Planning for Extended Absence from Campus

Policy

The Principal Investigator (PI) must notify the Office of Animal Research Compliance if they plan to leave the University or will be away from campus for an extended period (e.g., while on sabbatical, taking family leave, etc.).

Background

The PI has the ultimate responsibility and authority for the research or teaching activities being conducted on an animal use protocol and for the staff and students participating in the work, regardless of the physical location of the PI and any delegation of responsibilities to other protocol participants.

The PI must inform the IACUC of any absence that will significantly impact the PI’s ability to exercise their responsibilities and oversight. The IACUC recognizes that some cases of absence can be managed in a manner that does not impair the PI’s level of oversight, while in some cases the absence precludes an adequate level of involvement.

Procedure

To inform the IACUC of the PI’s absence from campus and their level of continued involvement, the PI should complete the PI Extended Absence Planning Form and submit it to iacuc@illinois.edu at least 3 months in advance of a planned absence of 3 months or more, or as soon as possible in the event of an unplanned extended absence.