Research conducted by students at The University of Mississippi is subject to the same policies and procedures as research conducted by faculty. University policy specifies that “any research involving animals must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.”

Approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) must be obtained before you begin any work with animals. The Principal Investigator (PI) for all protocol applications must be a faculty member. IACUC approval is mandated by federal law and by policy of The University of Mississippi.

1. Meet requirements prior to beginning work with laboratory animals.

• Obtain training in the care and use of laboratory animals.
  The first step in the IACUC approval process is to obtain the required training in the care and use of laboratory animals. All faculty, students and staff who will have contact with laboratory animals and who are listed in the Animal Study Protocol Application form must complete species-specific and Health and Safety training. Contact: IACUC Research Compliance Specialist (915-7482 or irb@research.olemiss.edu) to obtain information regarding species-specific training; Health and Safety Department (915-5433) to arrange health and safety training.

• Read “Asthma and Allergy in Animal Handlers” and other related information.
  All faculty, students and staff who will have contact with laboratory animals as part of a study must read the asthma and allergy materials prior to completing the OHSP Risk Inventory form. These materials will inform you of the potential risk for adverse reactions involved in handling laboratory animals and are posted at http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/research/compliance/compliance_forms.html#iacuc.

• Submit health forms for review and recommendations by the Occupational Health Physician.
  All faculty, students and staff who will have contact with laboratory animals as part of a study must submit the Occupational Health Evaluation and OHSP Risk Inventory forms to the University Veterinarian at B104 NCNPR or drop them off at the IACUC Office at 100 Barr Hall. These forms are posted at http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/research/compliance/compliance_forms.html#iacuc.

• Obtain a tetanus vaccine.
  The Centers for Disease Control recommend tetanus vaccinations every 10 years, and the IACUC strongly urges personnel to get this free vaccination. (The ORSP Division of Research Integrity and Compliance will pay the fee.)

2. Complete and submit the Animal Study Protocol Application form.
Faculty submit an Animal Study Protocol Application form electronically at irb@research.olemiss.edu and either fax the signature sheet to ext. 7577 or deliver one signed copy to the IACUC office, 100 Barr Hall. No research may begin until written final approval is received and all named personnel complete requirements to work with animals.

3. IACUC review can take up to four weeks.
Plan accordingly. Often, the IACUC requests modifications to a study in order to clarify the documents, to ensure compliance with the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training and with prevailing laws and regulations. First and foremost, the IACUC wants to assure (a) the humane care and use of research animals for research, training, and teaching purposes; and (b) that all federal, state, and local laws and University policies are being observed.

Contact: Virginia D. Cantú, IACUC Research Compliance Specialist, at 915-5006. For further information, please refer to our website at http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/research/compliance/animal/index.html.