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CSI IACUC

IACUC at College of Staten Island

Both federal and state regulations require the humane treatment of animals used in research and educational activities. Meeting these requirements is the function of the College of Staten Island’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Quality science requires quality animal care. The IACUC works together with the researcher to ensure that animal experiments and educational activities are conducted in accordance with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.

All studies involving the use of live animals must be approved by the IACUC. This applies to all animals, even those that do not enter the animal facilities, those that may be sacrificed upon arrival, and those found in the field. It also includes animal studies performed at other institutions by CSI faculty and staff.

Performing Research, Teaching, or Training at CSI

All CSI faculty, staff, students and administrators who are conducting research with animal subjects must apply for and receive IACUC approval before commencement of their research project. No retroactive approval is ever given. In addition, all non-CSI researchers wishing to conduct research involving animals housed at CSI must also apply for and receive IACUC approval. The members of the IACUC are willing to provide education concerning animal subject regulations and the process of applying. Academic Departments may wish to invite an IACUC member to speak at a meeting concerning IACUC issues.

About the CSI IACUC

The College of Staten Island Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is responsible for oversight of all aspects of animal care and use. The committee includes faculty members with experience in animal studies, a veterinarian, at least one non-science faculty member, and a non-affiliated community member. In addition, the the IACUC Administrator and the Vivarium Director also attend committee meetings. The Chair and all members are appointed by the College's Institutional Official (IO). The IO has been given this deligation as the Institutional Official (IO) by the President of the College (CEO). The IACUC conforms to the general public health service guidelines (PHS policy at IV.A.3.B) concerning membership. IACUC responsibilities include the inspection of the animal facilities and laboratories where animals are housed and/or used. The IACUC also reviews the entire animal care and use program. The IACUC must approve all protocols before animals may be ordered and must certify that all individuals are appropriately trained.

The IACUC meets regularly to review all research or educational use of animals at the college. This may include work with animals that is performed at other institutions by CSI faculty and students. No use of animals may begin without the written approval of the IACUC. New animal proposals must be submitted to the IACUC using the the IACUC Research application. Protocols must be reviewed by designated committee members, and may require full review at a convened meeting. Protocols may be approved for up to three years but require annual review by the IACUC (an Update of Approval application must be submitted annually.) Continuation beyond three years requires a new protocol submission. Minor changes to approved protocols such as addition of personnel must be submitted in writing to the IACUC for approval (an Amendment of Approval application must be submitted.) All significant changes require a new application be submitted. All individuals working on animal protocols must be trained and approved by the IACUC before they may work with animals (CITI Animal Subject Training is required for all Investigators and key personnel, certification must be submitted to the IACUC through the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, 6S 137.)

Guidelines for writing and submitting animal protocols are available from the National Institutes of Health. It is recommended that protocols should be submitted at least four to eight weeks prior to the start date of the project to provide sufficient time for IACUC review and possible modifications needed for approval.

IACUC Meeting and Deadline Information:

Meeting Schedules/Deadlines for Submission

IACUC review meetings will occur at least once per semester. The next IACUC meeting is scheduled for:

May 2013 (tentative)

September 2013

December 2013 (tentative)

March 2014

Any full reviews to be submitted for any of the above meeting dates must be submitted by the 1st of the month in which the meeting will be held.

IACUC Review Process

The IACUC Review Process at College of Staten Island

Initial Review Process

  1. Submit an IACUC Animal Use Application to the IACUC through the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, 6S 137. Electronic submissions of application are acceptable. However, a signed hard copy must be delivered to 6S-137 for the file. In addition each investigator and their key personnel must complete CITI Animal Subject Training and certification must be submitted to the IACUC through the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, 6S 137.
  2. Two members of the IACUC will review the application and the Administrator will inform you of the decision, usually within two weeks of receipt. If revisions are necessary, directions will be provided. Please note that every effort is made to move this process along. However, the speed of completion is dependent upon your speed of response to revisions.
  3. If Full Committee review is needed, your proposal will be reviewed at a scheduled meeting. You will be informed of the IACUC’s meeting date, time, and location. You are encouraged to be available to answer any questions the committee may have during the meeting. If minor revisions are needed, your proposal will be approved awaiting your revisions. If substantive revisions are needed, your proposal needs to be revised and resubmitted for review at the IACUC’s next meeting.

Annual Update of Approval

  1. Submit an Update of Approval application to the IACUC through the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, 6S 137 prior to the protocol's date of annual review. Electronic submissions of application are acceptable. However, a signed hard copy must be delivered to 6S-137 for the file. In addition if an investigator or key personnel is added to the protocol, they must complete CITI Animal Subject Training and a certificate of completion must submitted to the IACUC through the office for the protection of research subjects, 6S 137.
  2. The IACUC Chair will review the application and the Administrator will inform you of the decision, usually within two weeks of receipt. If revisions are necessary, directions will be provided. Please note that every effort is made to move this process along. However, the speed of completion is dependent upon your speed of response to revisions.

Protocol Amendments or Modifications - Prior to the Expiration or Annual Review date

  1. Submit an Amendment of Approval application to the IACUC through the Office for the protection of Research Subjects, 6S 137 prior to implementing any changes to your protocol. Electronic submissions of application are acceptable. However, a signed hard copy must be delivered to 6S-137 for the file. In addition if an investigator or key personnel is added to the protocol they must complete CITI Animal Subject Training and certification must be submitted to the IACUC office, 6S 137. If you wish to only add or remove an individual from the protocol, and make no other changes, you will need to complete and submit an IACUC Amendment Form to Add or Remove Personnell ONLY
  2. The IACUC Chair will review the application and the Administrator will inform you of the decision, usually within two weeks of receipt. If revisions are necessary, directions will be provided. Please note that every effort is made to move this process along. However, the speed of completion is dependent upon your speed of response to revisions.
  • Contact the IACUC office if you have questions or need additional instructions, 718-982-3867.

IACUC Training

Training

The College of Staten Island and CUNY are active participants in the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program. This on-line program provides training to IACUC members, Researchers, Research Staff, and other individuals involved in animal care, treatment, and/or use. Certification of CITI completion must be submitted to the IACUC Office before approval of a protocol, annual update, or amendment will be granted.

Investigators, who are experienced in conducting research with laboratory animals, are responsible for providing hands on training of their own staff in the care, treatment and handling of the specific laboratory animals being used. The importance of humane handling is stressed with all staff.

The consulting veterinarian is available to consult with researchers on various topics related to the use of animals in research. The IACUC strongly encourages consultation with the veterinarian prior to submitting an application for approval. Contact the IACUC Office for more information.

The Laboratory Safety Officer conducts workshops on laboratory safety issues. All individuals involved in animal care and use are strongly urged to attend. For more information contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Additional Educational Resources:

Laboratory Safety

Safety

The College of Staten Island and CUNY are committed to laboratory safety. Each year, students, professors, and researchers are hurt in campus laboratory accidents that could have been prevented if proper safety procedures had been followed. To minimize the risk of such events the University has developed the CUNY Laboratory Safety Manual. This manual contains information on existing federal, state, and local regulatory standards regarding laboratory safety that campuses are obligated to follow, as well as to offer some valuable “best practices”.

Vivarium Charges

For a current list of vivarium charges, please email iacuc@csi.cuny.edu or speak with the Vivarium Director.

IACUC Forms and Links

IACUC Forms

IACUC Links

IACUC Contact Information

For additional information or to receive an application, please contact IACUC@csi.cuny.edu or 718-982-3867