Facilities Archives

Jul 28 2023

All the Bright Moves: Minimizing Light Cycle Disruptions in Animal Housing Rooms

Maintaining spaces where environmental variables are minimized to the greatest extent possible plays a critical role in safeguarding animal welfare and ensuring research integrity. Any changes to light intensity, quality, or duration – disruptions that may seem small and insignificant to us – can have a substantial impact on animal health. Although many species can ...

Lightbulb icon crossed out with red circle

Jul 24 2023

Facilities Federal Regulations & Standards Husbandry

Reminders for Laboratories Using USDA-Regulated Species

The Animal Care & Use (ACU) Program is committed to providing the U-M research community with the tools and resources necessary for safeguarding animal welfare and assuring programmatic compliance. To that end, we have several important reminders for laboratories using USDA-regulated species (e.g., all live or dead warm-blooded animals except rats of the genus Rattus ...

Jul 19 2023

Facilities IACUC

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspections Begin Tuesday, August 1

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will begin its next round of semi-annual facility inspections on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Inspections will run through September and include any animal rooms, surgical suite support spaces, and areas where procedures are conducted with animals. Fall 2023 Facility Inspection Schedule View the complete Fall 2023 Institutional ...

Jun 27 2023

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2023 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. These inspections are one of the most important tools we have for routinely assessing programmatic strengths and identifying areas for individual and collective improvement(s) in service to the animals entrusted to our care. Through this lens of ...

Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Winter 2023 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Jun 21 2023

Facilities Safety

The Do’s and Don’ts of Proper Personal Attire in the Laboratory

Reviewing the basics of proper personal attire in the laboratory with your staff – including students – is critical for maintaining a safe and secure research environment for all personnel, as well as the animals entrusted to our care. REGARDLESS of outdoor weather conditions, please remember that personal attire worn in the laboratory and/or animal care ...

Infographic showing proper personal attire for the laboratory

Jun 08 2023

AAALAC Facilities Safety

AAALAC Site Visit Begins Tuesday, June 13

Beginning this Tuesday, June 13, and running through Friday, June 16, U-M will be hosting site visitors from AAALAC International (AAALAC) for the university’s re-accreditation site visit. During this time, you should anticipate a visit to all animal housing locations on campus, as well as visits to many laboratories. Please review the complete Site Visit Schedule ...

May 22 2023

Facilities Safety

EHS Implements New Repeat Deficiencies Process

In an effort to strengthen research and academic safety across the University of Michigan, beginning this month, laboratory inspection reports generated by the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) will now identify repeat deficiencies. A “repeat deficiency” is defined as a deficiency that is cited in two consecutive laboratory inspections. As EHS works diligently ...

Maize text on blue background: EHS Inspection Update on Repeat Deficiencies

May 18 2023

AAALAC Drugs Facilities Safety

AAALAC 2023 Site Visit Schedule, Additional Preparation Resources Now Available

As a reminder, Site Visitors from AAALAC International (AAALAC) will be on campus for the U-M’s re-accreditation visit beginning Tuesday, June 13 through Friday, June 16, 2023. During this time, you should anticipate a visit to all animal housing locations as well as visits to many laboratories. To help you feel confidently prepared to host ...

Apr 12 2023

Facilities Forms Husbandry ULAM

ULAM Containment Housing Request Form Moving to eRAM

In an effort to reduce Study Team burden and eliminate redundancies in our processes, the Containment Housing Request Form managed by the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) will be moved to eRAM beginning Monday, April 17, 2023. Study Teams will notice several changes as a result of this transition: The following processes and procedures will ...

Coming soon banner over Containment Housing Form icon

Apr 07 2023

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP

Hazardous Substance Administration SOP Recently Updated

To ensure that all members of the U-M animal care and use community have the tools and resources necessary to comply with best practice standards in animal care and laboratory safety, the Animals Administered a Hazardous Substance Requiring Containment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been updated. Key SOP changes are summarized below and will be highlighted on posters ...

Button listing expected May 2023 adherence date for new Hazardous Agents Administration SOP procedures

Apr 03 2023

Facilities Husbandry ULAM

ULAM Operations Update: Contacting Your Animal Care Team

Like many organizations throughout U-M and around the world, the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) is struggling with staffing shortages, especially in the husbandry and veterinary technician divisions. Use the following to determine the best way to contact your animal care team during this unusually busy time: With Routine Questions That Do NOT Require ...

Feb 01 2023