A.

The line of authority and responsibility for administering the program and ensuring compliance with this policy is:

B.

The qualifications, authority, and percent of time contributed by veterinarian(s) who will participate in the program are:

Dr. Carolyn McMasters received her training in veterinary medicine at Cornell University in 1978, where she completed course work in laboratory animal care. Dr. McMasters also has 27 years of experience diagnosing and treating laboratory and exotic species in her veterinary practice.

 

Dr. McMasters provides expert direction for the overall supervision of the laboratory animals at Ithaca College. She has delegated the normal day-to-day maintenance of the animals to the animal caretaker, who is regularly supervised by the IACUC chair. Dr. McMasters conducts regularly scheduled visits (at least two per year) and unscheduled visits (at least two per year) to the animal facilities in addition to serving as a member of IACUC. Dr. McMasters notifies the chair of the IACUC in the event of any discrepancies from normal policy of animal husbandry and care. It is the Chairman's responsibility to assure expeditious remedy of the situation. Dr. McMasters retains the prerogative of ordering or personally undertaking the necessary actions to insure that no animal undergoes inhumane treatment or suffering. It is estimated that she devotes 2 percent of her time to these tasks.

 

The animal facilities are inspected at least once a year by a veterinarian employed by New York State. These are unannounced visits. Copies of the results of these inspections are provided for the IACUC chair and Dr. McMasters.

 

In addition, the services of the diagnostic center at the Cornell University Veterinary School are readily available. This service can be utilized for necropsy interpretation and advice on special problems.

 

C.

This institution has established an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is qualified through the experience and expertise of its members to oversee the institution's animal program, facilities, and procedures. The IACUC consists of at least five members, and its membership meets the compositional requirements set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.A.3.b. Attached is a list of the names, position titles, earned degrees and other credentials of the IACUC chair and members.

 

D.

The IACUC will:

 

1.

Review at least once every six months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation.

 

The IACUC procedures for conducting semiannual program evaluations are: Any changes in normal animal care procedures are submitted in writing to the members of the committee at least two weeks prior to the semiannual meeting. All changes to procedure are voted on by the entire committee, with any absent members submitting their vote and/or concerns in writing to the chair.

 

2.

Inspect at least once every six months all of the institution's animal facilities (including satellite facilities) using the Guide as a basis for evaluation.

 

The IACUC procedures for conducting semiannual facility inspections are: All committee members attending the semiannual meetings inspect all animal housing facilities with the animal care staff, veterinarian, and chair of the IACUC. Any concerns are noted and corrected under the guidance of the chair.

 

3.

Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.B.3. and submit the reports to Provost Peter Bardaglio.

 

The IACUC procedure for developing reports and submitting them to the institutional official is: Minutes of the semiannual IACUC meeting and inspections are submitted, including any minority opinions. A list of all approved protocols is also included and submitted by the IACUC chair to the institutional official.

 

4.

Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution.

 

The IACUC procedures for reviewing concerns are: Individual concerns about animal care can be submitted to any member of the IACUC committee. All concerns are presented to the chair, who discusses them with the veterinarian, if necessary, the animal caretakers, and the principal investigator using the animals. If deemed necessary by the chair, a meeting of the IACUC can be called to discuss the concerns. Any necessary changes in animal care or use can be mandated by the IACUC, with no reprisals to the reporting individual.

 

5.

Make written recommendations to Provost Bardaglio regarding any aspect of the institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training.

 

The procedures for making recommendations to the institutional official are: The IACUC chair will submit recommendations, as approved by the IACUC, to the institutional official regarding changes in the animal care procedures, facilities, or personnel training.

 

6.

Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval) or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.

