Scope
This policy addresses the presence and possession of animals on Illinois State University property, including its buildings and grounds.
Purpose
The purpose of the policy is to define type of animals and conditions under which they are permitted on campus to maintain order, health, and safety of the university community. The policy is designed to cover most common problems posed by domestic animals, but cannot address every situation that may occur because of other animals, including birds, reptiles, arachnids, etc. Situations not covered in this statement should be addressed in consultation with ISU Police Department, Environmental Health and Safety, and other affected departments.
Definitions
Service Animal (SA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines Service Animals as dogs* that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service Animals are working animals, not pets. To be a Service Animal, the work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as Service Animals under the ADA. *In some circumstances, the use of a miniature horse may also qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
Service Animal in Training (SA in Training)
An animal participating in a formal training program to learn how to become a Service Animal. SAs in Training are allowed on campus to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as Service Animals. SAs in Training are not pets.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
An animal that is prescribed by a healthcare or mental health professional to an individual with a disability and is necessary to afford the individual with an equal opportunity to use and enjoy on-campus housing. Emotional Support Animals are not pets.
Pet
Pets are domestic animals (i.e., members of a species that normally and customarily shares human habitat and is normally dependent on humans for food and shelter including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and other common domestic animals). Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals are not pets.
Handler
The owner and/or person in charge of an animal.
Assistance Animals
Term used in the Fair Housing Act to refer collectively to Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals.
Policy Statement
Illinois State University permits individuals to bring animals on university property subject to the conditions set out in this policy and applicable federal and state laws. The university reserves the right to exclude an animal from campus if it causes disruption, threatens the health or safety of others, or otherwise fails to meet the criteria set forth in this policy.
Compliance
Animals are only permitted on university grounds in accordance with this policy. Animals must be under direct control of a Handler and have the requisite tags affirming they are properly licensed and that required vaccinations are current. Handlers must maintain control of the animal using a leash or harness that does not exceed six feet in length. Pets may not be left unattended or tied to any object. Handlers must immediately clean up after their animals and all injuries or damages caused by an animal are the responsibility of the Handler.
Pets
Pets are welcome in campus outdoor public spaces, excluding areas such as athletic fields, landscaped areas and gardens, laboratory school grounds, day care facilities, and other areas as designated by the university. To maintain safety and avoid disruption and damage, pets are not allowed inside buildings or other indoor spaces owned or controlled by the university except as specified in this policy.
Service Animals (SA)
SAs are permitted in campus outdoor public spaces and inside university buildings including on campus residential complexes. This practice follows Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA). Visit https://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/policies/dog/ for more information. If you are an employee that is required to live on campus as part of your employment, visit https://equalopportunity.illinoisstate.edu/ for more information.
Service Animals in Training (SA in Training)
SAs in Training are permitted in campus outdoor public spaces and inside university buildings including on campus residential complexes. The individual accompanying the SA in Training should carry documentation indicating that the individual is an approved trainer as defined by this policy. Visit https://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/policies/traininganimals/ for more information.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
ESAs approved by Student Access and Accommodation Services (SAAS) are permitted in campus outdoor public spaces, and to accompany an individual with a disability into their assigned-on campus residential complex room in accordance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA). ESAs are not allowed in residential dining areas or any other university building. For more information visit: https://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/policies/assistanceanimals/
On campus residential complexes
Animals are not permitted in on campus residential complexes with exception of SAs, SAs in Training, and ESAs approved by SAAS or OEOA; animals that comply with the University Housing Service Residential Life Full-Time Employee Pet Policy; and fish in tanks with 10-gallons capacity or less.
Animal Handler Responsibilities
Handlers must comply with the following requirements regarding animals on campus, and are responsible in all ways for their animals, including fiscal responsibility for any bodily injury or property damage caused by the animal.
- Dangerous, poisonous, or illegal animals are not permitted on university premises.
- The behavior, noise, odor, and waste of the animal must not exceed reasonable standards as determined by the university and these factors must not create an unreasonable disruption for community members (including staff, faculty, students and/or residents).
- Ensure that animal waste is cleaned up immediately and disposed of properly.
- Comply with applicable state and local requirements regarding vaccination, licensure, leashing, clean-up, and animal health.
- Provide appropriate care and control of the animals
- From time to time, the university may use pesticides, pest control devices, de-icing materials, cleaning supplies, and other materials for the maintenance and operation of university facilities. The university is not responsible for any harm to animals on campus caused by such materials.
Specific Exclusions from Scope
This policy does not apply to:
- Animals used for teaching and research purposes as approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Requests for such uses must be submitted to the Office of Research Ethics and Compliance.
- Animals used in classes on campus based on requests by faculty for academic or educational use. Non-research animals used in classes must be approved specifically by Environmental Health and Safety and University Risk Management.
- Animals used in law enforcement service.
- Animals trained for and used in a clinical therapeutic setting on campus, such as the counseling center.
- Animals associated with entertainment productions, promotional events or others associated with Registered Student Organizations are permitted in or on university property only if the animals are under the direct control of their handler. Animals used for such purposes must be approved specifically by Environmental Health and Safety and University Risk Management.
The university reserves the right to place additional restrictions on the presence of animals in certain events or locations. Additionally, the university may invite animals to campus for specific events.
Requests for exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing and approved in advance by Environmental Health and Safety.
Contact
or concerns involving animal emergencies, disruption, or property damage, please contact the Illinois State University Police Department (ISUPD) as they are the primary response agency for the university. ISUPD can be contacted at:
Illinois State University Police Department
Email: isupolice@IllinoisState.edu
Phone: (309) 438-8631 or 911
ISUPD should be contacted in response to the following animal related issues and concerns:
- Emergencies and other requests for immediate assistance.
- Animal bites and attacks.
- Disruptive, unsafe, unrestrained, or unattended animals on ISU property.
- Damage to ISU property caused by animals.
For administrative inquiries of this policy, please contact:
Environmental Health and Safety
Email: ehsadm@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309) 438-8325
For information on Assistance Animals, please contact:
Student Access and Accommodation Services
Voice: (309) 438-5853
Fax: (309) 438-7713
Sorenson: (309) 319-7682
Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
Voice: (309) 438-3383
Other Contacts
University Risk Management
Email: RiskManagement@IllinoisState.edu
Phone: (309) 438-1900
University Housing Services
Phone: (309) 438-8611