Student leading horse into the barn

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for oversight of the animal care and use program and its components as described in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). Its oversight functions include an ongoing assessment of animal care and use.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s IACUC General Operation Manual (GOM) can be reviewed HERE.

The Animal Use Protocol (AUP) document can be found HERE.

Submission Checklist can be found HERE.

Download a blank Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) document HERE.

IACUC Committee

  • Dr. Edward Ferguson – Chair
  • Dr. Sonny Todd, DVM – Attending Vet
  • Dr. Keely Cleghorn – Member
  • Angie McMillin – Non-voting Member
  • Dr. Darrel Kesler – Community Member

The Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee will serve as member and chair of the IACUC. The IACUC chair will be responsible for:

  • Maintaining membership of the IACUC consistent with federal regulations (9 CFR §2.31)
  • Receiving proposals
  • Conducting initial reviews
  • Calling meetings
  • Recording and distributing minutes
  • Sending letters of notification regarding approval/disapproval to investigator(s).

IACUC Functions

  1. Review at least once every six months SMWC’s program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide and Ag Guide as a basis for evaluation. The IACUC procedures for conducting semiannual program reviews are described in Section 6.1.
  2. Inspect at least once every six months all of SMWC’s facilities using the Guide and Ag Guide as a basis for evaluation. The IACUC procedures for conducting semiannual facility inspections are described in Section 6.2.
  3. Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations as set forth in the PHS Policy IV.B.3 and submit reports to the Institutional Official. The IACUC procedures for developing reports and submitting them to the Institutional Official are described in Section 6.
  4. Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at SMWC. The IACUC procedures for reviewing concerns are described in Section 7.
  5. Make written recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the institution’s animal program, facilities, or personnel training. The procedures for making recommendations to the Institutional Official are described in Section 2.8.
  6. In accord with PHS Policy IV.C.1-3, the IACUC shall review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of activities related to the care and use of animals. The IACUC procedures for protocol review are described in Section 3.
  7. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities as set forth in PHS Policy IV.C. The IACUC procedures for reviewing proposed significant changes in ongoing research or educational projects are described in Section 3.8.
  8. Notify investigators and SMWC in writing of its decision to approve or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals, or of modifications required to secure IACUC approval as set forth in the PHS Policy IV.C.4. The IACUC procedures to notify investigators and the University of its decisions regarding protocol review are described in Section 3.8.
  9. Conduct continuing review of each previously approved, ongoing activity covered by PHS Policy at appropriate intervals as determined by the IACUC, including a complete review in accordance with the PHS Policy IV.C.1-4 at least once every three years. The IACUC procedures for conducting continuing reviews are described in Section 4.
  10. Be authorized to suspend an activity involving animals as set forth in the PHS Policy IV.C.6. The IACUC procedures for suspending an ongoing activity are described in Section 7.4.2.