COMPLIANCE CHATTER

Spring Series

The Animals on Campus Policy provides a single resource for rules and guidance related to individuals bringing animals on University property, including service animals, emotional support animals, and pets.

With some exceptions outlined below, the policy prohibits all individuals from bringing animals into any controlled spaces on University property.

Controlled spaces are:

• All indoor areas owned or controlled by the University such as residence halls, classrooms, and offices; and
• Any outdoor area owned or controlled by the University with limitations on use or access like practice fields, stadiums, or tennis courts.

Areas open to the public with no limitations on access, such as streets, lawns, sidewalks, or parking lots, are not controlled spaces.

The University welcomes the presence of services animals and emotional support animals assisting people with disabilities on its campuses.

Service Animals

A service animal is any dog or miniature horse specifically trained to perform a task for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

Services animals are generally permitted to be on University property in any place where the animal’s handler is permitted to be.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

An approved ESA for an individual who lives in University housing is permitted within the individual’s assigned living accommodations. An ESA outside the private living accommodations must be in an animal carrier or on a leash. ESA’s are not allowed in any other controlled spaces without advance permission. ESA’s are permitted to be in outdoor public areas to the same extent as pets.

An ESA can be any kind of animal specifically approved by Human Resources or the Center for Students with Disabilities as an accommodation in the individual's living or working space. ESAs are not permitted in other controlled spaces on campus, though are able to access any public areas at will.

A handler is an individual with a disability who is the owner or user of a service animal or ESA, or the owner or individual bringing an animal onto University property.

A service animal, ESA, or pet must be supervised directly by the handler, and the handler must retain full control of the animal at all times while on University property. In addition, animals may not be left unattended at any time on University property, except for service animals left in the handler’s University residence or private office space.

All handlers are responsible for compliance with state and local laws concerning animals

Besides services animals and emotional support animals, there are additional exceptions to the policy, including but not limited to:

• Animals used in police, search and rescue operations on University property;
• Animals trained for and used in a clinical therapeutic setting on campus, such as a counseling center; and
• Appearances by the official mascot of the University and/or official mascots of other institutions as approved by event organizers

Any questions pertaining to this policy may be addressed to the Office of Institutional Equity.

Test your knowledge on the Animals on Campus Policy.

Review additional Compliance Clips and Chatters.