06:35:01 Animals on Campus

Purpose

To establish requirements for accessibility, behavior and treatment of animals on campus.

I. Service Animals

It is the policy of WSCC to provide equal opportunity to disabled individuals to obtain employment, education, services and to provide a safe environment for all students, employees, guests and visitors to the college. Conditions regarding service animals on campus shall be enforced and shall apply to all members of the campus community as well as all individuals using the campus grounds or buildings at all WSCC campus locations.

II. Definitions

• Service Animal - A dog or miniature horse as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), and/or the federal regulations related to those laws. The service animal must have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a qualifying disability as defined by the Acts. The work or task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service animals are working animals, not pets.
• Service Animals in Training - A dog or miniature horse that is in the process of being trained as a service animal as defined by T.C.A., Section 62-7-112. However, the dog guide trainer shall present for inspection credentials issued by an accredited school for training dog guides.
• Comfort/Emotional Support Animal - An animal, that is not a service animal as defined above, utilized to provide comfort, emotional support, or other companionship related presence.

III. Permitted Use of Service Animals

       A. Animals are not permitted in the facilities, buildings, or outdoor properties owned, operated, and/or controlled by Walters State Community College unless specifically permitted pursuant to this policy. Service animals are permitted in all areas of Walters State Community College campuses where its owner, the person being assisted by the service animal and/or the public are permitted to enter or occupy.

           1. The presence of the service animal is subject to the following conditions:

               a. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.

               b.  The service animal is adequately controlled and does not disrupt the learning environment or present a threat to health and safety of persons or property.

               c.  The service animal is healthy and creates no danger of infection, transmission of disease, or other unreasonable health risk.

               d.  The service animal is housebroken.

               e.  The owner/keeper collects and properly disposes of waste by placing it in outdoor trash receptacles.

               f.   The service animal is properly groomed to be free of fleas, other insects, pests, or offensive/disruptive odors.

          2.  A service animal cannot be excluded from the premises unless it is non-compliant with one or more of the criteria set forth above in this section.

     B.  If a service animal’s behavior or presence is disruptive, destructive, or non-compliant with the requirements set forth in sub-section III.A. above, the owner/user will be required to take appropriate action to bring the animal under control, correct the non-compliant condition, or remove the animal from campus. Repeated violation of these requirements or refusal to comply with reasonable instruction to correct non-compliance may result in disciplinary action.

IV. Service Animal Inquiries

1. Faculty/Staff are not permitted to challenge the presence of a service animal on campus by inquiring about the owner/user’s disability, requiring medical documentation, a special identification card or training documentation for the animal, or ask that the animal demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
2. When it is not obvious that an animal is a service animal and/or what service the animal provides, a limited inquiry is permitted under federal regulations. The authority to make any inquiry shall be limited to the Coordinator of Disability Services, the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Dean of Students, or the Vice President for Student Services.

      1. The person(s) authorized to inquire may ask two (2) questions:

          a. Is the service animal required because of a disability, and

          b. What disability-related service has the animal been trained to provide?

      2. If the authorized employee believes that an animal is not a service animal or that the owner/user has answered the permitted questions in a manner that indicates the animal is not a qualified service animal, the individual(s) may not take direct action to prohibit the animal’s presence, but should share his/her concern with the Vice Presidents’ Council.

      3. Faculty/Staff may take immediate action to mitigate a disruption to the learning environment or a health/safety threat but may not permanently exclude a service animal from campus. Any disruption or threat should instead be reported to the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Dean of Students, or the Vice President for Student Services for a determination regarding further action.

  C. Service aniamls are not required to exhibit any identification or register its status as a service animal.

  D. Walters State Communtiy College may opt to maintain a voluntary registry for service animals that may be used in specific instances of emergency or incident response.

  E.  When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability an alternative accommodation.

  F.   Service Animals in Training are permitted to the same extent as Service Animals, subject to the requirements of T.C.A., Section 62-7-112 and this policy.

  G.  The provisions regarding service animals and service animals in training shall be applicable to all employees at the institution, members of the community, as well as all other individuals present at any Walters State campus or facility.

V. Comfort/Emotional Support Animals

     Comfort/Emotional Support Animals, or any other non-service animals, are not permitted on the Walters State Campuses.

VI. Exceptions to the General Prohibition

1. Animals present on a campus in connection with a classroom demonstration, research, or other official bona fide academic purpose, approved by the President or designee, as appropriate. Laboratory animals housed on campus must be adequately provided for at all times and provisions made for their care on holidays, weekends, etc.
2. Outdoor areas of a campus or facility designated by policy
3. Animals present for official law enforcement or other lawful government purpose
4. By permission of the President or designee for special events or performances
5. As an accommodation under the ADA
6. Fish maintained appropriately in aquariums are exempt from the provisions of this policy.
7. Aniamls on campus as part of events scheduled at the Walters State Expo Center are subject to the policies of the Center.
8. Animals kept as pets on college property are exempt from the provisions of this policy when that property also serves as a provate residence for the college or guests of the college.

VII. Miscellaneous

1. Wild or exotic animals 
   1.  Wild or exotic animals are prohibited unless permitted separately pursuant to Tennessee Law, the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or other appropriate state/federal authority.
   2. Owners/Handlers of any animal at Walters State are responsible for compliance wiht all state/local laws/ordinances regarding licensing and public health related vaccination requirements.
   3. Animals not in compliance with applicable laws/ordinances will be removed from the site.

VIII. Sanctions/Remedies for Failure to Comply

1. Individuals (students, employees, visitors/guests) who bring non-service or other non-exempt animals into campus buildings or outdoor areas, in violation of this policy will be directed to remove them and may be subject to disciplinary or law enforcement action.
    
2. Unattended or unrestrained animals will be removed from campus property by a local animal control service.
3. Damage to property that is a direct result of an animal brought to campus will be the financial responsibility of the individual bringing the animal to campus.

IX. Contacts/Procedures

1. Student Assistance: Students who require accommodations for the use of a service animal should contact the WSCC Student Support Services office at the Morristown campus, (423) 585-6893. Students may also contact the Vice President for Student Services with questions or complaints at (423) 585-2680, Morristown campus. If applicable, WSCC Student Support Services records use of a service animal on the student’s Educational Support Plan, which is distributed to Campus Police and the student’s instructor by e-mail each semester.
2. Employee Assistance: Faculty or Staff who require a service animal should consult the Executive Director of Human Resources at (423) 585-6845 or the Vice President for Student Services (423) 585-2680, Morristown campus.
3. Visitors/Guests who have service animals may contact the WSCC Police Department at (423) 585-6752 or the Vice President for Student Services (423) 585-2680, Morristown campus, before visiting a campus.
4. The Vice President for Student Services may be contacted at (423) 585-2680; the Vice President for Academic Affairs may be contacted at (423) 585-6933.
5. The responsible administrator identified in IV.B. will notify other offices and personnel as applicable concerning the presence of animals on campus. 8/13; 7/14; 1/15; 12/15; 05/16; 6/19