Animals

Animal on Campus

Scope: This policy applies to all employees, students, and visitors.  
Definition: a living thing that is not a human being or plant

A “Service Animal” means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.

Responsibilities of the CSM Community

  • Allow a service animal to accompany its handler at all times and everywhere on campus except where access has been specifically prohibited.
  • Do not pet a service animal. Petting a service animal when the animal is working distracts the animal from the task at hand.
  • Do not feed a service animal. The animal may have dietary restrictions.
  • Do not deliberately startle a service animal.
  • Do no separate or attempt to separate a handler from his or her service animal.
  • When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, CSM may only inquire whether
  1. the dog is required because of a disability, and
  2. what work or task the dog has been trained to perform

Procedure For Access

A service animal is used by individuals with disabilities to facilitate access. If a student did not identify themselves to the Disability Support Services office, the student will be encouraged to meet with the DSS office. If it is not obvious what service an animal provides, CSM may inquire whether 1) the dog is required because of a disability, and 2) what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. If a student does not
follow proper access procedures and a complaint is filed, the Vice President of Student Equity and
Success will contact the student. In collaboration with the Disability Support Services Coordinator, the Vice President will inform the student of the policies and procedures regarding service animals on CSM campuses. If the student fails to act in accordance with the above, it will be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Judicial System process will be initiated.

Grievance
If a student does not agree with the decision made concerning the use of a service animal, the student should follow the grievance procedures as outlined in this Student Policy Guide.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended
29 U.S.C. Part 794

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
28 CFR 35.104
28 CFR Part 35.136
28 CFR Part 36.104
28 CFR Part 36.302
The college reserves the right to contact animal control officials to remove any unattended animal and will not be responsible for any associated costs or for any disposition of the animals.

Animals in Buildings

No animals are permitted in any college-owned building except:

  1. Service Animals
  2. Fish in tanks no larger than five gallons
  3. Animals used in academic activities, with approval of the academic Vice President of Student Equity and Success.

No animals are permitted in any college-leased building except:

  1. Service Animals
  2. Animals used in academic activities, with approval of the academic vice president, but only if permitted by the lease terms.

Animals on the Grounds

No animals are permitted on college grounds except:

  1. Service Animals
  2. Domesticated animals (up to 200 pounds) on a leash.


Reference: Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, 28 C.F.R. § 36.104

For more information contact: Executive Director of Public Safety and Preparedness, ext. 7754         

GCO: 7/06

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