Gettysburg College Animals on Campus Policy

Gettysburg College Animals on Campus Policy

Purpose of Policy

This policy establishes guidelines for the presence of animals on Gettysburg College property to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the campus community while maintaining compliance with applicable laws. The policy provides guidelines for service animals, educational animals, emotional support animals (ESA), and personal pets on campus. It protects access and safety for individuals with disabilities who require service animals while maintaining appropriate standards for campus facilities and grounds.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on Gettysburg College property. The policy covers all college-owned or leased buildings, including residential and non-residential buildings, gated athletic facilities, campus roads, walks, grounds, and College rental housing. Except as provided in this policy, animals are not permitted in College-owned or leased buildings, gated athletic facilities, or College rental housing.

Definitions

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Legislation that governs the use of Services Animals.

Campus Roads, Walks, and Grounds: All outdoor areas of the Gettysburg College campus, including sidewalks, pathways, parking areas, lawns, and open spaces.

College-Owned or Leased Buildings: All buildings owned, leased, or controlled by Gettysburg College, including academic buildings, administrative buildings, residential buildings, dining facilities, recreational facilities, and maintenance buildings.

College Rental Housing: Properties owned by the College and rented to members of the campus community.

Educational Animals: An animal brought to campus temporarily for educational, demonstration, or academic purposes under the direct supervision of faculty or staff and with prior approval from the College. Educational animals are activity-specific and authorized only for approved educational use. Animals used for College research purposes are governed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Emotional Support Animals (ESA): An animal that provides therapeutic emotional support to an individual with a disability and is covered under the Fair Housing Act. The only building that ESAs are permitted in is the owner’s residential space.

Fair Housing Act – Legislation that governs the use of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).

Gated Athletic Facilities: Enclosed or restricted athletic venues and facilities controlled by Gettysburg College.

Handler: The individual responsible for the care, control, and supervision of an animal while the animal is on College property

Pet: Any animal that is present with a handler on campus that is not in the capacity of a Service Animal, ESA, or Educational Animal.

Service Animal: A dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In certain circumstances, a miniature horse may also qualify as a service animal under the ADA. The provision of emotional support or comfort does not constitute work or a task for purposes of this definition. 

Policy Description

4.1 Service Animals

An Individual with a disability is permitted to be accompanied by a Service Animal in all areas of campus where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities, or invitees are allowed to go. This includes all College-Owned or Leased Buildings, Gated Athletic Facilities, College Rental Housing, Campus Roads, Walks, and Grounds. Service Animals may be excluded from food preparation areas and laboratories, under health and safety regulations and for legitimate sanitation and safety reasons. 

The College may ask an individual with a disability only two questions to determine whether an animal qualifies as a Service Animal: (1) is the animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the animal been trained to perform? The College cannot require documentation of the disability, require that the service animal demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the individual’s disability.

Service Animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices, in which case, control of the animal must be maintained through voice, signal, or other effective means.

The Handler is responsible for the care and supervision of the Service Animal at all times, including cleaning up after the animal.

A Service Animal may be excluded from campus if: (1) the animal is out of control and the Handler does not take effective action to control it; (2) the animal is not housebroken; or (3) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications.

4.2 Emotional Support Animals in Residential Facilities

ESAs are permitted only in College residential housing as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. ESAs are not permitted in classrooms, dining facilities, or academic buildings.

Eligibility Requirements

An individual may request an ESA in College housing as a reasonable accommodation if:

1. The individual has a disability
2. The individual has provided documentation that describes the functional limitations of the individual's disability and the disability-related need for the animal from a licensed healthcare provider or mental health professional
3. The animal is necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy College housing
4. There is an identifiable relationship or nexus between the disability and the assistance the animal provides (Note: Emotional distress resulting from having to give up an animal because of a "no pets" policy does not constitute eligibility for an accommodation under federal law.)

