Encountering dogs, cats, and other animals is a common experience for students at Eckerd College, a liberal arts institution in Florida that permits pets to reside in student housing.
Sophie Nocera, a senior at Eckerd, mentioned that she likely remembers the names of pets more than her classmates.
That’s true for many of the students,” said Nocera, who resides on the campus in St. Petersburg along with her Border collie, Zuko. “While walking my dog, I frequently hear, ‘Oh my god, hi, Zuko!’ It’s as if I’m not even present.
Several colleges and universities across the nation allow pets in their on-campus housing, ranging from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Stephens College in Missouri.
For learners, the presence of companions can assist in lowering stress, anxiety, and feelings of homesickness. Colleges also recognize advantages in terms of student involvement and supporting them in forming relationships with each other.
Federal law mandates that both public and private colleges permit service animals and emotional support animals in student housing. However, an increasing number of institutions are now allowing pets, subject to certain limitations.
Not every animal is allowed on pet-friendly university grounds
MIT only permits cats, with restrictions on quantity and designated areas. At Eckerd, students are allowed to bring their family pets to live on campus following their first semester. The institution requires that pets have been part of the students’ household for a minimum of six months prior to arriving on campus and must not be poisonous or hostile.
At the University of Northern Colorado, students living in three of the more than a dozen residence halls on campus are permitted to own dogs and cats. The pets must be at least six months old and weigh no more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms). Each student is allowed only one pet. This fall, the university will see the highest number of registered pets on campus since it started allowing them over ten years ago, according to Jediah Cummins, the executive director of housing.
“One sign of being an adult is, ‘Am I able to take care of myself, and can I also care for another living creature?’ That’s a crucial aspect of it,” Cummins stated.
Molly Cheer, a senior studying nursing, mentioned that one reason she selected Northern Colorado was due to its pet-friendly policy. She stated that when she feels overwhelmed with schoolwork, returning home to Louie, the cat she adopted during her first year, helps her feel better.
“Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I take him in my arms and hold him, and he remains there as long as I require,” she stated.
Eckerd has offered pet-friendly dorms since 1973. Jack Layden, the assistant dean for residential life and student engagement, mentioned that the college has welcomed hundreds of animals, such as rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, birds, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, geckos, turtles, snakes, frogs, fish, and even a tarantula.
Companionship from pets influences the college journey of their owners
Nocera mentioned that Zuko has assisted her in connecting with others on campus, as well as providing emotional support during her difficulty in deciding to switch her major.
“I recall returning to my dorm and collapsing onto the floor, with Zuko right there. I remember thinking, no matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll wake up and take him to the dog park. We’ll play fetch, no matter what my major is,” said Nocera, who serves as the staff director of Pet Life, a student-run department on campus responsible for managing the pet policy.
At Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, Eva Chatterjee-Sutton observed the impact a pet can have when a freshman was having difficulty forming relationships. Her mother recommended getting a puppy, and following the dog’s arrival, the student became more engaged with campus activities, according to Chatterjee-Sutton, the vice president of student life.
“I believe it has completely altered her college path and her relationships with others on campus,” Chatterjee-Sutton stated.
Dormitories establish rules, think outside the box to assist those with pets
Colleges must take into account factors such as safety issues, noise complaints, and ways to prevent animals from becoming distressed during fire alarm drills, according to Layden. Additionally, there are increased cleaning costs involved. Some institutions impose a pet fee, which differs depending on the school, the type of pet, and is frequently part of the housing charges. For instance, Stephens College charges $220 per year for a dog or cat, $50 for pets kept in cages or aquariums, and no fee for fish. Other schools ask students to obtain liability insurance and sign roommate agreements. Pets must be controlled when in public areas, and most colleges require students to ensure their pets are in good health and up-to-date on vaccinations.
Eckerd and other colleges acknowledge the importance of pets in their students’ lives during graduation events, permitting them to walk across the commencement stage together in certain situations.
It’s clear that having pets isn’t suitable for everyone, and that’s completely fine,” Nocera stated. “However, for those who it works well with, it’s truly rewarding. This coming year, I’ll be graduating, and Zuko will participate in his own small pet graduation ceremony, walking across the stage with me.
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