Don't go to Laurentian University...

...if you intend to work with animals:

The problems began for students on Wed., Nov. 9 when LU administration changed all the locks to the research facility where the behavioural neuroscience program operates, preventing them from accessing any of their animals...

..."Institutions meeting guidelines are given a Good Animal Practice Certificate," said De la Riva. "Institutions failing to comply with CCAC guidelines have this withdrawn and are also likely to lose funding. In 2004 LU's ACC was disbanded following a CCAC visit which placed their Good Animal Practice Certificate on probation. The university put an interim committee in place and eventually appointed a new one. It was this new committee which rejected or would not renew the animal use protocols without significant changes."

The conflict has reached fever pitch, with the students employing legal representation in order to gain access to the facility or gain compensation.

"I am, sort of, a member of the ACC, however I am excluded from participating in the discussions concerning the neuroscience research group's protocols because they deem me to be in conflict of interest," said graduate student Debra Meades. "They refused to let ongoing projects continue while all the details were ironed out. Obviously they do not care about research."

LU administration is unmoved by the students' plight. De la Riva highlighted their position in a press statement.

"Laurentian University is under no obligation to have an animal research facility," he said. "However, as long as it operates one, it will be administered in accordance with CCAC guidelines, as required by the relevant granting councils."

The students are currently pursuing an injunction to have the facility reopened.

You can find all the details at the link above, and some good discussion at Adventures in Ethics and Science.