An accommodation for an ESA may be denied if it would impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the College, poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications, or constitutes a fundamental alteration of the nature of the service or program.

See Exhibit A – Procedures; A.1 Application and Approval Procedures and A.2 ESA Annual Renewal

Students approved to have an ESA in College housing:

• May have their approved ESA in their assigned residential space (room and/or apartment)
• Are responsible for the behavior, care, and supervision of the animal, including but not limited to:
  • Ensuring the animal is housebroken and does not display aggressive or disruptive behavior
  • Maintaining the animal’s health, including current vaccinations, cleanliness, flea and odor control
  • Properly disposing of all animal waste (animal waste disposal via College plumbing is prohibited)
  • Keeping the animal under control at all times, including on a leash or lead in common areas
  • Complying with all Pennsylvania State laws regarding licensing, vaccination, and health regulations
  • Providing proof of flea prevention, sterilization (if applicable), and current vaccinations when requested
  • Bearing all costs associated with the ESA, including licensing, food, veterinary care, and any damage caused by the animal
  • Complying with all College rules regarding noise, safety, disruption, and cleanliness

Liability and Damage

Gettysburg College does not charge a pet fee or deposit for an approved ESA. The student is, however, solely responsible for any injury or damage caused by the ESA, pest treatment expenses incurred above and beyond standard pest control, and any additional cleaning and repair expenses that arise from the ESA.

Removal of ESA

ESAs may not be left overnight in the residence hall to be cared for by another student. A student is permitted to have no more than one approved ESA. The College may remove an ESA from College housing if the animal:

• Is not housebroken;
• Causes substantial damage to the property of others;
• Poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications;
• Fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity;
• Is not being cared for by the student or if the student does not comply with this policy; or
• Creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the College community

The College will base such determinations upon the consideration of the behavior of the particular animal at issue, and not on speculation or fear about the harm or damages an animal may cause. Should the ESA be removed from the premises for any reason, the student is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the remainder of the housing license agreement.

Roommate Considerations

The student is responsible for notifying roommates about the ESA. The notification should include the type and size of the ESA, as well as clear expectations and any instructions for appropriate interaction with the ESA. The student has a responsibility to be sensitive to others who may fear their ESA or have allergies to the ESA.

Roommates may request a room change if they have a desire to do so. The College may reassign the student to another accommodation if care of the ESA or interactions with others become a concern.

See Exhibit A – Procedures:

• 3 Notification Procedures
• 4 Facilities Maintenance Procedures for ESAs
• 5 ESA Conflict Resolution

4.3 Educational Animals

Educational Animals may be brought to campus for educational, or academic purposes only with prior approval from the Provost’s Office or the appropriate Vice-President.

Educational animals must:

• Serve a legitimate educational, or academic purpose;
• Be under the direct supervision of faculty or staff at all times;
• Be used only in designated areas and for approved time periods;
• Comply with all applicable health, safety, and licensing requirements; and
• Not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the campus community

Educational Animals are not permitted in residential facilities, dining facilities, or other areas unless specifically approved as part of the educational program. Educational Animal approvals are activity-specific and do not authorize the animal to remain on campus beyond the approved educational use.

See Exhibit A – Procedures; A.6 Educational Animal Approval Process

4.4 Pets on Campus

Pets are not permitted in College-owned or leased buildings, gated athletic facilities, College rental housing, or residence halls. This prohibition applies to all students, employees, and visitors, including animals brought as guests of residents, family members, or friends. The only exceptions within residential facilities are Service Animals as outlined in Section 4.1, College-approved ESAs as outlined in Section 4.2, and non-carnivorous fish in aquariums not exceeding three gallons.

Pets are permitted on campus roads, walks, and grounds when under the control and supervision of the Handler, who is responsible for cleaning up after the pet. All pets on campus grounds must be licensed and vaccinated in accordance with Pennsylvania law.

