Emotional Support and Service Animals in University Housing

1. Emotional Support and Service Animals in University Housing Jennifer Cobb, Director, Enterprise Risk Management Jonathan Lucia, Director of Residence Life Joy Norman, Director of Disability Services

2. Definitions • Pets-animals living with owners for purposes of love, affection, and company • Service Animals-animal individually trained to perform specific task or function related to physical, intellectual, or mental disability • Emotional Support Animals-provide therapeutic benefit to person with mental or psychiatric disability

3. Definitions *Request may be denied if: Animal poses health/safety threat Property Damage is inevitable Poses undue financial/administrative burden Alters nature of housing operations

4. What Has Changed? • Guidance from HUD (April 25, 2013) • FHA applies to University owned housing • University of Nebraska Kearney Case • FHA applies to University owned housing • U.S. District Court of Nebraska • Partial summary judgment against U. of Nebraska • Will likely be appealed to U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

5. Documentation • Service Animals (two question rule) • Is the animal required because of a disability • What work or tasks has the animal been trained to do? • Emotional Support Animal • Letter from health professional • Identify how animal alleviates or reduces symptoms of mental/psychiatric illness

6. Emotional Support AnimalBenchmarking • Discussed at system wide disability services, housing, and student affairs meetings • No specific guidance issued from BOR • Young Harris College and Georgia College have accommodated emotional comfort animals • Incoming student inquired at last orientation

7. CSU Policy • Policy based on review of multiple policies at institutions across the country • Student makes request through Disability Services Office • Approved student meets with Director of Residence Life to review standards • Vaccination and registration records housed in Residence Life office

8. Questions