housed in University laboratory animal, wild animal or agricultural facilities.

A formal complaint is initiated by contacting one of the following individuals:

• Director, OAR (334) 844-5978
• The Chair of the IACUC (Name and phone number may be obtained by calling OAR (334) 844-5978.)
• Associate Director, OAR and Director of Division for LAH, College of Veterinary Medicine (334) 844-5667

New Member Training

• Orientation "breakfast" meeting with continuing members
• Provide written IACUC manuals. Materials include relevant rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Attend one or two IACUC meetings before they start reviewing protocols for the committee.
• Serve as secondary reviewers at one or two meetings before they serve as primary reviewers.
• Pair first-year member with an experienced second- or third-year member for carrying out assignments pertaining to semiannual inspections of facilities.

Ongoing Training

• Written new or refresher material provided to members at regularly scheduled IACUC meetings.
• Provide opportunity for members to attend local, regional or national meetings dealing with topics pertinent to IACUC activities.

Additional Training Resources via the Internet

IACUC Training and Learning Consortium (IACUC TLC)
The IACUC Training and Learning Consortium Task Force is an ad hoc committee established by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) with the charges:

• To produce a comprehensive core course to train IACUC members.
• To develop, design and provide oversight for this IACUC training course.
• To develop, design and provide oversight for a Web site (www.iacuc.org) for comprehensive information and resources on all matters pertaining to IACUCs.
• To establish a listerv (IACUC-FORUM) for IACUC members and staff to encourage dynamic information exchange on the IACUC process.
• To establish an advisory group representing a national consortium of organizations with shared interest in the education and training of IACUC members to jointly sponsor the IACUC training initiative, with AALAS coordinating the effort.

This site provides access to:

• General Information - Listserv - Partners
• Alternatives
• Bibliography of IACUC Topics, Databases, Example Forms and Documents
• Laws, Policies, Guidelines and Other Documents
• Institutional Research Policies and Procedure Guidelines
• Journals and Publications, Meetings, and Organizations
• Training - IACUC members
• Training - Laboratory Animal Care and Use

Lab Animal IACUC Resource Page

This site is provided by Lab Animal magazine and contains the following:

• IACUC Reading Room-Recent Lab Animal articles for the IACUC member
• Protocol Review-Jerry Silverman's popular "Protocol Review" column
• Regulatory Updates
• IACUC-Related Links
• IACUC Resources on the Web
  • Alternatives
  • Databases & Search Functions
  • Endpoints & Pain Managements
  • Literature Search for Alternatives (USDA Policy 12)
  • Pain & Distress
  • Regulations and Policies
  • Training