The University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) proposes 11 individual projects to improve animal resources in three academic divisions: the School of Medicine (7), the College of Veterinary Medicine (3), and the Division of Biological Sciencies of the College of Arts and Science (1). In all three divisions, the improvements are necessary to meet faculty and student needs for animal resources, to ensure compliance with federal guidelines and regulations, and to promote physical and managerial centralization of animal facilities. The proposed improvements will assure continued AAALAC accreditation in the School of Medicine, allow achievement of accreditation in the Division of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science, and advance progress toward accreditation in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Improvements proposed were evaluated in the context of the Ten-Year Plan for Laboratory Animal Resources at UMC, which originated in 1981. The Plan incorporates consideration of animal resource physical plant, technical support, veterinary care and management, and coordinates development of all of these aspects of UMC animal resources. The proposed improvements have been reviewed by the divisional deans, the Director of the Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, the Vice Provost for Research, and the Provost and found to represent the greatest possible improvement in animal resources for the cost involved. Additional steps needed for the College of Veterinary Medicine to achieve accreditation are discussed. Animal resource units not included in this proposal are essentially accreditable with renovation and maintenance that can be accomplished internally.
