An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a reasonable accommodation that affords a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing by alleviating one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Documentation is required for any type of requested accommodation. Documentation for an ESA must be from a qualified medical professional.
The ESA Policy explains the specific requirements applicable to a campus resident’s request for and possession of an ESA in University housing. The ESA Policy does not apply to “service animals” under applicable law.
Although it is the policy of HPU that residents are generally prohibited from having animals of any type in University housing, HPU will consider a request by a resident with a disability for a reasonable accommodation to allow an ESA consistent with the ESA Policy. Before a Resident may bring a requested ESA to campus, the Resident must be approved by OARS for a reasonable accommodation.
**All documentation should be uploaded to the online registration**
Once OARS receives the required documentation, an Accessibility Specialist will review the request and issue a decision regarding the requested ESA. The student requesting the ESA will be notified if the ESA is approved or if OARS needs additional information regarding the request. Decisions regarding ESAs may take three or more weeks after documentation from a Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, or Therapist has been received by OARS. If medical documentation is incomplete or illegible, this may further delay the decision.
Denials of Requests for Emotional Support Animals. The University is not required to provide accommodations that would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Thus, if a particular animal requested by a student with a disability has a history of dangerous behavior or an unsafe disposition, the University will deny the request for an ESA. The University will also deny requests that would: (1) result in substantial physical damage to the property of others unless the threat can be eliminated or significantly reduced by a reasonable accommodation; (2) pose an undue financial and/or administrative burden on the University; or (3) fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s Student Life operations.
Conflicting Health Conditions and Aversions. Students with a medical condition or aversion affected by animals (e.g. allergies, asthma, respiratory conditions, zoophobia, etc.) should contact OARS if they are assigned to reside in close proximity to an ESA. OARS will work with Student Life to reasonably accommodate residents with disabilities who need accommodation when living in close proximity to an ESA as may be required by applicable law.
ESA accommodation renewals through OARS should be completed in accordance with Housing deadlines(i.e. by February 14).
Once OARS receives the required documentation, an Accessibility Specialist will review the request and issue a decision regarding the requested ESA. The student requesting the ESA will be notified if the ESA is approved or if OARS needs additional information regarding the request. Decisions regarding ESAs may take three or more weeks after documentation from a Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, or Therapist has been received by OARS. If medical documentation is incomplete or illegible, this may further delay the decision.
Denials of Requests for Emotional Support Animals. The University is not required to provide accommodations that would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Thus, if a particular animal requested by a student with a disability has a history of dangerous behavior or an unsafe disposition, the University will deny the request for an ESA. The University will also deny requests that would: (1) result in substantial physical damage to the property of others unless the threat can be eliminated or significantly reduced by a reasonable accommodation; (2) pose an undue financial and/or administrative burden on the University; or (3) fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s Student Life operations.
Conflicting Health Conditions and Aversions. Students with a medical condition or aversion affected by animals (e.g. allergies, asthma, respiratory conditions, zoophobia, etc.) should contact OARS if they are assigned to reside in close proximity to an ESA. OARS will work with Student Life to reasonably accommodate residents with disabilities who need accommodation when living in close proximity to an ESA as may be required by applicable law.
Once the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) has approved the Emotional Support Animal (ESA), the student with the approved ESA (the “Resident”) must sign (through COMPASS) and abide by the following rules and responsibilities. Failure to abide by the ESA rules and responsibilities may lead to sanctions, including removing the ESA from University Housing.
I have read and understand my responsibilities as an owner of an emotional support animal, as outlined above. Should I fail in my responsibilities, I understand my approved accommodation may be suspended, I may be required to remove the ESA from University facilities, and I may be charged with violating student policies.
In some situations, it may be necessary for various departments at HPU to disclose certain information regarding the presence of an ESA with those individuals who may be affected by the presence of the animal, including but not limited to Resident Life personnel, potential and/or actual roommates, and neighbors.
I understand that OARS may disclose information regarding my request for the presence of an ESA to individuals who may be impacted by the presence of an ESA. Any information disclosed generally will be limited to information about the ESA and not about the Resident’s disability. By signing below, I hereby grant HPU permission to disclose the presence of a University-approved ESA to those parties who may be affected by its presence, including by not limited to any roommate and persons inhabiting a shared immediate living space.
I further recognize that the presence of the ESA may be noticed by others visiting or residing in the University housing and agree that staff may acknowledge the presence of the animal, and explain that under certain circumstances ESAs are permitted for persons with disabilities.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a type of reasonable accommodation that affords a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing by alleviating one or more identified symptoms or effects a person’s disability. This Policy, as subject to change from time to time, explains the specific requirements applicable to a campus resident’s request for and possession of an ESA in University housing. This Policy does not apply to “service animals” under applicable law.
