Spring 2018
Issue 2
Reduction, Refinement, replacement
Upcoming Inspections
April semi-annual IACUC inspections are scheduled for THIS WEEK, starting Thursday, April 5th – Monday, April 9th. The IACUC will be visiting laboratories and animal facilities as follows:
Thursday Afternoon, April 5th: HSRF and Given animal facilities AND Given, HSRF, Stafford, and Marsh Life Sciences laboratories
Friday Morning, April 6th: Colchester Research Facility, John Dewey Hall laboratories and animal facilities as well as the Rubenstein laboratory
Monday Afternoon, April 9: Morgan Horse Farm, Spear Street dairy and equine facilities.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Update
As the May 1st CITI training completion deadline nears, we would like to take the opportunity to share CITI training completion data. Of the 354 PIs and key personnel listed on active IACUC protocols, approximately 33% have completed all of their required trainings. As mentioned in the last training update, we continue to find that many individuals have begun the courses but have not completely satisfied all of the requirements (e.g. general training is complete but not the species-specific training). To assist you in determining which trainings are required, RPO has created two resources:
CITI Resource Page (opens in a new window) – this page not only provides instructions on how to access CITI, log in, and create an account, we have also added a quick reference table to help you determine what trainings are required. Under step 5 of the general instructions, click “Laboratory Animal Training (IACUC)” to view the table and additional instructions.
InfoEd Protocols – PIs and their delegates can access the required trainings on a specific protocol, by referencing the Summary page of the protocol. The requirement is listed towards the bottom of the Summary page in the “training required on protocol” field. Instructions for viewing this field were sent in the December 12th training update. If you require further assistance, please contact our office.
It is important to remember that there may be different requirements for each protocol that you are listed on. Please take a moment to make sure that you have completed the “General Lab Animal Training” as well as the species specific training for each species (rat, mouse, amphibians, etc.) that are listed on the protocol(s) on which you are working. If you are unsure which courses you or your staff have completed, we have created a course completion dropdown (opens in a new window) that allows you to check. A ̽̽ NetID is required to open this database. Simply start typing the last name of the person that you’re looking for to see which courses have been completed.
Again, the deadline is May 1st or until such time that you are added as a PI or key personnel to a new protocol, whichever comes first. If you still have questions about what training you are required to take, please contact the helpful folks in our front office at 6-5040 or email IACUC@uvm.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
Six Year Renewal Update
The automatic reminder notification for six-year renewal protocols has been updated to provide clearer instructions on what the IACUC is expecting to see when we receive a protocol for renewal. The new protocol should reflect all current activities being conducted or those planned to be conducted on the project. What we do not want to see are the activities which have already been completed. The renewed protocol should not be a copy/paste of the old protocol, but an updated document which reflects the work that is currently underway or has yet to be done. In addition, please do not forget to include the current funding source for the project. If the funding source has changed to an internal source, documentation of a scientific merit review must be included.
It is also very important that materials be submitted to the IACUC with ample time to allow for review. Renewal protocols require a vet review, so be sure to check the IACUC Calendar (opens in a new window) for deadline dates. It is advised that you submit your protocol at least 8 weeks in advance, to allow for Full Committee review, if required (e.g. pain levels D & E). Protocols that have reached the end of their six-year life span will be closed, so it is critical that the new protocol be reviewed and approved before the expiration date of the old protocol. Feel free to contact our office with any questions about this process.
Occupational Health and Safety Program
Just a reminder to all PIs that enrollment in ̽̽’s Occupational Health and Safety Program is open to all animal researchers. We have many Undergraduate students whose exposure to animals is limited. While those students are not required to enroll in the program, it is important that they are made aware of the occupational health program and are provided with information about possible risks associated with their activity. Students in need of medical attention should contact the Student Health Center. For more information, please see .
Policy Updates
Revised 3/26/18
Revised 3/26/18
Revised 3/26/18
New! 3/26/18
You may find these updates along with all IACUC policies within .