Office of Research Compliance Administration

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Functions

As the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at UCSC, IACUC's functions are clearly defined:

1. Review of all proposed uses of vertebrates for research, teaching, and testing to ensure that research is appropriate and animals are treated humanely;
2. Review and development of institutional policy on care and use of laboratory animals;
3. Semiannual inspection and review of UCSC's animal facilities and program for the humane care and use of animals using the current edition of the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) as a basis for evaluation;
4. Support the attending veterinarians' functions;
5. Review of specific concerns or complaints about animal care or use.;
6. Present recommendations to the institutional official (the Vice Chancellor for Research) regarding all aspects of UCSC's animal care and use program. Significant deficiencies in the institution's program must be identified, and the institution must adhere to an approved plan and schedule for correction of the deficiencies;
7. Authority to suspend any activity involving the use of animals which is not being conducted in accordance with the current edition of the Guide standards, or with applicable laws, regulations, or institutional policies.