University of Wisconsin-Madison

Policy Number: 2003-024 [PDF]

Dual School Protocol Review

Purpose: At U.W.-Madison protocols can be assigned 'dual school status'. This occurs when PIs have animal housing within two or more schools or they have housing outside of their department. This policy details the method of determination of dual school along with committee review options.

Policy: RARC assigns protocols to ACUC's for review based on housing. For protocols where animals are housed in facilities under the control of two (2) or more college/schools the protocol will be assigned to a primary ACUC and a secondary ACUC. The following will determine primary/secondary ACUC status:

1. If there is a clear majority of the animals housed in a college/school, that college/school ACUC will be primary, with the other being secondary.
2. When there is not a clear majority of the animals housed in a college/school and one of the housing facilities is under the control of the college/school where the PI's home department resides, that college/school is primary.
3. When there is not a clear majority of the animals housed in a college/school and none of the housing facilities are under the control of the college/school where the PI's home department resides, primary status will be assignment based on a priority listing of species and where the species is housed. If the same priority species are housed in two locations under the control of two college/schools then the higher number of that species will determine primary. If the numbers are equal, flip a coin. In addition, under this scenario, the college/school ACUC where the PI's home department resides automatically becomes an additional secondary committee.

Species Priority:

• Dog and/or Cat
• Non-human Primate
• Agricultural animals - cow, pig, horse, sheep, goat
• Wildlife species
• Rabbits
• Hamster, ferret, or guinea pig
• Chickens
• Rat or mouse
• Amphibians, reptiles, or fish

Committee Responsibility:

1. The Primary ACUC will be responsible for review and approval of the protocol. Such review/approval will include any input from the secondary ACUC(s). The Primary is also the responsible ACUC for amendments and annual reviews, again including any secondary ACUC input provided.
2. Secondary ACUC(s) chair and attending veterinarian will receive a copy of the dual school protocol, including amendments and annual reviews, immediately after RARC processing. At the discretion of either they may:
   1. Waive review/approval to the primary ACUC, OR
   2. Provide written (email) review input to be included in the primary ACUC review, OR
   3. Call for full committee review by the secondary ACUC.

Such Secondary ACUC chair/vet review action shall take place at a certain date (e.g. 10 days before the meeting). Full ACUC review by the secondary ACUC shall be totally separate of the primary ACUC and the protocol shall not be considered approved until both committees have completed the approval.

Prepared by: S. Boehm, H. McEntee, R. Lane