Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Bemidji State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is tasked with ensuring the ethical and responsible use of animals in research, teaching, service and display. The IACUC is made up of six committee members (i.e., faculty, a community member not affiliated with the university and a local veterinarian) who review protocols from faculty, staff and students.

IACUC review is required prior to initiation of the following activities:

  • Projects or activities involving animals conducted by University faculty (tenure-track or adjunct), staff or students both on and off University premises.
  • Activities involving animals performed with or using facilities or equipment belonging to the University
  • Activities involving animals satisfying a requirement imposed by the University for a degree program or completion of a course of study

Collaborative research conducted by a lead researcher not affiliated with the University but in partnership with BSU employees and/or students must undergo IACUC review either by the lead researcher’s institution or through BSU.

IACUC review is not required for the following activities:

  • Use of tissues, organs or other parts of deceased animals
  • Noninvasive observation of wild animals in their natural habitat. Note: Field studies that involve killing, trapping, banding, darting, implantation of telemetry devices or any other invasive manipulation requires IACUC review and approval.

Protocol Procedure

  1. Contact Institutional Official, Allen Bedford, Allen.Bedford@bemidjistate.edu at least 4 – 6 weeks prior to the start of research or other activity. If the activity requires full IACUC review, a date and time for committee review will be scheduled.
  2. Complete IACUC protocol form (below) and include a 1 – 3 page project summary/rationale document which outlines goals, objectives, activities, number of animals impacted and expected results/benefits. If the study requires any permits, a copy of those permits must be attached to the protocol materials.
  3. Submit these documents via email with any other pertinent documentation to the Institutional Convener via email at least 4 weeks prior to the committee review date.
  4. During the IACUC convening, the researcher(s)/project team will be asked to answer any questions from the committee. Once the question period is complete, the researcher(s)/project team will be asked to leave the meeting. The committee members will then vote to approve the protocol, approve with modifications or not approve with addressed major concerns. If the protocol is approved, forms and any additional notes will be sent to the provost for review and signature. A date of expiration for the project will be provided on the forms for the researcher(s)’ records.

It is the responsibility of the research team to notify the IACUC convener of any protocol changes, concerns or issues that may arise during project implementation. Failure to do so will result in protocol approval revocation by the IACUC committee.

IACUC Review Criteria

The IACUC must determine if a project’s benefit to society outweighs any potential pain or suffering to an animal(s). Additionally, any pain or discomfort inflicted must be kept to a minimum.

All proposed animal use activities are reviewed using the following criteria:

  • All activities involving animals are in accord with the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service – Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and any institutional policies and procedures.
  • A clear rationale is provided for the involvement of animals, the species of interest and number of animals to be used.
  • Any animals being housed must have living conditions consistent with standards of housing, feeding and care as directed by a veterinarian or scientist with appropriate expertise. Medical care must be provided by a qualified veterinarian.
  • The investigator has considered alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animal and has provided a written narrative description of the methods and sources used to determine that alternatives are not available.
  • The application includes a complete description of the proposed use of the animals and procedures designed to assure that any discomfort is minimized to the full extent possible to that which is unavoidable for the conduct of scientifically valuable research. When appropriate, the project team, must include a provision for the use of drugs or other procedures to reduce discomfort and pain.
  • The investigator has planned for suitable monitoring of animals, reasonable interventions and the responsible euthanasia of any animals following AVMA recommendations under specific conditions.
  • Copies of any necessary permits are included with the protocol forms.
  • All personnel are appropriately trained and qualified to carry out project activities.

Forms and Resources

IACUC Contact

Allen Bedford, PhD
IACUC Institutional Official
Allen.Bedford@bemidjistate.edu