I. General (Standard Operating Policy)

1. Animal Care and Use Policy
   
   The Animal Care and Use Policy (hereinafter referred to as “University Policy”) was approved by the University’s Board of Governors on January 24, 2005. Changes to the University Policy require approval of the Board or its designee. The purpose of the University Policy and these Procedures is to cause the University’s use of animals in its educational and research facilities to be fully compliant with applicable law and regulations, in both letter and spirit, as opposed to other purposes such as recommending to the President or the Board policy revisions or expenditure of funds.
   
   
2. Implementation of the University Policy
   
   The Standard Operating Procedures (hereinafter referred to as “SOP”) described herein are approved by the President to enable implementation of the University Policy. Approval of changes in the SOP must be approved by the Institutional Official.
   
   
3. Institutional Official
   
   The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs / Dean of the Graduate College is appointed by the President as having University system-wide responsibility for oversight and assuring compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and the implementing regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS).
   
   
4. Covered Personnel
   
   The University Policy is applicable to all faculty, staff, students, visiting researchers and educators, and bona fide volunteers at Southwest Missouri State University that will be involved with vertebrate animal care and use, or intended use in research, research training, experimentation, or biological testing or for other related purpose as well as to the University’s faculty, staff and students conducting educational and research projects involving animal care and use at off-campus locations, or as otherwise required by law. Involvement in vertebrate animal care and use includes those persons who handle or are exposed to animal tissues, fluids, secretions, and/or excretions, as well as those who handle cages and other equipment contaminated with animal tissues. Persons involved in care and use of vertebrate animals who are not covered by the Policy include:
5. 1. Students whose only involvement with animals is in formal academic courses or other educational programs; and
      
   2. Persons involved in care and use of horses not used for research purposes, and farm animals used or intended for use as food or fiber unless included under Public Health Service funding requirements.
   3. Faculty, staff and students whose only involvement is in recreational, judging and sporting use of livestock and poultry.
      
      
6. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
   
   The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has the authority to develop and implement the SOP to assure humane care and use of animals and compliance with the University Policy and applicable law.