Spring on the York College campus

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The mission of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at York College of Pennsylvania is to oversee the humane care of animals used for research and educational purposes. We are committed to ensuring that York College faculty and students have considered all relevant ethical and animal care issues when designing and conducting their research and course materials. Adhering to ethics for humane treatment of animals is not only important, it is also among the values that underlie excellent research and teaching. We guide faculty and students to consider the principles of reduction in the overall number of animals required to perform high-quality research, replacement of animals with alternative models when possible, and refinement of studies to minimize distress and maximize welfare when conducting research using animals.

Our responsibilities:

Our committee provides oversight of all animal care and use on campus. The IACUC is composed of a chair, a veterinarian, research scientists, a non-scientist, and a community representative. We complete the following activities:

  • Review ALL proposed activities and modifications that involve the use of vertebrate animals (we do not house USDA animals on campus)
  • Inspect all laboratories and facilities that house animals twice per year
  • Assure that all personnel are adequately trained to perform work with animals
  • Address concerns about animal care and use on campus
  • Serve as a resource to faculty, students, staff, and administrators and provide guidance for conducting all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles
  • Protect the institution from inadvertent use of animals not in compliance with federal and local regulations as recommended by the National Research Council of the National Academies in the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" (8th Edition, the National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2011).
Humanities Building and the rock Spring 2016.

Important Information About Animal Care and Use

  • Faculty and Student Information

    Faculty and Student Information

    Helpful guidance for faculty and students

    Faculty and students at York College who wish to engage in research and teaching using animals should consult the College’s IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) before beginning those activities. Students are required to work with a faculty mentor and the faculty mentor is responsible for submitting the appropriate forms for approval. 

    Please contact the IACUC chair (iacuc@ycp.edu) to receive additional information.

  • Application Forms

    Application Forms

    To ensure that all research and teaching meets the highest ethical standards, faculty must submit a completed IACUC protocol form for review by the committee. Protocols must be approved prior to the start of any research or teaching activities that use vertebrate animals. The YCP Guidelines for the Animal Care Program provide helpful explanations to complete all sections of the protocol form. 

    To ensure the safety of faculty, students, and staff, all personnel who plan to do research with vertebrate animals are asked to complete the Health and Safety form and review that form with a staff member in the Health Center. The form will be kept confidential and housed in the Health Center.

    Once a protocol is approved by the committee, an amendment form is required to make any changes to the teaching or research activities.  

    Please contact the IACUC chair (iacuc@ycp.edu) to receive additional information.

  • Report a Concern

    Report a Concern

    Learn how to report animal care and use concerns.

    York College of Pennsylvania is committed to the humane treatment of animals used for scientific research and teaching. You can help ensure that we maintain the highest standard of ethical and scientific excellence.

    If you have a question or concern about animal welfare, we urge you to contact a Department Chair or the IACUC chair at iacuc@ycp.edu. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will investigate and evaluate concerns raised by anyone regarding the care and use of animals at York College.

    In addition, an anonymous web form is available to report illegal or unethical conduct related to animals used for research and teaching purposes. This web form may be used anonymously with the goal of providing a non-threatening approach to handling problems and issues of concern.

  • Need Help?

    Need Help?

    We're glad to help you with this process. If you need information about human research subjects, learn more about the Institutional Review Board.

    Contact:

    Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
    iacuc@ycp.edu

Contact Us
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Please email the IACUC chair with any inquiries or concerns:

iacuc@ycp.edu