»Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

Use of animals for research is indispensable in developing safe and effective therapies, drugs and devices for human and veterinary use since non-animal models such as computer simulations, and cell cultures cannot completely replicate all the complex processes within a living organism. Typically, novel discoveries are first tested on non-animal models before progressing to the use of animals and finally to human subjects.

An Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is the internal oversight body which ensures that each study has a strong scientific justification, that study designs involve the least number of animals and that animals are handled as compassionately and carefully as possible. As mandated by law, Chapman University’s IACUC includes non-scientists and community members to allow diverse viewpoints in overseeing the institution’s animal research program. The program is a collaborative effort across many stakeholders such as EH&S, Facilities, Strategic Marketing and Communications, and Public Safety.

Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) within the Office of Research at Chapman relies on the observations of individuals to ensure the well-being of all animals used in research or teaching. All personnel - including investigators, members of the public, and animal husbandry staff - are encouraged to express their concern, if they

• see animals that appear to be in pain or distress.
• witness or are involved in an incident that may impact the welfare of laboratory animals at Chapman.
• have a concern about the conduct of personnel handling laboratory animals.
• have a concern about protocol integrity or possible scientific misconduct.

There are several methods for reporting an animal welfare concern:

• Sending an email to the IACUC at iacuc@chapman.edu
• Completing a report through Kuali Build at https://tinyurl.com/AnimalReporting
• Filing an anonymous report with the University's Ethicspoint Helpline at 888-493-1870 or online at https://www.chapman.edu/campus-services/institutional-compliance-and-internal-audit/index.aspx
• Contacting directly any of the following persons by phone, email, or in person. Conversations will be kept confidential

 Chapman University's whistleblower policy is applicable to all reports of animal welfare concerns.

Members representing the Office of Research for Animal Welfare Concerns