Professional staff members who live in a College-owned or leased building are bound to the rental agreement through HR or Auxiliary Services, which includes stipulations related to pets.

Policy Management

The policy owners are responsible for the implementation, oversight, and review of this policy.

• The Office of College Life is responsible for addressing animal-related concerns and issues and enforcing compliance among students.
• Human Resources (HR) is responsible for addressing employee-related animal matters.
• Facilities Services may be involved in addressing animal-related facility and maintenance issues.
• Campus Safety may assist with enforcement and incident response as needed.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the appropriate office. Students should contact College Life, and employees should contact HR.

Related Materials

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Service Animal Regulations
• Pennsylvania State Law regarding pet registration, vaccination, and licensing
• Gettysburg Borough Animal Control Ordinances
• Gettysburg College Student Housing Policies
• Gettysburg College Employee Handbook
• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Animal Health Requirements
• Fair Housing Act provisions regarding assistance animals
• Gettysburg College Facilities Use Policies

• Pennsylvania Dog Law: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Animals/DogLaw/Pages/default.aspx
• Adams County Dog Licensing: https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/treasurer/dog
• IACUC: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1103/iacuc.htm

EXHIBIT A: PROCEDURES

A.1 Emotional Support Animal Application and Approval Process

1. Students requesting an ESA as a reasonable accommodation should contact the designated accessibility office to initiate the accommodation request process.
2. Students must provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider or mental health professional that:
   • Identifies the individual has a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act
   • Describes the disability-related need for the ESA
   • Explains the relationship between the disability and the assistance provided by the animal
   • Is current (typically within the last 12 months)
3. The designated office will review the request and documentation and may request additional information if needed.
4. Upon approval, students will meet with a representative from the appropriate residential office to review rights, responsibilities, and procedures.
5. Students must complete required forms, including:
   • ESA Accommodation Agreement
   • Proof of current vaccinations
   • Proof of licensing in accordance with Pennsylvania and Adams County requirements
   • Emergency contact information

A.2 ESA Annual Renewal

ESA accommodations must be renewed annually. Students must submit updated documentation and proof of current vaccinations and licensing prior to each academic year.

A.3 ESA Notification Procedures

Upon approval of an ESA, the designated office will notify:

• Appropriate residential education staff
• Facilities Services
• Campus Safety
• Other offices as necessary to implement the accommodation

Students may post "Animal in Residence" signs but are not required to do so.

A.4 Facilities Maintenance Procedures for ESAs

When requesting maintenance or facilities services, students with ESAs should contact Facilities Services to schedule a time when the student will be present with the animal secured or controlled.

A.5 ESA Conflict Resolution

If conflicts arise between a student with an ESA and roommates, suitemates, or neighbors (e.g., due to allergies, fear, or religious objections), the College will:

• Explore reasonable solutions that accommodate all parties
• Consider room reassignments as appropriate
• Work with all parties to find a resolution that does not require removal of the approved ESA absent other policy violations

A.6 Educational Animal Approval Process

1. Faculty or staff requesting to bring Educational Animals to campus must submit a request to the Provost’s Office or appropriate Vice-President with at least five business days’ notice.
2. The request must include:
   • Course or program information and educational objectives
   • Description of animal(s), including species, number, size
   • Proposed location(s) and date(s) of use
   • Duration of animal presence on campus
   • Supervision plan
   • Safety protocols and containment measures
   • Plan for animal waste disposal
   • Emergency contact information and procedures
   • Proof of required licenses, permits, and vaccinations
   • Liability insurance information (if applicable)
3. Requests will be reviewed for:
   • Educational merit and necessity
   • Health and safety considerations
   • Facility appropriateness
   • Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
   • Impact on campus community
4. Approved educational animal activities must comply with all conditions specified in the approval and may be subject to monitoring and inspection.
5. Educational animal approvals may be revoked if conditions are not met or if the animal poses a risk to health, safety, or welfare of the campus community.