Are alternate members allowed to attend IACUC meetings when their regular counterparts are present?

Alternate members of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) play a crucial role in ensuring the committee can continue its work effectively. When the regular members are present, alternate members are indeed allowed to attend meetings. However, their participation is limited in terms of decision-making; they cannot vote unless they are officially serving in place of a regular member during that specific meeting.

This structure is significant because it allows the alternate members to remain informed about the discussions and decisions of the committee without influencing the voting process when regular members are available. This ensures that any voting reflects the input and perspective of the regular members, while also maintaining continuity and preparedness for situations when a regular member might be absent. Understanding this aspect of IACUC protocol helps to uphold the integrity of the review process while also fostering a culture of inclusivity and communication among committee members.