Corban University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews research protocols and conducts evaluations of the institution’s animal care and use, including inspection of facilities used for animals in laboratory research. The Corban IACUC is composed of six members:
- Felicia Squires, Chair
- Jay Welch, Veterinarian
- Sarah Comstock, science professor
- Christina Cooper, science professor
- Jennifer Bruce, non-scientist
- Anne Evans, unaffiliated member
The IACUC reviews research protocols and conducts evaluations of the institution’s animal care. The evaluations include inspections of all animal use facilities every six months. When research is funded by the federal government, IACUC reports to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) annually.
Each animal use protocol (AUP) is reviewed by the IACUC committee every year. Each protocol must cover these points:
- Identification of the species and approximate number of animals to be used
- Rationale for involving animals, and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers used
- A complete description of the proposed use of the animals
- A description of procedures designed to assure that discomfort and injury to animals will be limited to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically valuable research, and that analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs will be used where indicated and appropriate to minimize discomfort and pain to animals
- A description of any euthanasia method to be used
In review, the IACUC is required to ensure that the proposed work falls within the OLAW Animal Welfare Assurance, and that the following points are covered:
- Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with sound research design
- Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator
- Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will be painlessly killed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure
- The living conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. The housing, feeding, and nonmedical care of the animals will be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied
- Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian
- Personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures
- Methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
Whistleblowing policy: Any Corban employee or student who is aware of potential violations to animal care and use regulations or observes misuse or mistreatment of animals is strongly encouraged to report their concerns by contacting the IACUC Chair, Dr. Felicia Squires, by email at fsquires@corban.edu or by phone at 503-375-7089. Corban University will not tolerate retaliation toward, or harassment of, employees or students who report actual or possible violations. Investigations will be conducted carefully and discreetly, with all reasonable precautions, consistent with the need for a complete and comprehensive review of the report.