8.09 Animals on University Owned or Controlled Property
Reason for Review
Updates to policy
Review Deadline
Monday, April 28, 2025
8.09 Animals on University Owned or Controlled Property
This policy is outlined as follows:
Policy Statement
Definitions
- Service Animals
- Service-Animals-In-Training
- Assistance Animals
- Working Animals
- Companion Animals
Expectations
- Individuals Utilizing Service Animals and Service-Animals-In-Training
- Individuals Utilizing Assistance Animals
- Responsibilities of all Individuals with Animals on Campus
Exceptions and Exclusions
Violations and Complaints
Related University Policies
Resource
1. Policy Statement
To maintain public and campus health, safety, and security relative to animals, the university has expectations for the types of animals allowed on university-owned or controlled property. Service animals, service-animals-in-training, assistance animals, working animals, and companion animals are permitted on campus, as defined by federal law, state law, and/or this policy. Individuals with animals on campus are responsible for the animals they bring to campus.
2. Definitions
a. Service Animals
A service animal (as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA, 2008)) is a dog or a miniature horse trained to do work or perform specific tasks directly related to an individual’s disability. Generally, a service animal may accompany an individual with a disability on university property and in all university facilities where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are allowed, as long as the animal is under control, by voice, signal, leash, or other effective means.
b. Service-Animals-In-Training
A service-animal-in training (as defined by Iowa state law) is a dog or miniature horse that is undergoing a course of development and training to do work or perform specific tasks directly related to an individual’s disability. Generally, a service-animal-in-training may accompany the individual providing the training on university property and in all university facilities where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are allowed, as long as the animal is under control by voice, signal, leash or other effective means.
c. Assistance Animals
Assistance animals (commonly known as Emotional Support Animals and as defined by the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA)) are animals that do work, perform tasks, assist and/or provide therapeutic support to individuals with a disability. Requests for an accommodation to have an assistance animal in university-contracted housing or other specific locations must be made to Student Accessibility Services (student requests) or Human Resource Services (employee requests).
d. Working Animals
Working animals (as defined by this policy) are animals used: a) in academic courses or for education and research purposes; b) for law enforcement and rescue purposes; or c) under the direction of licensed mental health professionals employed by the university for therapeutic purposes on site at the Counseling Center or in public spaces. Working animals are permitted on campus by authorized individuals. The applicable Division head will determine if and when working animals are permitted on campus, in consultation with Student Accessibility Services (in relation to students) or Human Resource Services (in relation to employees), as needed.
The review and approval of university owned or maintained animals for education or research purposes are under the jurisdiction of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which follows guidelines as adopted by federal regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health. Faculty and staff who would like to use animals for research or teaching purposes that will be owned or maintained by the campus should contact the chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for instructions on project approval processes.
e. Companion Animals
Companion animals (commonly known as pets and as defined by this policy) are animals living with individuals for purposes of pleasure, leisure time activity and companionship. Generally, companion animals are prohibited from entering campus facilities. Exceptions are provided for: a) the University President’s residence; b) University-owned houses; c) Residence Life Coordinator apartments; d) pet communities as identified by University Housing & Dining; and e) approved university programs involving animals. Individuals wishing to possess a companion animal as it relates to one of the above outlined locations needs to utilize the process outlined by the manager of that property/community to request a pet and follow the expectations for that property/community.
3. Expectations
a. Individuals Utilizing Service Animals and Service-Animals-In-Training
Individuals with a disability utilizing a service animal or individuals training a service animal do not have to provide documentation, receive approval, or provide the university notice of the service animal’s presence.
Students with disabilities who utilize a service animal may contact Student Accessibility Services for assistance. Student Accessibility Services will assist each student as appropriate.
Employees with disabilities who utilize a service animal should consult with Human Resource Services for guidance on workplace practice.
When not readily apparent that an animal is a service animal, university personnel may ask only two questions to determine if the animal is permitted, (1) is the animal a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
b. Individuals Utilizing Assistance Animals
Students with a disability wanting to utilize an Assistance Animal (often referred to as an ESA) in University-contracted housing or other specific locations must request an accommodation through Student Accessibility Services and engage in the required processes as outlined by Student Accessibility Services in collaboration with Housing & Dining.
Employees with a disability wanting to utilize an Assistance Animal (often referred to as an ESA) in University-contracted housing or other specific locations must request an accommodation through Human Resource Services and engage in the processes as defined by that department.
University approved assistance animals may accompany their owner to any contracted-housing space that can and should be accessed by the Animal Owner within University Housing, or other specific locations.
c. Responsibilities of all Individuals with Animals on Campus
Individuals with animals on campus are responsible for their animals at all times. This responsibility includes following state laws, local animal ordinances, Housing & Dining policies and guidelines, including, but not limited to the following requirements:
- Providing appropriate restraint, control and supervision of animals at all times.
- Providing animals with appropriate care, including food, water, shelter, health care and humane treatment.
- Cleaning up and disposing of all animal waste (both indoors and outdoors) in a timely, appropriate, and effective fashion.
- Not allowing odor, noise, damage, or other behavior of animals that disturbs others or damages university grounds, facilities or property.
4. Exceptions and Exclusions
Animals may be prohibited from areas where their presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, research labs, areas requiring protective clothing, and food preparation areas.
5. Violations and Complaints
An animal may be prohibited from or required to leave a facility on campus if the animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Animals that are out of control, presenting a disruption, or posing a threat to the campus community should be reported to the UNI Department of Public Safety, 319-273-2712.
Concerns with animals in the residence halls, specifically alleged violations of the Responsibilities of Individuals with Animals on Campus (above) should be reported to Housing & Dining (319) 273-2333. Students who have allegedly violated these requirements will be referred to the student conduct process.
Non-emergent concerns with students bringing animals in academic buildings, administrative offices, or other areas of campus, can be directed to the Dean of Students office (319) 273-2332. Concerns of alleged policy violations will be referred to the student conduct process.
Other non-emergent concerns with visitors, staff, faculty, etc. and an animal brought to campus may be managed in consultation with other offices as appropriate, including but not limited to, Department or Division Heads, the ADA Coordinator, Student Accessibility Services and Human Resources.
UNI is committed to ensuring that the needs of all individuals with disabilities are met; and will work to resolve any complaints, conflicts, or problems as expeditiously as possible. Individuals with service or assistance animals who feel they have been discriminated against, or harassed should consult with the UNI Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 319-273-2846.
6. Related University Policies
- Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy 13.02
- Campus Accessibility & Accommodations of Disabilities 13.15
7. Resources
- Student Accessibility Services, 319-273-2332, accessibilityservices@uni.edu
- Human Resource Services, 319-273-6164, hrs-leaves@uni.edu
- University Housing & Dining, 319-273-2333, housing@uni.edu
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Fair Housing Act
University Housing & Dining and Office of the Dean of Students, March 2025
Office of the Dean of Students, approved February and April, 2019
University Council, approved April 15, 2019
President and Executive Management Team, approved May 6, 2019
[Last reviewed and/or updated 12/2014]