Boston University (BU) is committed to observing Federal policies and regulations and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International standards for the humane care and use of animals. This policy describes the BU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) membership requirements.<\/p>\n
This policy is applicable to all individuals serving as a member or alternate member of the BU IACUC.<\/p>\n
The BU IACUC shall be sufficiently qualified through the professional competence, expertise and diversity of its membership. No member of the IACUC shall be involved, except in a consultative capacity, in any review in which they have a conflicting interest (e.g., is personally involved in the activity).<\/p>\n
Members are expected to have access to confidential information (e.g., in submissions to the committee, meeting discussions, communications concerning the matters that come before the committee, and otherwise) and are required to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information entrusted to them. Members may not disclose any confidential information except as authorized by an appropriate institutional officer or as required by law. Members may not use any confidential information except to carry out their obligations as committee members. No information may be used by committee members for their own benefit.<\/p>\n
The President of BU has specifically delegated, in writing, that the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance (AVPRC) has the authority to appoint members, who are qualified through experience and expertise, to the BU IACUC. The AVPRC serves as BU\u2019s Institutional Official (IO) and has the administrative and operational authority to commit institutional resources to ensure compliance with the regulations that govern the University\u2019s Animal Care and Use program.<\/p>\n
The IACUC must consist of no fewer than five voting members, and must include at minimum:<\/p>\n
Individuals who meet the requirements of more than one of these categories may fulfill more than one requirement.<\/p>\n
Members, including the Chair, are asked to serve for an initial period of at least 3 years; the term of IACUC membership is ongoing. Members are asked to give adequate notice if they need to cycle off the Committee. The AV is an ex officio voting member of the committee.<\/p>\n
Membership beyond these requirements is drawn from faculty representing Animal Research Units to reflect the diversity of the University\u2019s research portfolio, and to accommodate the workload associated with reviewing a large number of protocols and conducting facility inspections. Each Animal Research Unit will be required to nominate, for the IO\u2019s consideration, an investigator with animal research experience to serve as a member of the IACUC.<\/p>\n
Alternates may be appointed as necessary, will attend meetings when the member they serve as an alternate for is unable to attend, and will have all rights of a regular member. An IACUC member and their alternate may not count toward a quorum at the same time or act in an official member capacity at the same time. Alternates are subject to all member requirements, including training.<\/p>\n
The IACUC may invite individuals with expertise in special areas to assist in the review of issues beyond or in addition to the available expertise of the committee. These individuals serve as consultants on an as-needed basis, providing either written or verbal information to the committee. These consultants are not considered members and do not have voting privileges.<\/p>\n
To ensure that IACUC members are appropriately qualified to fulfill their responsibilities the following training is provided:<\/p>\n
The Associate Vice President for Research Compliance (AVPRC)<\/strong>, as designated in writing by the President of the University<\/strong>, is responsible for appointing IACUC members and alternates to oversee the University\u2019s animal program, facilities, and procedures.<\/p>\n The Animal Welfare Program<\/strong> and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee<\/strong> are responsible for overseeing implementation of and ensuring compliance with this policy.<\/p>\n Animal Research Unit<\/strong>: refers to a Unit, consisting of an academic department with substantial animal research or a grouping of departments each with less substantial animal research.<\/p>\n Ex officio: means by virtue or because of an office<\/p>\n Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nDefinitions<\/h3>\n
Related Policies and References<\/h3>\n