IACUC Policy 360 - Activities Exempt of Animal Use Protocols

Effective Date: September 16, 2026 (revised version; originally adopted on September 20, 2023)

I. Policy Purpose

The SIUC IACUC is responsible for reviewing the use of live vertebrate and cephalopod animals used in SIUC research, teaching, and/or testing activities. This policy defines which activities may qualify for an exempt determination. This policy also clarifies the need to apply for the memo of exemption prior to the start of activities involving animals.

II. Policy Definitions

Researchers: volunteers and/or students approved to complete research in the designated protocol.

Field study: observation and collection of data without any impact on an animal.

Field research: observation and data collection that requires capture, holding, sedation, redirection, behavior modification and/or may induce harm.

Excessive disturbance: visits to nests and breeding areas, close approach to animals during critical periods of their life cycle, experimental techniques that elicit engagement.

III. Policy Statement

Research, teaching, and/or testing activities at SIUC involving live vertebrates or cephalopods require the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). As recommended by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8^th edition), studies with the potential to impact the health and safety of personnel or the animal’s environment may need IACUC oversight, even if described as purely observational or behavioral.

Some studies may be exempt from the normally required animal use protocol and IACUC approval if they meet specific requirements. The Graduate School as well as journal editors may request evidence of an IACUC determination stating that the activities are exempt. An IACUC approval or an exempt determination must be issued prior to beginning work, the IACUC cannot provide a post hoc approval or exempt determination letter.

IV. General Procedre

Research and/or teaching field studies are exempted from filing an animal care and use protocol and obtaining IACUC approval provided that the field studies are only observational in nature and meet the following three criteria:

-do not materially alter the behavior and/or environment of the animals under study;

-do not involve capturing/trapping, physical/chemical restraint, and/or invasive procedure, and

-do not cause excessive site disturbance due to study activities.

Should investigators and instructors require a letter of exemption, they should request a determination from the IACUC before the activities start. To obtain a letter of exemption, PIs must complete the protocol determination request form and submit it to iacuc@siu.edu for review. The determination request form provides the IACUC with the following information:

• The PI’s name, office address, department, phone number and email address
• In a language understandable to a layperson and without technical details, a summary describing the aim of the study and its importance to human or animal health, the advancement of knowledge, the good of society or educational benef The description must demonstrate that the criteria for exemption from the IACUC approval have been met.
• Include permit number of any Federal or State scientific permits, if any.

Determination requests will be evaluated by the IACUC Administrative Office and the IACUC as appropriate.

V. References

National Research Council (2011). The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th ed.). National Academies Press. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture, 9 C.F.R §1. (2023). Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-I/subchapter-A