 

The IACUC procedures for protocol review are: Animal protocols involving live vertebrate animals are submitted by the principal investigator to the chair of the IACUC at least two weeks prior to the scheduled IACUC review. These protocols include a project description (suitable for non-scientists), a statement of the purpose of the project, a rationale for the use of animals and the number of animals used, an explanation of why a non-living model is not appropriate, certification that this project does not duplicate previous studies, a description of how the animals will be used and cared for and what means are taken to insure a minimum of discomfort and suffering of the animals, and how the animals will be disposed of at the end of the study. All members of the IACUC review each protocol and vote for either (1) approval, (2) approval with revisions, or (3) rejection. Protocols requiring revisions are given two weeks to make the necessary changes. The revised protocols are reviewed by the chair, and at least one other committee member, prior to final approval. All IACUC meetings must have a quorum for protocol reviews. Members unable to attend will submit their comments and votes in writing to the chair prior to the meeting. In cases where expedited review is necessary, such as initial laboratories involving animals for new teaching labs, or amendments to current active protocols, the chair will assign one committee member to serve as the designated reviewer of the protocol. In addition, the protocols are distributed to the entire committee and any committee member may request a full committee review. If no concerns are raised by the general membership and both the designated reviewer and the veterinarian recommend approval, the protocol will be approved by the chair. If any IACUC member raises concerns, a full review by the IACUC will be convened.

 

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 the PHS Policy at IV.C.

 

The IACUC procedures for reviewing proposed significant changes in ongoing research projects are: Proposed changes and concerns are submitted to the IACUC by the principal investigator (PI). The PI will submit a protocol to the committee for review and the review will follow the procedures outlined previously. If the changes require expedited review, the chair will assign one committee member to serve as the designated reviewer. The protocol is also submitted to the entire committee and any committee member may request a full committee review. If no concerns are raised by the general membership and both the designated reviewer and the veterinarian recommend approval, the protocol will be approved by the chair. If any IACUC member raises concerns, a full review by the IACUC will be convened.

 

8.

Notify investigators and the institution 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 at IV.C.4.

 

The IACUC procedures to notify investigators and the institution of its decisions regarding protocol review are: The chair of the IACUC informs all investigators of the decisions regarding submitted protocols in writing immediately after the IACUC meeting. Any protocols requiring revision are notified as the concerns of the IACUC and the revisions needed to obtain approval. Any protocols not approved by the IACUC are notified in writing as to the reasons for rejection. Rejected protocols must be revised and re-reviewed by the entire IACUC to obtain approval for the animal use. A summary of all protocol decisions are forwarded to the Institutional Official.

 

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 at IV.C. 1-4. at least once every three years.

 

The IACUC procedures for conducting review are: Protocols funded by federal agencies can be approved for a maximum of a three year period. Any funded protocols that continue beyond the three year period will need to submit a protocol for review by the IACUC for animal use to continue, as described in the procedures for protocol reviews. Unfunded protocols and protocols for teaching laboratories will be reviewed annually.

 

10.

Be authorized to suspend an activity involving animals as set forth in the PHS Policy at IV.C.6.

 

The IACUC procedure for suspending an ongoing activity are: If necessary, the IACUC can suspend an ongoing activity. The investigator, all members of the IACUC, the Institutional Official, and the OLAW are notified of the suspension. The animal use cannot be resumed without full review by the IACUC and evidence that the corrective actions recommended by the IO and the IACUC have been implemented. A full report of any suspensions and corrective actions will be reported to the OLAW.

 

E.

The individual authorized by this institution to verify IACUC approval of those sections of the applications and proposals related to the care and use of animals is Provost Peter Bardaglio.

 

F.

