(Including Service and Emotional Support Animals)
Teachers College generally prohibits animals in Campus buildings. However, the College recognizes the importance of Service and Emotional Support Animals for individuals with disabilities and has established this policy regarding Service Animals (and Service Animals in training) and Emotional Support Animals, to accommodate them.
Specific requirements and guidelines concerning Service and Emotional Support Animals are set out below. Teachers College reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.
Please note that the keeping of dogs and other animals is also subject to federal, state and city laws, including Article 161 of the New York City Health Code, which prohibits the keeping of certain animals in New York City and sets certain licensing, vaccination and control requirements.
A. Service Animal
B. Emotional Support Animal
C. Pet
D. Approved Animal
E. Owner
Service animals are welcome in most parts of the College. Owners planning to bring Service Animals to reside in College housing are asked to follow the Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Campus Housing to allow the College to properly accommodate their animals and appropriately consider the needs of other residents who may suffer from allergies or otherwise need to limit contact with animals.
Owners planning to bring Emotional Support Animals to reside in Campus Housing are required to follow these steps:
Students with medical condition(s) affected by animals (e.g., respiratory diseases, asthma, severe allergies) should contact OASID if they have a health or safety related concern about exposure to a Service or Emotional Support Animal or need reasonable accommodations relating to others’ Service or Emotional Support Animals.
Housing personnel will make a reasonable effort to notify tenants in College housing where the Approved Animal will be located. Owners and their roommates/suitemates will be required to sign a consent form agreeing to the animal’s presence in the residence.
OASID along with Residential Services staff will work to try to resolve any conflict as a result of the presence of an Approved Animal in a timely manner. Staff members will consider the conflicting needs and/or accommodation requests of all persons involved.
Any violation of these rules may result in removal of the animal from the College with 48 hours notice to the owner. An Owner may appeal the decision to remove an animal with the College’s Section 504 Compliance Officer and will be provided with procedures to do so.
A. Introduction
These guidelines apply to all Approved Animals and their Owners, unless the nature of the documented disability of the Owner precludes adherence to these guidelines, and permission for a variance from the guidelines has been granted by OASID.
B. Care and Supervision
The Owner is responsible for the care and supervision of the animal and must maintain control of the animal at all times.
The Owner is also responsible for ensuring the cleanup of the animal's waste and, when appropriate, must toilet the animal in areas designated by the College consistent with the reasonable capacity of the Owner. Indoor animal waste, such as cat litter, must be placed in a sturdy plastic bag and securely tied before being disposed of. Litter boxes should be placed on mats so that waste is not tracked onto carpeted surfaces.
C. Animal Health and Well-being
D. Guidelines for Faculty, Staff, Students, and Other Members of the College Community
Do not treat Service or Emotional Support Animals as an excuse to ask about the owner's disabilities. The nature of a person's disability is a private matter.
Do not touch or pet a Service or Emotional Support Animal unless invited to do so by its Owner. Interactions may interfere with the Animal’s work.
Do not feed a Service or Emotional Support Animal unless requested by the Owner.
Do not deliberately startle a Service or Emotional Support Animal.
Do not separate or attempt to separate an Owner from his or her Service or Emotional Support Animal.
E. Removal of Approved Animal
The College may exclude or remove any animal unless the animal is on-campus as permitted under this policy. The College may exclude/remove an Approved Animal if:
If the Approved Animal causes a problem such that it needs to be removed from College housing, Residential Services will give the occupant the option of removing the animal or vacating the residence. If the occupant vacates the residence, Residential Services will prorate the housing charge. Residents found with an unauthorized pet must remove the pet and will not be released from their housing contract.
I have read the Teachers College Policy on Animals on Campus and will comply with it. I will not bring an Emotional Support Animal onto Campus until I am authorized to do so. I understand that I am responsible for complying with Guidelines applicable to my Service or Emotional Support Animal and that I am responsible for any injury or damage caused by an Approved Animal.
_______________________________ |
____________________ |
Owner Signature |
Date |
_______________________________ |
_____________________ |
OASID Representative |
Date |
_______________________________ |
_____________________ |
Housing Representative |
Date |
Animal Registration Form
Owner’s Name:
Owner’s UNI:
Owner’s Address:
Owner’s Phone:
Owner’s Work Phone:
Animal’s Name:
Type of Animal:
Physical Description of Animal:
Please attach the Veterinarian’s verification that the animal has all Veterinary-recommended vaccinations to maintain the animal’s health and prevent contagious disease. Also include a copy of New York’s required animal license (for dogs only).
By my signature below, I verify that I have read and understand the Teachers College Policy on Animals on Campus, and I agree to abide by the requirements applicable to Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). I understand that if I fail to meet the requirements set forth in the Policy, Teachers College has the right to remove the ESA with 48 hours notice, and I will be required to fulfill my housing, academic and all other obligations under the remainder of my housing contract.[1]
I furthermore give permission to the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities to disclose to others impacted by the presence of my ESA (e.g., Residential Services staff, potential and/or actual roommate(s)/neighbor(s), maintenance staff, etc.) that I will be living with an animal as an accommodation. I understand that this information will be shared with the intent of preparing for the presence of the ESA and/or resolving any potential concerns associated with the presence of the ESA.
I further recognize that the presence of the ESA may be noticed by others visiting or residing in Teachers College housing and agree that Residential Services staff may acknowledge the presence of the animal and explain that, under certain circumstances, animals are permitted for individuals with disabilities in Teachers College housing.
Signatures:
____________________________ |
____________________ |
ESA Owner |
Date |
____________________________ |
____________________ |
OASID Staff |
Date |
[1] If the approved animal causes a problem such that it needs to be removed, Residential Services will give the occupant the option of removing the animal or vacating the residence. If the occupant vacates the residence, Residential Services will prorate the housing charge. Residents found with an unauthorized pet must remove the pet and will not be released from their housing contract.
By my signature below, I understand that I will share the common areas of my assigned residential living/housing space with the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) approved by this agreement. I am aware that the ESA owner is solely responsible for the care and supervision of the ESA and must maintain control (as defined in the Animal on Campus Policy) of the ESA at all times. Should I have any concerns regarding the care and control of the approved ESA, I will discuss my concerns with the approved ESA owner and then with the Office of Residential Services at 212-678-3235 or housing@tc.columbia.edu if the approved ESA owner and I cannot resolve our concerns.
Please note that Emotional Support Animals are provided to individuals with disabilities as a disability related accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Roommate’s Printed Name Signature Date
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suitemate’s Printed Name Signature Date
Approved type of ESA: _____________________
Responsible Office: Associate Vice President & Chief Student Affairs Officer
Effective Date: June 6, 2022
Last Updated: June 6, 2022