Chair
Designated by the President on recommendation from the Executive Vice President for Research and from the membership.
Membership
Federal regulations require a committee of no fewer than five members which shall include at least the following.
One Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program responsibility for activities involving animals at the institution.
One practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals.
One individual whose primary concerns are in a non-scientific area.
One individual not affiliated with the institution in any way other than as a member of the Committee and not a member of the immediate family of a person affiliated with the institution.
Representation from the schools is as follows, and these individuals may serve as school representatives, as well as fulfill above requirements.
15 faculty members from the Medical School
2 faculty members from the Dental Branch
1 faculty member from the School of Public Health
Other members as required by institutional needs
Ex Officio Membership (with vote)
Director of UT-Houston's Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care
All veterinarians serving in the UT-Houston Vivaria
Ex Officio Membership (without vote)
Legal Affairs and Risk Management Designee
Vice President for Public Affairs (or designee)
Executive Vice President for Research
Director, Environmental Health & Safety (or designee)
Term of Membership
Staggered three-year terms with one term expiring each year.
Charge
To review all research, research training, experimentation, and biological testing activities conducted by Health Science Center personnel or by others at the Health Science Center involving live, vertebrate animals using the Animal Welfare Act and other federal, state, and local statutes and regulations as a guide, prior to implementation of the activity.
To inspect the Health Science Center's program for the humane care and use of animals and the animal care facilities twice a year and report to the President of the Health Science Center at Houston and to the Dean of the Medical School and Dental Branch.
To review the security measures and procedures for the Vivarium and recommend any additional steps that may need to be taken.
To develop plans for proper procedures for researchers and teachers to follow when using animals in experiments.
The Committee reports to the Executive Vice President for Research.
