IACUC

Any use of live, vertebrate animals requires IACUC approval before the start of the project. If, however, your research will be conducted at another facility (i.e., one not affiliated with CWU), AND that facility has its own IACUC, you may not need additional approval from CWU's IACUC. Please contact the IACUC if this situation applies to you.

Yes. We encourage you to submit your protocols as early as possible in the quarter to ensure timely approval, as the committee may have questions or clarifications that need to be addressed before approval can be given.

Archival data constitutes any records (e.g., videos, samples, logs, etc...) that were previously gathered on animals. The researcher(s) do not conduct any activities with "live" animals but rather use existing data for complete their investigation.

IACUC review is not required for using archival data, when:

• The original data was collected under an approved IACUC protocol. In this case, cite the protocol approval number in any presentations or publications AND/OR
• The original data was collected by another institution (e.g. sanctuary, zoo, etc.) for their purposes and under their regulations/policies.

Neither the Primary Investigator nor any other person associated with the proposed research can play a role in producing the original data without IACUC approval and later claim it as "archival research."

If you are planning to use archival data, please contact the IACUC to describe your potential plan and determine if IACUC approval is needed.

Applications for animal use and research activities via IRBManager, an online research portal. Please see the IRBManager page to begin the submission process. Submissions by student researchers will be sent to their faculty supervisor for approval before being reviewed by the IACUC.

During a normal quarter, you should hear back from the committee in approximately 2 weeks from the time your protocol is received by IACUC staff. Between quarters or holiday periods, this may be longer depending on IACUC member availability. 

Please note that when you hear from us, it may be with requests for clarification or modification rather than immediate approval. You can facilitate prompt approval by ensuring that your protocol application is filled out completely and accurately, that the information provided is understandable by individuals outside of your field, and that your project is consistent with federal guidelines for animal care and use. If you have questions about federal guidelines, you can contact the IACUC for information on materials relevant to your project.

To help ensure timely review of protocols, please see the Protocol Submission Deadlines page.

Of foremost concern is whether any animals will be harmed, or whether the potential for harm exists, as a part of your protocol. "Harm" includes, but is not limited to, physical pain and/or injury, death, and psychological distress.

If animals may be harmed, you will need to document the following:

• that alternative methods have been considered but are not appropriate, and why;
• that steps have been taken to minimize the harm;
• that the scientific merit of the project outweighs the harm to the animals;
• that any methods of euthanasia (if relevant) meet with federal guidelines;
• and that the minimum number of animals are used that will allow you to conduct your research with reasonable statistical power.

Principal investigators are responsible for obtaining necessary permits to complete the work as required for their research projects from the appropriate Tribal/State/Federal/International agencies.

Once obtained, these permits should be uploaded to the appropriate IACUC protocol or emailed to iacuc@cwu.edu for record keeping. Students should work with their faculty mentor to ensure the projects they are doing are covered by a permit if needed.

Yes. However, in the past, we have worked with Principal Investigators when concerns have been noted and typically been able to resolve the issues and eventually issue an approval. Your cooperation as part of this process is, of course, vital.

You must notify the IACUC if you intend to make changes to your research protocol. You can submit a amendment/modification form through IRBManager.

The change or addition of personnel who will be responsible for working directly with animals may constitute a significant change. If you have questions about whether your personnel additions fall into this category, please contact the IACUC.

Descriptions of significant and minor changes in the Policies and Procedures Manual.

The IACUC will generally approve protocols for 1 year but can grant continued approval at the time of the annual review. Principal Investigators must submit annual reports to the IACUC for review to maintain ongoing approval of protocols lasting more than 1 year. 

A protocol may last for up to 3 years total if the PI submits reports and the committee grants approval for both the first and second annual review dates. A new protocol application must be submitted for research or teaching activities lasting longer than 3 years.

All Principal Investigators (PIs), Teaching Assistants, and others in instruction or technician roles must be listed as personnel on educational protocols, have up-to-date medical clearance through the Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP), and complete all CITI training relevant to the proposed activities.

PIs must provide participating students with appropriate training and orientation and assume responsibility for ensuring students follow proper procedures. Student training should include information on the species to be used, safety and health risks and how to minimize risks, proper methodologies to minimize animal pain and distress (techniques in animal handling, capture, observation, etc.), and how to report any animal care or use concerns.

PIs must document that all participating students received and signed off on their orientation/training (see template below). Provided that PIs fulfill these requirements, students participating in educational protocols do not need to be listed as personnel on those protocols, receive medical clearance, or complete CITI training.

Student Training Signature Form

Dr. April Binder, IACUC Chair
April.Binder@cwu.edu

Service animals are under the care of their owner and are not regulated by IACUC as they are not used to be used for teaching or research. If an owner wants to use their service animals for teaching or research purposes, then a protocol would need to be completed. If the service animal is working then it does not need to be covered by IACUC protocol.

The CWU IACUC follows CWU guidelines on service animals outlined on CWU 402-03 Service and Emotional Support Animals as Reasonable Accommodation. As stated in this, service animals may be restricted from animal research facilities and grounds. IACUC stands by this for the safety of all animals involved, however, individual cases will be evaluated as necessary.

CWU faculty and students who travel for research and/or teaching experiences that involve the use of animals must have IACUC approval for those protocols and this approval requires OHSP medical clearance. An approved CWU Travel Authorization may be required.