UAF Policies

Several UAF policies may be applicable to individuals using vertebrate animals in research, teaching or testing activities. These policies include, but are not limited to, the following (required reading):

• Animal Care & Use: This policy establishes the obligations and responsibilities of UAF administration and university members with respect to the use of live vertebrates in research, teaching, and diagnostic activities. The policy also describes the duties of the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), Office of Research Integrity, and Veterinary Services within the animal care program.
• Use of Controlled Substances in Research & Teaching: This policy establishes the obligations and responsibilities for UAF administration and university members related to the use of controlled substances (drugs and chemicals regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency) in research and teaching activities. The policy also defines the approvals necessary to become a University Authorized Registrant or an Authorized User.
• Occupational Health & Safety Program: Animal Facilities: This policy formally establishes an occupational health and safety program for UAF animal facilities. Participation in this program is mandatory for all personnel who require independent access to any UAF animal facility. The OHSP is managed jointly by the Office of Research Integrity and the Department of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management in cooperation with the University's contract health care provider.
• Biosafety Policy: This policy establishes UAF policy related to the oversight of research and teaching activities involving the use of infectious agents, recombinant DNA, and select agents. The policy also defines the responsibilities of UAF administration, university members, the Biosafety Officer, and the Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Links to current versions of UAF policies are also available on the Center for Research Services website.

The UAF Animal Care Program consists of three administrative components: the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Veterinary Services, and the Animal Facilities. Briefly, the IACUC is responsible for oversight of the animal care program and for review/approval of all uses of animals at UAF or by UAF personnel, Veterinary Services is responsible for ensuring that adequate veterinary care is provided to all live vertebrates used in research and teaching at UAF, and the Animal Facilities staff maintain the facilities and typically provide daily care for all of the animals housed within the facility under the oversight of the IACUC and Veterinary Services.

The Office of Research Integrity provides administrative support to the IACUC and coordinates with the Veterinary Services and Animal Facility staff to on issues related to facility inspections, personnel training, management of controlled substances, occupational health & safety, and animal facility access.