Please read the following 3 important items and share with people within your lab. Thank you - Karen Janes
ANIMAL TRAINING AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
As previously announced, starting with the March meeting of the Animal Care and Facilities Committee, it is necessary for principal investigators to have completed BOTH the animal training AND occupational health requirement before the notice of approval can be issued. Please check the ORSP website http://orsp.rutgers.edu/animals/default.php for the most recent dates. Others involved in the project must complete the training and occupational health requirement before they participate in the project. Forms are automatically computer generated by Thao Williams from my office, prior to the expiration date. It is very important that all try to follow the policy so that it does not interfere in your important work. I will be sending you the Occupational Health APPROVAL and EXPIRATION dates for all people listed on your protocols later this week.
REVIEW YOUR PROTOCOLS TO SEE IF AN AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY
It is important to review your protocols with others within your lab, so they are familiar with the types of APPROVED procedures. It is a violation of the Public Health Policy for the Use and Care of Animals and University Policy to do any work which is not approved. Not only does a situation of non compliance jeopardize your own research, but that of all of your fellow researchers at the University. The next deadline for submission of a protocol, continuing review or amendment is April 10. I
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Most of the people who use controlled substances in research are animal users. Below is a letter from Dr. Mike Breton which was sent to the faculty concerning completing information regarding the use of controlled substances. Many have responded ---- but not all. Please complete the form mentioned in the letter below asap. It is important that we have a complete data base to be in compliance with AAALAC. Thank you for your assistance.
To: Faculty
cc: Deans, Directors and Chairs
From: Michael E. Breton, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research
Re: Use of Controlled Substances in Research
Adequate oversight of controlled substances in research is one of the essential institutional responsibilities mandated by federal law. It is our goal to protect institutional interests and to remind individuals of their responsibilities under federal law and university policy when working with controlled substances. Recently, following an accreditation site visit, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-International (AAALAC) reminded us of our obligations in this area. As a first step in fulfilling this responsibility, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is compiling a database regarding the use of controlled substances in research at Rutgers. The brief questionnaire, which can be found at <http://orsp.rutgers.edu/cs>, will help us accomplish this task. Periodically the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Consumer Affairs and Rutgers Internal Auditing have visited laboratories at Rutgers and have noted certain deficiencies. To help cure these deficiencies, we anticipate being able to provide further guidance to faculty concerning proper storage and record keeping. It is essential for all individuals who use controlled substances in research to complete the online questionnaire by January 30, 2003. This is necessary whether or not they are using the controlled substances under their own or someone else's permit. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Janes, Associate Director for Research Integrity and
Compliance, at 732-932-0150 ext. 2105 or <mailto:controlledsubstances@orsp.rutgers.edu>. Thank you for your cooperation.