Which of the following is NOT a required element of the semi-annual report according to AWAR?

The semi-annual report required by the Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR) includes several specified elements that provide a comprehensive assessment of an institution's animal care and use program. While all elements in the report serve important functions, program effectiveness evaluations are not explicitly mandated as a required component by the AWAR.

The required elements include items such as facility adherence to AWAR, which allows the IACUC to confirm compliance with federal standards, identification of departures from the approved protocols, which ensures that any significant deviations that may affect animal welfare or research outcomes are documented and assessed. Inclusion of any minority views presents an opportunity for transparency and diverse perspectives within the IACUC's evaluations, highlighting potential disagreements or differing opinions regarding animal care practices or the assessment of the program's performance.

In contrast, while program effectiveness evaluations may be beneficial for internal program improvement, they are not stipulated as a necessary part of the semi-annual report under AWAR guidelines. Thus, this understanding underscores why program effectiveness evaluations are the correct choice for an element that is not required.