Cornell University Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

IACUC - Membership & Responsibilities

IACUC Functions

Federal regulations mandate that the Chief Executive Officier of Cornell University apoint an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to provide guidance and oversee the animal care and use program and to maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The IACUC is responsible for the following oversight functions:

1. Review, at least once every 6 months, the research facility's program, using AWAR, USDA Regulations/Guide and the AG Guide as basis for evaluation.
2. Inspect, at least once every 6 months, all of the animal facilities, including animal study areas/satellite facilities, using AWAR, USDA Regulations/Guide and the AG Guide as basis for evaluation.
3. Prepare reports of IACUC evaluations and submit the reports to the Institutional Official.
4. Review and investigate legitimate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the research facility resulting from public complaints and from reports of non-compliance received from facility personnel or employees.
5. Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the research facility's animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
6. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those components of proposed activities related to the care and use of animals.
7. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding care and use of animals in ongoing activities.
8. Suspend activity involving animals when necessary; take corrective action and report to funding agencies and USDA.

IACUC Composition

Federal regulations require that the membership of the IACUC include at a minimum a veterinarian, a scientist experienced in research involving animals, a member whose principal expertise is in a nonscientific field of study, and an individual not affiliated with Cornell.

Because Cornell is a large institution, additional members are included to provide ample representation of investigators, to reflect the diversity of the institution's research portfolio, and to accommodate the workload associated with reviewing a large number of protocols and conducting facility inspections. Membership beyond the minimum required by regulation is drawn from faculty and staff of the colleges and divisions of the university in approximate proportion to the number of animal users or animal use protocols in those units.

Ordinarily, the membership of IACUC at Cornell includes at least the following members:

• Voting members appointed by the President in consultation with the Faculty Senate
• One faculty member, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• One faculty member, College of Veterinary Medicine
• One faculty member, College of Human Ecology
• One faculty member, College of Arts and Sciences
• One faculty member (non-biologist)
• One research or animal care technician, manager or supervisor
• Two members not affiliated with the university*
• The Attending Veterinarian (AV)
• The Biosafety Officer, Environmental Health and Safety, whose role includes bringing human health and safety issues to the attention of the committee

*The nonaffiliated members represent general community interests in the proper care and use of animals, are not laboratory animal users affiliated with the university, or immediate family members of a person who is affiliated with the university.

Membership terms will be three years (except for the AV and Biosafety Officer, who are ex officio with voting privileges).

Alternates are also appointed as necessary, will attend meetings when a regular member is unable to attend, and will have all rights of the regular member.

The following are non-voting members (ex officio)

• Institutional Official
• IACUC Coordinator
• Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance

Note: If a list of the IACUC membership is needed, please contact ORIA.