Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Facilities Inspection
Visitor Authorization
Memorandum of Understanding
Name of Visitor:
Date of Visit:
Facilities to Visit:
IACUC Inspection Team Captain:
NC State University is committed to the ethical care and treatment of animals used in research and training. All animal use at the university is carefully considered by a committee of scientists, lay people, administrators and a member of the broader community not affiliated with the university in any way other than their service on this committee. This committee is called the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and is an executive standing committee responsible to the University’s Chancellor and operates under the auspices of Board of Trustees policy 12 – Research. Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies personally serves as the Institutional Official. The committee operates under federal laws, rules and regulations as well as various accreditation agencies such as the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International.
Your desire to accompany the IACUC on a facility inspection is representative of the University’s desire to showcase how seriously we take the care and use of animals. To this end, we are compelled to assure that your presence on this inspection could in no way bring harm to the animals. Specifically, but not limited to, the following covenants are required before you will be authorized to attend the inspection:
(1) Biosecurity: You have not been out of the country within the last XXX days.
(2) Physical Security of Facilities and Animals: You will not take any pictures of the animals or animal facilities to ensure they are safe from harm by unscrupulous individuals with intent to harm the animals or halt the research or training for which they have been approved for use.
(3) Confidentiality: You recognize that you may come into contact with proprietary information of the university or third party sponsors and that you are bound to maintain this information in confidence in perpetuity unless granted authority to release the information by the IACUC or as otherwise may be required by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(4) Personal Danger and Indemnification of NC State University: You acknowledge that there are certain inherent dangers in touring animal facilities and to this end indemnify and hold harmless the university from any harm, howsoever caused, that may accrue to you resulting from your participation in the inspection.
(5) Obligation to Report Concerns: If you observe any practices or circumstances that you believe represent less than the highest standard of ethical care and treatment of animals you will report such to the IACUC. The IACUC will consider the concerns and may call upon you to present additional details in writing or in person to the IACUC but will not be obligated to report back to you the outcome of their deliberations.
(6) Opposition to Animal Use: To the extent you are opposed to the use of animals in research and/or training purposes, you recognize that NC State University’s efforts to include visitors external to the IACUC and appropriate facility’s management is intended to raise awareness and confidence in our animal care and use program. You must acknowledge your opposition to animal use in research and training below but this does not in and of itself preclude you from attending the inspection.
(7) IACUC Inspection Team Instructions: The IACUC inspection team, including but not limited to the captain of the team, may provide you with specific instructions during the visit including prohibiting you access to certain areas within a facility or dismissing you from the inspection altogether. Any and all instructions by the IACUC inspection team must be followed. To the extent you object to any such instructions you will be asked to disembark from the inspection.
(8) Campus Security Involvement: Campus security will be informed of your visit request and authorization or refusal to accompany the IACUC inspection team and they may perform a background check after consulting and garnering your specific and separate approval.
By signing below I have read and understand the covenants above and recognize my responsibilities and obligations in attending the IACUC facility inspection.
Visitor Signature I am / am not opposed
to animal use in research and/or
training.
Signature and Date
Authorized by University Executive Officer (VC or higher)
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, or
Assistant Vice Chancellor / UAV, or
IACUC Chair
Signature and Date
Visitor Authorization (IACUC) v. 10/05/2005