Can both a member and their alternate contribute to a quorum simultaneously?

In the context of IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) operations, a quorum is defined as the minimum number of members required to be present for the committee to conduct business and make decisions. A key principle underlying quorum is that it should reflect the active participation of appointed members.

When it comes to a member and their alternate, they cannot both contribute to a quorum at the same time. The role of the alternate is to step in for the primary member when they are unable to attend. Allowing both to count towards the quorum at the same time would undermine the integrity of representation and could lead to potential conflicts or confusion in decision-making.

To maintain clarity and ensure that decisions reflect the input of a distinct set of appointed members, only the primary or the alternate member can be acknowledged in an official capacity during a meeting. Therefore, having both present would not meet the established criteria for a valid quorum according to organizational regulations and practices governing IACUC operations.