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Animals on Campus

Approved by: Bruce Blanding

Original Date Effective: 2014-07-01

Purpose

Jackson State Community College strives to provide a safe environment for students, employees, and visitors on all its campuses and property. As part of this effort, Jackson State has established the following policy regarding domesticated animals on campus.

Definitions

  • Service Animal - A dog or miniature horse " ... that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability," (28CFR 35.104 and 36.104). The regulations also state that "the work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability." Service animals are not pets.
  • Comfort Animal - Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as Service Animals under the Americans With Disabilities Act Amended of 2008, under Titles II and III. Comfort animals also may be known as pets.

If there is any question if an animal qualifies as a Service Animal, a determination will be made by the Disability Resource Center Coordinator and/or the college's ADA Coordinator/Director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. Questions should be referred to these college officials.

Policy

  • Service Animals are allowed in and on all college property unless their presence would create a verifiable health or safety risk. No student or employee of Jackson State shall discriminate against an individual because of the use of a Service Animal which meets the requirements set forth in this policy.
  • Comfort Animals, pets or other animals not working as Service Animals are not allowed inside any college facility without specific permission granted by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
  • Animals used for college-related instruction or demonstration are exempt from this policy as long as the person, group or organization bringing the animal(s) to campus has received approval from the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
  • Animals are permitted on campus grounds so long as they are under the control of an individual through use of a leash, harness, or other restraint devise.
  • Individuals who bring an animal on college property are responsible for immediately collecting and properly disposing of their animal's wastes in an outdoor container. Exceptions can be made if a person is unable to pick up after their Service Animal due to that person's disability.
    • The handler also is responsible for being in full control of the animal at all times, not allowing it to cause excessive noise or disruption.
  • Individuals who bring unauthorized animals into campus buildings and/or whose animals' behavior is disruptive and/or destructive will be asked to remove them. Repeated violations will result in disciplinary and/or legal action.
  • Injury or damage to property that is caused by an animal brought to any college property will be the sole responsibility of the person who brought the animal.
  • Unattended or unrestrained animals will be removed from college property by a local animal control official. The college and its employees assume no responsibility for controlling, feeding, housing or caring for a Service Animal or Comfort Animal brought to campus.
  • Individuals using Service Animals on college property are encouraged to communicate with the Disability Resource Center Coordinator prior to coming to campus. This can enable the Coordinator to assist in communicating with college employees so no problems will arise because they are unprepared in dealing with a Service Animal.
  • Service Animals must be healthy and their handler able to provide documentation that the animal meets all local ordinance requirements for having current shots. Animals must be free of fleas, ticks, and any danger of infection, transmission of disease or other health problems to people.
  • Service Animals in Training- Consistent with Tennessee law, T.C.A. § 62-7-112, Jackson State allows service dogs in training to be admitted to facilities. Service dogs in training must be on a leash, be under the control of the raiser and wear a collar, leash, or other appropriate apparel or device that identifies the accredited school with which it is being raised. The trainer must present credentials for the dog issued by a school for dog training to the Disability Resource Center Coordinator, located in the Student Union Building, prior to bringing the dog on college property.