It is the policy of Central Washington University to provide the best possible care for animals used in research or teaching, thereby meeting or exceeding accepted guidelines and all applicable federal, state, and local legislation.  The university follows the guidelines outlined in the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and The Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.  The latest editions of these publications are available at the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.  All university personnel (faculty, employees, and students) are responsible for adherence to this policy. This policy covers all animals owned or in the care of university personnel. All research and/or teaching conducted by CWU faculty involving vertebrate animals, whether it occurs on campus or off, must follow the guidelines established in this document.

(1) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) – All activities, including research and teaching, that  involve live vertebrate animals must be approved in advance by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  The clearance form (available on the IACUC website) must be submitted to the committee through the online system with sufficient time for the committee to review the application and, if necessary, to examine the facilities to be used. 

The membership of the IACUC is comprised of at least five individuals.  As prescribed by Public Health Service guidelines, the committee includes a doctor of veterinary medicine, a non-scientist, at least one person experienced in the care and use of animals, and an individual not affiliated with the university.
Responsibilities of the IACUC include the following:

(A) Review semi-annually the university's animal care and use program.

(B) Inspect semi-annually the university's animal facilities.

(C) Review applications for all activities relating to the care and use of vertebrate animals, including modifications to existing approved protocols.

(D) Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the university.

(E) Suspend activities involving vertebrate animals when CWU personnel fail to comply with the details outlined in their applications and/or violate animal care and use guidelines.

(2) Guidelines for Animal Care and Use – Approval to use live vertebrate animals in research or teaching requires that the activities be closely matched to the educational use or research objectives. Also, the species and numbers of animals to be used must be carefully matched with the specific aims of the protocol.  All efforts should be made to reduce the number of animals to be used, use the least sentient species possible, and to refine procedures to minimize pain and distress. All relevant permits (e.g., state collection permits) are required to be in place before activities involving animals can commence.

Animal Care and Use applications require detailed descriptions of:

(A) A list of all personnel involved in the activities.

(B) The species and quantity of animals to be used, as well as their source.

(C) Animal handling, feeding, and care.

(D) The experimental procedures involving the use of animals, including efforts to minimize pain and distress.

(E) The final disposition of the animals, including techniques for euthanasia and disposal.

(3) Personnel
  
(A) All university personnel involved in the research of live vertebrate animals must obtain medical clearance from  CWU’s Occupational Health and Safety Program before engaging in any activities. Enrollment forms for medical clearance are available on the CWU IACUC website.

(B) All university personnel must have completed training as required by the IACUC before engaging in any activities involving live vertebrate animals. This will include general training regarding the use of animals in research and teaching (e.g., training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) and hands-on training in the relevant techniques from experienced personnel. Information for completing CITI training is available on the CWU IACUC website.

[PAC: 7/18/88; PAC: 1/18/06; Responsibility: Graduate Studies & Research; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; Reviewed/Endorsed by: Provost's Council 03/13/2012; Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 4/4/2012; 2/20/2019; Approved by: James L. Guadino, President]