Proposed Student-Choice Resolution for Dissection

Whereas: There is no university policy requiring that instructors provide their students with and inform them of alternatives to dissection or vivisection;

Whereas: In the past ten years a wide array of humane, effective, and inexpensive alternative learning tools have been developed;

Whereas: In the past decade more than a dozen studies have been published in reputable scientific journals demonstrating that such alternatives are pedagogically equivalent or superior to dissection or vivisection;

Whereas: there is a growing number of students whose deeply held religious or ethical objections require them not to dissect or vivisect;

Whereas: the burden of approaching an instructor to challenge existing procedures and request alternative exercises can create a hostile learning environment for the student;

Be it therefore recommended: that high quality alternatives (e.g. anatomical models, interactive computer software, and videotapes) which are educationally comparable, meet the instructor's educational objectives, and commercially available, be made available in all classes which use dissection or vivisection of a nonhuman animal;

Be it therefore recommended: that the instructor shall provide an alternative to students upon request without requiring students to seek out alternatives on their own;

Be it therefore recommended: that opting for a non-animal alternative shall not require students to be present at class sessions in which animals are dissected or vivisected;

Be it therefore recommended: that the amount of time and effort required to complete the alternative assignment should be comparable to that required for the dissection or vivisection;

Be it therefore recommended: that testing and evaluation of students following the laboratory shall not include mandatory use of animals;

Be it therefore further recommended: that students be made aware by their professors or teaching assistants on the first day of class, one week before the laboratory in which the animal is used, and in the syllabus that they have the option of an alternative and that they will not be penalized for choosing the alternative;

Be it therefore further recommended: that students are responsible for requesting the alternative from their instructor no later than one week prior to the scheduled laboratory;

Be it therefore further recommended: that grades should not in any way be affected by the choice of an alternative assignment or shall any notations be made on the student's transcript to indicate that the course was completed using an alternative.