The occupational health and safety program for personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities or have frequent contact with animals is: A new-employee screening is conducted to determine that employees are aware of the risk of workplace-related allergies, to verify they possess the necessary physical stamina to carry out the work, and to inform them of the procedures for health monitoring, accident prevention and accident reporting Currently, Ithaca College requires the animal care staff receive a tuberculosis test at least once a year (or every six months if a staff member has/will received training at non-Ithaca College laboratories where TB may be an increased risk). They must demonstrate a negative test for tuberculosis (Tine test or other) or provide verification from their physician that the disease is in remission. In the latter case, a yearly verification will be required. The animal care staff also undergo a yearly physical examination at the Ithaca College Hammond Health Center. The physical may also be administered by the staff member's personal physician; verification is required in writing. Animal care staff are also vaccinated against tetanus. Ithaca College will provide two routine TB tests, tetanus vaccinations, and one routine physical, yearly, for animal care staff. Minor injuries resultant from on-the-job accidents are cared for at the Hammond Health Center. Injuries or illness requiring more than first-aid procedures may require immediate response by Campus Safety officers and are cared for by the Cayuga Medical Center Emergency Room or the employee’s primary-care physician. Any injurious accident or any disease suspected of being employment related is to be reported in writing, within 24 hours, to the Ithaca College Office of Human Resources and the IACUC Chair.

 

Ithaca College Office of Environmental Health and Safety also holds programs on fire safety and hazardous materials safety, yearly. Protective equipment (lab coats, gloves, masks, etc.) are provided as needed, with consultation with the department of Environmental Health and Safety. Resources on occupational health and safety are kept in CNS 131 and regular review is required of animal care staff. Material Safety Data Sheets are kept in CNS 171.

 

G.

The total gross number of square feet in each animal facility (including each satellite facility), the species of animals housed therein and the average daily inventory, by species, of animals in each facility, are:

 

Animal Facilities, Total Sq.Ft: 2876

 

See attached table (Facility and Species Inventory) for breakdown of square footage and animal census.

 

H.

The training or instruction available to scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved in animal care, treatment, or use is: All personnel involved in animal care and use must undergo training with the animal caretaker, or provide certification of previous training, prior to animal use. The animal caretaker provides a training session to all new animal users, particularly undergraduate research students, a minimum of three times a year. Principal investigators must provide sufficient proof of qualifications for animal use to the chair of the IACUC and the veterinarian (for invasive procedures) prior to beginning animal use. Any investigator lacking sufficient qualifications will be provided with appropriate training from the animal caretaker, IACUC chair, and/or veterinarian as needed. This training will include such topics as minimizing pain and distress and determination of animal number. When necessary, faculty and the IACUC Chair can consult with experts at nearby Cornell Veterinary Medical School. Documentation of all individuals certified for animal use will be maintained with the IACUC records.

A.

This institution will maintain for at least three years:

 

1.

A copy of this Assurance and any modifications thereto, as approved by PHS.

 

2.

Minutes of IACUC meetings, including records of attendance, activities of the committee, and committee deliberations.

 

3.

Records of applications, proposals, and proposed significant changes in the care and use of animals and whether IACUC approval was given or withheld.

 

4.

Records of semiannual IACUC reports and recommendations (including minority views) as forwarded to Provost Peter Bardaglio.

 

5.

Records of accrediting body determinations.

 

B.

This institution will maintain records that relate directly to applications, proposals, and proposed changes in ongoing activities reviewed and approved by the IACUC for the duration of the activity and for an additional three years after completion of the activity.

 

C.

All records shall be accessible for inspection and copying by authorized OLAW or other PHS representatives at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.

A.

At least once every 12 months, the IACUC, through the Institutional Official, will report in writing to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

 

1.

Any change in the status of the institution (e.g., if the institution becomes accredited by AAALAC or AAALAC accreditation is revoked), and change in the description of the institution's program for animal care and use as described in this Assurance, or any changes in IACUC membership. If there are no changes to report, this institution will submit a letter to OLAW stating that there are no changes.

 

2.

Notification of the date that the IACUC conducted its semiannual evaluations of the institution's program and facilities (including satellite facilities) and submitted the evaluations to Dean Erlich.

 

B.

The IACUC, through the Institutional Official, will provide the OLAW promptly with a full explanation of the circumstances and actions taken with respect to:

 

1.

Any serious or continuing noncompliance with the PHS Policy;

 

2.

Any serious deviations from the provisions of the Guide;

 

3.

Any suspension of an activity by the IACUC.

 

C.

Reports filed under VI.A.2. and VI.B. above shall include any minority views filed by members in the IACUC.