One of the IACUC’s principal roles is to ensure that animals used in research, testing, and teaching are used humanely by trained staff. In order to establish an animal care and use program that provides lab animals these protections, the IACUC carries out the following duties:

• Conduct Semiannual Program Reviews - Review, at least once every 6 months, UM’s program for animal care and use, using the AWAR and the Guide as a basis for evaluation.
• Conduct Semiannual Inspections - Inspect, at least once every 6 months, all of UM’s animal facilities, including animal study areas and satellite facilities, using the AWAR and the Guide as a basis for evaluation.
• Submit Semiannual Reports to the IO - Submit reports of the above evaluations which distinguish significant deficiencies from minor deficiencies, contain a reasonable and specific plan and schedule for correcting each deficiency, describe and justify any departures from the Guide, PHS Policy, which are signed by a majority of the committee and include any minority views.
• Review and Investigate Complaints About the Program – Review and investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals at UM resulting from public complaints or from report of noncompliance received from personnel at UM.
• Make Recommendations to the IO – Make recommendations to the IO regarding any aspect of UM’s animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
• Conduct Protocol Reviews - Review (designated or full-committee) and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed activities related to the care and use of animals.
• Conduct Full-Committee Reviews of SOPs – Review, require modifications in (to secure approval) and approve a written description of the accepted method of some task or operation, i.e. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), regarding the care and use of animals in ongoing activities.
• Conduct Reviews of Modifications to Approved Protocols - Review (designated or full-committee) and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed changes regarding the care and use of animals in ongoing activities.
• Investigate Reports of Noncompliance – Investigate reports of noncompliance and, if warranted, suspend an activity involving animals if it does not comply with the AWAR, the Guide, PHS Policy, or UM’s Animal Welfare Assurance approved by NIH/OLAW.
• Suspend An Activity Involving Animals – The IACUC is authorized to suspend an activity involving animals if it determines that the activity is not being conducted in accordance with the description provided by the investigator and approved by the IACUC, i.e., an activity that is not being conducted in accordance with applicable provision of the AWA, the Guide, the UM Assurance, or PHS Policy IV.C.6).
• Attend IACUC Meetings – Members attend monthly or called meetings to conduct IACUC business.
• Complete Mandatory Training – Members must complete and pass the AALAS Learning Library “Essentials for IACUC Members” online course.

Source: Institution Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook (2nd ed.). (2002). (Pgs. 17-18). Bethesda, MD: NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.