Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has provided a formal assurance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating that UNC will comply with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Additionally, UNC is registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Class R Research Facility, and as such, complies with the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Act Regulations. These principles apply to all research, research training, teaching and testing involving live vertebrate animals conducted by anyone on the premises of UNC or conducted by UNC personnel at other locations.
In compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and institutional policies, UNC has established an Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the University's animal program, facilities, and projects involving the use of animals. The IACUC is devoted to the principle of carrying out meaningful scientific research through the use of laboratory animals in accordance with humane standards.
The Institutional Official (IO) for Animal Care and Use is the individual who, as a representative of senior administration, bears ultimate responsibility for the Program and is responsible for resource planning and ensuring alignment of Program goals with the institution's mission. The IO relies on the IACUC to oversee the Program, to develop plans to correct program deficiencies, to address concerns that may arise regarding the institution's use of animals, and to make recommendations with regard to the Program. Through semiannual reports to the IO and open channels of communication, the IACUC keeps the IO informed of the status of the Program and alerts the IO to potential noncompliance with Federal policies.
The primary function of UNC's IACUC is to assist faculty, students, and staff in upholding UNC's commitment to providing the finest care and most humane utilization of laboratory animals. To this end, every project involving the use of vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC prior to initiation. The IACUC and Principal Investigator (PI) share the responsibility for the ethical decisions made regarding the care and use of animals. However, the PI assumes the primary responsibility to ultimately assure the fulfillment of the institutional commitment to these values and the continuance of animal-based research at the University of Northern Colorado.
IACUC Policies and Procedures
The use of animals in research, teaching, and testing imposes moral, scientific, and legal obligations for humane care and treatment. The University of Northern Colorado is committed to providing the highest levels of humane treatment and proper care for all vertebrate animals through application of scientific and professional judgment that is based on specific animal needs as well as research and teaching requirements.
