Animals on Campus

2.14 | Animals on Campus

2.14.A | Animals will not be allowed to run at large on campus and must be leashed at all times, unless the individual's disability prevents the use of these devices, or the use of these devices interferes with the service animals' ability to perform safe or effective work/task(s). Animals shall not be left unattended, or secured to university property.

2.14.B | Students are not allowed to engage with wild animals while on university property. Wild animals may include but are not limited to: squirrels, feral cats, skunks, geese, pigeons, etc. Violations include but are not limited to: feeding, attempting to capture, harm, or engaging with undomesticated animals on university property will be subject to disciplinary action.

2.14.C | Animal Cruelty: Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly torturing or in a cruel manner killing or causing serious bodily injury to an animal, failing to provide necessary food, water or care for an animal in the person's custody, abandoning unreasonably an animal in the person's custody, transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner, causing bodily injury to any animal without the owner's consent, causing one animal to fight with another animal, or seriously overworking an animal. Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly attacking, injuring or killing an assistance animal or inciting another to attack, injury, or kill an assistance animal.

1. This policy is not intended to prohibit:
   1. Killing or injuring an animal within the scope of a person's employment or furthering the goal of legitimate educational curriculum as designed and approved by the University.
   2. Killing or injuring an animal when the actor had a reasonable fear of bodily injury to self or another person by that animal.

2.14.D | Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): An ESA is an animal that provides therapy, comfort, and/or companionship. Emotional support animals are not considered Service Animals under ADA, and are not allowed in areas that are open to the general public, or attending student's classes. ESA's can be approved through the Office of Student Accessibility, but must be approved prior to the animal coming to campus.

1. ESAs in University Housing: In compliance with federal and state law regarding provision of reasonable accommodations for students who have a documented disability with the Office of Student Accessibility, students can apply to have an Emotional Support Animal on campus. Students are prohibited from bringing animals on campus prior to being formally notified by the University of their approval status.
   1. ESA Application Process: In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations for students who have a documented disability, the Office of Student Accessibility offers an Emotional Support Animal Application for students residing in on campus housing. Students are encouraged to visit the Office of Student Accessibility to begin this process.
   2. ESA Approval Status: After receiving final confirmation from the Office of Student Accessibility approving your ESA to be housed in your assigned Residence Hall room, you can bring your animal to campus. Any animal, regardless of purpose, service or emotional support, may not cause a disruption to the campus community.
      1. Disruption: ESAs that cause significant disruption to the community, damage to university property, or have been documented for consistent issues seen over an extended amount of time, will be subject to documentation through Student Conduct. Students found Responsible for one or more violations as a result of the actions of their ESA may be subject to revocation of their approval status by the Office of Student Accessibility.
      2. Ownership: ESAs are allowed within the approved students assigned rooms, common area of the students assigned hall, and the routes of entry or exit through the assigned hall. ESAs are prohibited from all other rooms, halls, or campus buildings. Owners must adhere to the residence hall expectations and should be aware of the list of prohibited items, which can be found int he Residential Living section of this Handbook. Students must leash their animal at all times, crate the animal during extended leaves, and is responsible for all loss, damage, injury, or violation as a result of the action of the animal. Owners found Responsible for violations associated with their ESA are subject to revocation of their approval status from the Office of Student Accessibility, and will be asked to remove the animal.

2.14.E | Service Animals: A Service Animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog that is individually trained to do work, or perform tasks, for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other psychological disabilities. Service animals, with limited exception, are allowed in public places, due to the owner's need for the animal at all times. Students who intend on bringing their Service Animal to campus, or to live with them in the Residence Halls, must go through the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) to complete an application for this accommodation.

2.14.F | Approved Animals on Campus: Students who apply through the Office of Student Accessibility for a Service Animal or ESA to reside with them in the Residence Halls, must obtain approval from the Director of OSA prior to the animal coming to campus. The approval status of a student to have an ESA or Service Animal is reliant upon both animal and handler behavior, see Handler's Responsibilities for more information.

2.14.G | Handler's Responsibilities: An approved ESA or Service Animal has one handler, the student who applied for the accommodation. That is the only person authorized to handle the animal. If a Service Animal or ESA is found to be disruptive or violating any of the rules surrounding approval status, the student will be documented through Student Conduct, which may result in the approval status being revoked. Handler responsibilities and expectations include, but are not limited to:

1. The approved animal must be under the control of its handler at all times.
2. The approved animal must be leashed at all times, unless the individual's disability prevents the use of these devices, or the use of these devices interferes with the service animals' ability to perform safe or effective work/task(s). In this case, the handler must maintain control fo the approved animal through voice, signal, or other effective measures.
3. The handler is responsible for the overall supervision and care of the approved animal. This includes, but is not limited to: feeding, grooming, and veterinary care.
4. Disruptive beahvior from an approved animal includes, but is not limited to, uncontrollable barking, approaching or jumping on people, or trying to get away from the handler.