Futon? Check. Microwave? Check. Dog food? Check.
Normally, when packing for college, Spike isn’t on the list. But at Stephens College, a women’s college in Missouri, students living in Searcy Hall may bring almost whatever pet they desire.
There are some restrictions. Dogs must be under 40 pounds, and the pets must be caged while unattended.
Stephens College is not the first to offer a pet program for its students, but the appearance of such allowances has been rare at colleges and universities in the U.S.
The U. Nebraska-Lincoln housing rules state that only fish are allowed in residences on campus. Some students think permitting other pets at UNL could be acceptable, depending on the situation.
“It depends on the roommate and the animal,” said Allison Goldfein, a senior art major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Obviously, loud animals are a no.”
Goldfein herself admitted to having a hamster for two years while living in the Village.
“It bothered me at night sometimes, but that was my problem,” Goldfein said. “I had my own room, so nobody cared.”
Jessica Cullan, a freshman pre-med and business major, is planning on bringing three neon fish and a pink snail from home in the near future.
While the fish and snail from her home will be welcomed to UNL without problems, Cullan wishes she could have other pets.
“I think it’d be cool if they were small,” Cullan said. “I wish I could bring a hamster. That’d be awesome. I’d have it run on its wheel.”
Not everyone shares this view.
“Pets in the dorms, that would be a zoo,” said Austin Larson, a sophomore business major. “I think that about sums it up.”
In fact, University of Nebraska-Lincoln students feeling lost without their furry friends have little to no chance of such a program at their school.
“Residence halls are no place for a pet, period,” said Doug Zatechka, director of University Housing.
Zatechka said there are reasons upon reasons for not allowing pets. Many students have allergies and sometimes the pets cause damage or irritation in a residential situation. In addition, he said, there is a psychological factor that comes into play. There are many people who are scared of cats and dogs and even more who have a fear of snakes, lizards or spiders.
If a pet were to bite someone, the university could even be liable for the injury. Pets also may carry with them diseases, which would lead to the university being responsible for ensuring all animals have had their proper immunizations and ensuring the documentation for such immunizations were legitimate.
“I’ve spoken with veterinarians, societies preventing animal cruelty; they all say it’s not a good idea,” he said.
The exception, Zatechka said, would be if a student requires an animal for assistance with a disability.
“It is much more than a pet at that point,” he said. “But it must be verified by Services for Students with Disabilities.”
To those students who think they can sneak their pet in, beware. According to housing, if UNL students are caught with pets, they are asked to immediately remove the pet from the room. If the student does not comply, judicial action may be taken. If there is damage to the room, the student is responsible for paying.
“I’m all for pets,” Zatechka said. “Pets can be nurturing, warming and create a terrific bond with the owner. But not in a dorm. It’s not a proper place for a pet.”