Accommodations in College Housing

In reviewing requests for accommodation animals, the College consults as necessary with a wide variety of appropriate experts. Any resident wanting an accommodation animal to live in College Housing must prepare a written Request for Exception, which typically includes:

• A letter, written by the person requesting an accommodation animal, with an explanation of the disability-related need for the animal, the types of tasks, if any; the animal is trained to perform, as well as a description of the animal, including type and the animal’s name. If the resident’s disability is not readily apparent, the College requires appropriate medical documentation verifying the resident’s disability.

A service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must directly relate to the person’s disability. Students with service animals must provide proof that that the animal’s vaccinations required by state and local laws are up to date, submit a Service Animal Inquiry form answering the following questions:

a. Is the animal required because of a disability?

b. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. The animal is not specifically trained to perform tasks for a person who suffers from emotional disabilities. Students requesting an ESA must submit the ESA Provider Request for Information Form and ESA Agreement Form (see ESA Animal Policy in SC4 College Housing).