The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

An Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for the assessment and oversight of the institution’s animal program components and facilities, as described by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. The IACUC functions to provide oversight that includes review and approval of proposed animal use (IACUC protocol review) and of proposed significant changes to animal use; regular inspection of facilities and animal use areas; regular review of the Program; ongoing assessment of animal care and use; and establishment of a mechanism for receipt and review of concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution.

How do I get IACUC approval?

First, determine whether your project involves with laboratory animals, field study with disturbance, or specific invertebrates.

• Laboratory animals: Any vertebrate animal (e.g., traditional laboratory animals, agricultural animals, wildlife, and some aquatic species) produced for or used in research, testing, or teaching. An Animal Protocol is required if an animal is purchased or euthanized for the sole purpose of obtaining tissues. Review and approval of work with pre-hatched chicken eggs and zebrafish embryos is not required.
• Observational Activities Involving No Contact with or Disturbance of Covered Species: IACUC requires the review and approval of observational activities that involve contact or disturbing a covered species. As defined by the IACUC, disturbing is any activity that materially alters the behavior of the animal. Review and approval of observational activities that do not involve contact or disturbing covered animals is not required.
• Invertebrate animals that require IACUC approval: all cephalopods. Invertebrate animals that DO NOT require IACUC approval include, but are not limited to; snails, nematodes, flies, and other insects.

Second, utilize the Guide for the Care and Use of Animals and the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals to determine species appropriate care and euthanasia guidelines.

Third, complete an IACUC Protocol and Health Form and submit to the committee chair, iacuc-contact@cornellcollege.edu.

Protocol review process

Prior to the review, each IACUC member will be provided with a list of proposed research projects to be reviewed. Written descriptions of research projects that involve the care and use of animals shall be available to all IACUC members, and any member of the IACUC may obtain, upon request, full committee review of those research projects.

No member may participate in the IACUC review or approval of a research project in which the member has a conflicting interest (e.g., is personally involved in the project) except to provide information requested by the IACUC; nor may a member who has a conflicting interest contribute to the constitution of a quorum.

Types of reviews

Designated Member Review: If full committee review is not requested, at least one member of the IACUC, designated by the chairperson and qualified to conduct the review, shall review those research projects and have the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or request full committee review of those research projects.

Full Committee Review: If full committee review is requested, approval of those research projects may be granted only after review at a convened meeting of a quorum of the IACUC and with the approval vote of a majority of the quorum present.

Review timeline

Expect a minimum of three weeks for each protocol to be reviewed and any comments returned to the principal investigator. In the case of a full committee review, the IACUC will meet at the earliest convenience and any comments returned to the principal investigator the following day.

Protocol review 

The animal use protocol is a detailed description of the proposed use of laboratory animals. The form and accompanying Health Form(s) must be completed in full and submitted to the chair of the IACUC.

Types of decisions

Approved (research may begin). No further action is required and the principal investigator is free to initiate the study.

Require modifications/additional information to secure Approval (research may not begin). Changes, revisions, or additional information is required before the study may begin. Comments must be addressed and highlighted in a resubmitted protocol and the IACUC must approve these before the study can begin.

Call for full committee review (research may not begin). The proposed research, because of the level of hazards/stress involved, cannot be initiated until an IACUC meeting can occur and the protocol discussed in full.

Committee Members

• Chair, Steven Neese, Associate Professor of Psychology
• Rick Smith, DVM
• Jim Bonewald, community member
• Additional rotating committee members

Contact the committee

Email: iacuc-contact@cornellcollege.edu
Address: IACUC, Cornell College, 600 First Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314-1098

Reference resources

• Public Health Service Policy [PDF]
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals [PDF]
• AVMA Guideline for Euthanasia [PDF]

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