Updated August 2026
4.4 | Animals
4.4.A | With the exception of fish (limited to a 20-gallon aquarium), those approved by the University and designated as assistive, residents are not allowed to keep animals or pets in the residence halls. Such authorization must be obtained in writing from the Office of Student Accessibility.
4.4.B | Fish: Aquariums must be unplugged, and all animals must vacate the residence halls anytime their owner leaves for longer than 3 days.
4.4.C | Approved Assistive Animals: Students who have obtained official approval from the Office of Student Accessibility to have a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in their residence hall is required to abide by the rules surrounding their ownership (see Section 2.13.E of this Handbook). Owners are also expected to:
- Supply a local emergency contact and photograph of their animal to the Department of Residential Living within the first week of their animal being on campus.
- Crate their animal when the owner is not present in the room.
- Remove their animal from campus if the owner is gone for longer than 24 hours.
4.4.D | The use of university bathroom facilities to wash an animal is strictly prohibited.
4.4.E | Unauthorized Animals: Students found with unauthorized animals in the residence halls will be fined $250.00 immediately and required to remove the animal within 24 hours. An additional fine for noncompliance will be assessed at $100.00 per day. If a student does not remove the animal within three (3) days, Residential Living officials will remove the animal with the assistance of the University Police Department or Animal Control. The student may be subject to additional fees associated with impounding the animal and releasing the animal from impound.