Aligning the Animal Care Program across One KU

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Dear KU Animal Researchers,

The One KU initiative strives to better align all KU campuses and position us to work more collaboratively in pursuing our mission of research, education and service. To facilitate this transformation for research administration across KU Lawrence and KU Medical Center, research leaders launched the One KU Research Administration Council and empowered its members to catalyze collaborative research administration excellence across the University of Kansas. The council encompasses all research administration activities across the KU Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses, including Animal Operations and IACUC functions.

One KU Animal Care Program update
Animal research includes two distinct components:

  • operations, the day-to-day care of animals in the program, and
  • oversight, which includes the IACUC overseeing ethical and compliant research with animals.

Under One KU, the Lawrence and medical center animal research operations programs will align as closely as possible to allow easier cross-campus collaboration, while remaining two separate programs for oversight and AAALAC accreditation. The animal research operations units from each campus will report together to the senior associate vice chancellor for research, further ensuring consistency.

Each campus will maintain a distinct IACUC to oversee its operations program. All IACUC policies and procedures will be aligned across campuses, and the administrative teams supporting the IACUCs will combine in a single department, further supporting a consistent, seamless experience for researchers.

Looking ahead
The One KU Animal Care Program’s harmonization is ongoing. As both IACUCs align and approve policies and procedures, we will provide regular email updates to ensure researchers remain aware of changes. In addition, the Lawrence campus IACUC intranet, and the medical center IACUC intranet are being updated to align and serve as sources for up-to-date information.

We appreciate your partnership during this transition. If you have questions, concerns or need assistance, please reach out to the contacts below. As our teams work together more seamlessly, know that you will receive One KU support and guidance, regardless of which campus address you connect with going forward.

KU Medical Center

KU Lawrence

Thank you,

Nathan Culley, DVM, DACLAM
Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs for Biological Sciences