Title: Animals on Campus
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Effective Date: 07/01/2015
Responsible Official:
Responsible University Office: Office of Equity, Human Resources, and Public Safety,
Revision History:
Related Legislation and University Policies: Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 504"); the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA); ;
Review Period: 5 years
Date of Last Review:
Relates to: faculty, executive staff, senior staff, staff, and student employees
Animals (dogs, cats, birds, other pets etc.) are not permitted inside any University-controlled building except for those animals that are specifically exempted by this policy. Specifically, animals are prohibited from being in offices, classrooms, hallways, and all other areas in any academic or administrative building. Private residences are excluded from this policy.
Domesticated pets are permitted outside on campus grounds when leashed and properly attended at all times. In addition, dogs are permitted on the university’s Squire Valleevue Farm grounds; however, they must be leashed and attended at all times. The university reserves the right to require the individual with a leashed domesticated pet to present documentation from a veterinarian that the pet is in good health, has appropriate shots, and is in compliance with all applicable state and local health laws, especially in the case of a medical emergency related to the animal such as an animal bite. The individual may be asked to present updated documentation annually.
Students residing in residence halls should refer to the Housing and Residence Life Policies and Procedures concerning pets in residence halls.
Exempted Animals
The following animals are permitted on University-controlled property:
- Service animals while performing duties
- Research and teaching animals
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted on University-controlled property and in University buildings while they are performing tasks for the individual they accompany.
A service animal is an animal specially trained to perform one or more specific functions or activities of daily living for an individual with a documented disability. Service animals include guide dogs for those with visual or hearing impairments, or service dogs to perform tasks for the mobility-impaired (i.e. pulling a wheelchair, fetching dropped items).
Any animal being used as a service animal inside any university-controlled building should wear a harness or other identifying device to identify it as a service animal.
In order for the Office of Equity to help facilitate the use of a service animal on campus, employees using service animals inside any University-controlled building must notify in advance the Office of Equity of the need to use a service animal during employment. For Disability Resources to help facilitate the use of a service animal on campus, students using service animals inside any University-controlled building must notify in advance Disability Resources of the need to use a service animal.
The university reserves the right to require the individual to present documentation from a veterinarian that the service animal is in good health and has appropriate shots and is in compliance with all applicable state and local health laws, especially when (1) the service animal will reside on campus in a residence hall, (2) will be present on a regular basis in a classroom or employment setting on campus, or (3) in the case of a medical emergency related to the animal such as an animal bite. The individual may be asked to present updated documentation annually. The University reserves the right to request documentation that the animal has been trained to act as a service animal.
Service animals may enter any building or classroom with the person they accompany. The individual with the service animal takes full responsibility for the needs and behavior of the animal. Animal waste must be picked up and disposed of properly.
The Office of Equity will investigate any complaint that a service animal is disruptive or threatening. If it is determined that the animal is disruptive or threatening and acting outside the appropriate scope of its duties as a service animal, the individual will be instructed to remove the animal until the individual produces appropriate documentation indicating that sufficient training has taken place to bring the animal under control.
Any employee or visitor wishing to utilize a service animal may request a modification to this provision on service animals as necessary and as a reasonable accommodation for that individual by presenting the request to the Office of Equity.
Any student wishing to utilize a service animal may request a modification to this provision on service animals as necessary and as a reasonable accommodation for that individual by presenting the request to Disability Resources. As part of the interactive process with the student, these offices will consult with the Office of Campus Planning & Operations and other appropriate university offices to determine the appropriate modification, if any, to the provision on service animals for that individual.
Research and teaching animals
Animals that are officially part of the university’s teaching, research or clinical programs are exempt from this policy.
Reporting
To report a problem with an animal on campus, such as unattended animal, contact the Public Safety at 216-368-3333.
Failure to Comply
Failure to comply with this policy will result in removal of the animal from campus and may result in disciplinary action against the owner or keeper of the pet.