Emotional Support Animal Policy
Emotional Support Animal Policy in SC4 College Housing
This document outlines the rights and responsibilities of residents who live in College Housing. This document does not address service animals.
A. Emotional Support Animal Defined
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that may work and provide necessary emotional support to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. An Emotional Support Animal alleviates one or more identified symptoms of an individual’s disability. Emotional Support Animals are not considered Service Animals under the Americans with Disability Act and may not receive the same accommodations or access as Service Animals.
B. Emotional Support Animal as Accommodation; Documentation
An Emotional Support Animal may be granted in College Housing on a case-by-case basis by the ESA Committee with supporting documentation from a licensed professional. Any student who wishes to have an Emotional Support Animal must have a licensed psychiatrist, physician, psychologist, social worker or licensed mental health professional complete the Emotional Support Animal Provider Request for Information formeach academic year. The ESA Committee also has the right to review the credentials/license of the provider to ensure the provider has the appropriate licensure and/or certification to make such a recommendation for an ESA for the College Housing student.
C. Emotional Support Animals in Housing
Emotional Support Animals are only permitted in campus housing within the resident’s assigned living space. Emotional Support Animals are not allowed in other resident’s rooms or in the commons area. The College may exclude an Emotional Support Animal from College Housing if the animal is not housebroken; would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others; would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others; would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity; or is not being cared for by the individual. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in other areas of campus. Animals are not allowed in housing until it has been approved by the College. Animals are to be cared for and under the control of the owner. If the owner is away at night, other arrangements to board the animal outside of College Housing must be made, including emergencies or other unexpected events. It is not acceptable to have a roommate care for an animal while the owner is absent from housing.
1. Housebroken (i.e., toilet outdoors or use a litter box)
The resident approved to have an ESA hereafter designated as the Resident is responsible for cleaning up all animal waste (both indoors and outdoors) in a timely, effective fashion. Additionally, the resident is fully and solely responsible for the disposal of animal waste. Failure to dispose of pet waste appropriately will result in a violation of College policies. Caged animals are to be kept in appropriate cages with flooring and liner to prevent any damage to floors and to allow sanitary removal of pet waste. Animals must be caged when the owner granted this accommodation is not present in the room. The resident will be required to pay for any damages and/or excessive cleaning fees caused by the Emotional Support Animal.
2. Well-behaved
An Emotional Support Animal must be well-behaved. This includes, but is not limited to, no barking, whining, squawking, scratching, chewing, or aggression. The animal must be under the control of the resident at all times, such as on a leash or in a carrier. The resident is responsible for the actions of his or her animal. The animal shall not disturb, annoy, or cause any nuisance to other members of the community.
Aggressive animals or any animal that poses a threat or danger to the health, safety, or well being of individuals on campus may be removed from campus immediately at the sole discretion of the College. The animal will not be permitted to return to campus unless the resident can establish to the College’s satisfaction that the animal no longer poses a threat to the campus’s health, safety, or well-being.
3. Healthy
The resident must provide documents showing the animal has received all veterinarian recommended vaccinations as well as proof of absence of communicable diseases, fleas, rabies, and parasites (annually or as needed, thereafter).
4. Animal cannot interfere with reasonable enjoyment of people sharing the space
The resident is responsible for any odors, noise, damage, or other conduct of his or her animal that disturbs others or damages the premises and shall reimburse the College for any Costs incurred to repair, clean, or remediate any of the former. The resident that violate this policy or these obligations may be required to remove the animal from their room. Certain types, species, and size of animals, and any necessary equipment for the animal, may interfere with the enjoyment of people sharing with the space.
Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in any public common spaces within the residence halls/apartments, including community/shared bathrooms, lounges, dining areas, recreational rooms, computer labs, study rooms, or other common areas. Emotional Support Animals must be in a cage or on a leash during transport.
Legitimate health concerns of other students or staff members that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications may necessitate additional conditions or limitations placed on the use of an Emotional Support Animal. . If a roommate or suitemate objects to sharing a residence with the ESA, alternate housing arrangements will be made for one or all of the individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Resident Responsibilities
In addition to this policy, the resident must comply with all applicable local and state laws and regulations and College policies, including vaccination, licensure, and animal health and leash laws. The resident must also comply with all housing leases and contracts.
Emotional Support Animals may not be left alone for extended periods of time in resident’s room. If an Emotional Support Animal is left alone in a room for an extended period and is not being properly cared for, the College may contact the resident or their emergency contact to remove the animal. If this is unsuccessful, the College may notify the local animal control center and shall have the right to have the animal removed. Any cost for removing the animal shall be the responsibility of the resident.
D. Liability
The College assumes no responsibility or liability for the care or loss of a resident’s Emotional Support Animal. The resident is wholly liable for any damage to College or personal property and for any injuries caused by the Emotional Support Animal and shall reimburse the College for the repair, replacement, and/or restoration of the former. The resident agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the College, its employees, and the Board of Trustees for St. Clair County Community College from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, judgments and demands brought by any party arising on account of, or in connection with, any activity of or damage caused by the animal, including but not limited to costs and actual attorney fees expended by the College in the defense of such claims.
E. Housing Accommodations
If you have any medical, physical or health needs, you wish for College Housing to accommodate, please fill out a Request for Housing Accommodations form with the Coordinator of Academic Success and Disability Services, Anne McPherson. Her office is located in the Library/Student Support Services area, and she may be reached at (810) 989-5558. Please submit the Request for Housing Accommodations form within three business days of submitting your housing application. (Submitting a request will not adversely impact your housing application and does not guarantee that the College will be able to provide the accommodation.)
Note: There are no elevators in the building (only stairwells leading up to the second floor). If you require to live on the first floor of the building, please indicate on the Request for Housing Accommodations form.
Emotional Support Animal Agreement
I have read and understand the College’s Emotional Support Animal Policy. I agree to comply with, and certify that all required documentation has been provided.
I understand that if my Emotional Support Animal is out of control, not housebroken, or poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of others, or interferes with others’ reasonable enjoyment of College Housing, the College may remove the animal from campus.
I agree to be responsible for any and all damage to College property, personal property, and any injuries to individuals caused by the animal. I further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the College, its employees, and the Board of Trustees for St. Clair County Community College (the College’s governing body) from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, judgments and demands brought by any party arising on account of, or in connection with, any activity of or damages caused by the animal, including but not limited to costs and actual attorney fees expended by the College in the defense of such claims.
Note: This Agreement is valid until the end of the current school year with the exception of the indemnity and hold harmless provision, which will remain in effect indefinitely. This Agreement must be renewed prior to the start of each subsequent school year. In addition, the Agreement must be renewed whenever a different Emotional Support Animal will be used.
