Pets and Animals on Campus Policy

Policy Statement

All animals and pets, other than service animals and those used for research and instructional purposes, are strictly prohibited from the University’s internal building areas including, but not restricted to, classrooms, office buildings and offices, corridors, laboratories, residence halls etc.

Animals and pets on other permissible areas of the campus must be under the direct control of the owner(s).  All dogs must be maintained on a leash at all times.

Purpose/Scope

There is no purpose/scope provided for this policy at this time

Applicability

There is no applicability provided for this policy at this time

Definitions

A service animal (as defined by ADA) is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or sounds, providing animal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

A pet is a domestic animal kept for pleasure or companionship and is not considered a service animal under this legislation or any other disability law.

Policy Procedures

Use of Service Animals

A service animal is allowed to live and work on the University’s campus if the following definition and responsibilities are met:

1. Designation as a service animal as defined by the ADA.

2. To work on campus, a service animal must be specifically trained to perform a service function that the individual cannot perform for him or herself. If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal even if it has not been licensed or certified by a state or local government, or by a private agency.

Responsibilities of Persons Using Service Animals:

1. The care and supervision of a service animal is the responsibility of the person (owner) using the animal’s services.

2. The owner must be in full control of the animal at all times.

3. The owner is responsible for the cost of repair for any damage caused by the service animal to university property including any expenses incurred due to the need for commercial pest control.

4. The clean up of animal defecates on campus is the responsibility of the owner. Individuals with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their service animal must arrange for proper clean up by a capable and responsible person.

5. All requirements for the presence of animals in public places (vaccinations, licensure, ID tags, etc.) mandated by state or local ordinance must be followed. The owner must ensure that the animal is in good health. Animals to be housed in university residence halls or who will be regularly employed by an individual on campus must have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian. Special care should be taken to control fleas in order to protect the health of others on campus. The university has the continuing authority to direct that a service animal receive veterinary attention.

Notification of Housing

If a student employing a service animal plans to live on campus, they must notify the Director of Residential Life/ Learning Communities by the following dates in order to secure appropriate housing:

June 1 – For Fall Semester

OR

November 1 – For Spring Semester

(Note- spring housing is not as flexible / based on the availability of rooms).

Residential Life/ Learning Communities will consult with the Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services in processing such requests.

Areas Restricted to Service Animals

The university may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health or safety restrictions, where service animals may be in danger, or where their use may compromise the integrity of a program or research. Such restricted areas include, but are not limited to, food preparation areas, certain research laboratories, mechanical rooms or custodial closets, classrooms with research animals, and areas where protective clothing is necessary. Access to restricted areas may be granted on a case-by-case basis by contacting the appropriate department representative and the ADA or Section 504 officer on campus.

Removal of Service Animals

The university has the authority to request the removal of a service animal from its grounds or facilities if the animal becomes unruly or disruptive, unclean, and/or unhealthy to the extent that the animal’s behavior or condition poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or otherwise causes a fundamental alteration in the university’s services, programs, or activities. If the behavior or condition persists, the owner may be directed not to bring the animal into public campus areas until steps are taken to mitigate the situation. Such interventions may include the muzzling of a barking dog or refresher training for the animal and the owner.

Community Treatment of Service Animals

Members of the university community shall:

(a) Allow a service animal to accompany the person with a disability at all times and everywhere on campus except where service animals are specifically prohibited;

(b) Not touch or feed a service animal unless invited to do so;

(c) Not deliberately startle a service animal and;

(d) Not separate or attempt to separate a service animal from its owner.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

There are no links for this policy at this time.

Contact Information

There is no contact information for this policy at this time.

History (in descending order)

Approval

There are no approvals for this policy at this time.