About the IACUC

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged by the Animal Welfare Assurance and the Animals on Campus Policy with reviewing and approving all animal use activities related to teaching, research, or outreach.

The IACUC at CMU uses The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals ("The Guide"), as well as guidelines published by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) to establish standards of practice and standards of performance for acceptable use of animals in teaching, research, and outreach. These standards are reflected in the policies and guidelines that the IACUC has put in place. Policies and guidelines can be referenced by researchers to simplify protocol writing. Deviations from policies and guidelines must be described in an IACUC-approved protocol and scientifically justified.

Central Michigan University's  IACUC is typically comprised of 10-15 individuals. To comply with regulatory requirements, an IACUC must be comprised of a minimum of five members, including a doctor of veterinary medicine,  a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, a non-scientist, and a least one person with no other affiliation with the institution. 

The president of CMU has delegated IACUC appointment authority to the Vice President for Research (the Institutional Official). Nominations are sought from individual departments and colleges at CMU, however, anyone can nominate a faculty, staff or community member to serve on the IACUC. Members are selected according to CMU Policy and selections are based on several factors such as the need for specific expertise and/or regulatory requirements. 

If you have questions, please contact the IACUC Coordinator at 989-774-7313.