Although it is the policy of HPU that residents are generally prohibited from having animals of any type in University housing, HPU will consider a request by a resident with a disability for a reasonable accommodation to allow an ESA consistent with this Policy. Before a Resident may bring a requested ESA to campus, the Resident must be approved by OARS for a reasonable accommodation under this Policy.
A. Emotional Support Animal
An ESA is a type of reasonable accommodation that affords a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing by providing emotional support or alleviating one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. An ESA is often a dog but may be from a broad range of species. An ESA is not a service animal under applicable law or University policy.
B. Resident
The “Resident” is the individual who resides in University housing and has requested to bring an ESA into University housing as a reasonable accommodation under this Policy.
C. Office of Accessibility Resources and Services
The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) collaborates with individuals, faculty, and staff to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to all HPU programs and activities.
D. Reliable Third Party
Someone who is familiar with the Resident’s disability and the necessity for the requested accommodation, such as a health care provider, therapist, counselor, or social worker.
Residents requesting an ESA as a housing accommodation must:
A. Contact the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services to provide notification you are requesting an ESA.
B. Set up an appointment with an Accessibility Specialist to complete a structured interview. During this meeting the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal will be reviewed.
C. Provide current and up-to-date veterinary documentation for the ESA that includes documentation of animal type and size, current vaccination records, and proof of flea and tick treatment.
D. Complete an In Case of Emergency (ICE) removal form. This will require the Resident to identify an off-campus person who is not a current HPU student who will take possession of the animal if the animal must be excluded from campus under Section VI of this Policy.
E. Sign the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved ESA.
F. Optionally receive an identification tag and door decal for the ESA.
A. Upon receipt of a completed request for an ESA, OARS will conduct an individualized assessment of the request. A request for an ESA may be denied as unreasonable if the presence of the animal: (1) imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden; (2) fundamentally alters University housing policies; (3) poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial damage to the property of others, including University property; and/or (4) is otherwise unreasonably interferes with the operation of the University.
B. HPU may consider the following factors, among others, in determining whether the request for the animal is reasonable:
A. Equal Access to Housing for Individuals with Disabilities
HPU will not limit room assignments for individuals with ESAs to any particular residence hall because the individual needs an ESA because of a disability. HPU will not ask for or require a Resident to pay a fee or surcharge for an approved ESA.
B. ESA Access, Dominion, and Control
An ESA must be contained within the Resident’s assigned individual room except to the extent the individual is taking the ESA out for natural relief. Student Life will work with the Resident to identify appropriate spaces for the ESA to relieve itself, based on where the Resident resides. The ESA is not permitted in other students’ rooms or the common areas of the residential facilities, and other areas of the University such as classrooms, academic buildings, administrative buildings, libraries, dining services areas, fitness center, outside recreational areas, pools, the Promenade, Robert’s Hall Lawn, or other commonly shared public spaces on campus. ESAs brought on campus must be under the control of the Resident at all times. The Resident must be in full control of the animal at all times (e.g. leash, harness, crate). The Resident is solely responsible for the animal’s well-being, care and cleaning, including but not limited to regular feeding, bathing, grooming, daily care, and veterinary services. It is the responsibility of the Resident to ensure that others are not disrupted by the ESA (e.g. barking, excessive noise, etc.).
The Resident must agree to abide by the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal.
If the University grants a Resident’s request to live with an ESA, the Resident is solely responsible for the custody and care of the ESA and must meet the following requirements:
A. General Responsibilities
A. The University may require the removal of the animal from University housing if:
B. The decision to remove an ESA will be made based on individualized determinations regarding the behavior of the particular ESA and Resident and not on speculation or fear about the harm or damages an ESA may cause. Prior to removal, a Resident may receive a written warning. However, immediate removal may be necessary for certain situations such as when the ESA poses a threat to the safety of others on campus. The Resident will be afforded all rights of appeal as outlined in the OARS Procedures Manual.
C. Removal of an ESA from University premises for any reason does not relieve the Resident from their obligation under the housing contract.
HPU will not retaliate against any person because that individual has requested or received a reasonable accommodation in University housing, including a request for an ESA.
Acknowledgment and Release of Information Consent Form
Service dogs that are required because of a disability and individually trained to perform specific tasks or work are welcome on the High Point University campus and are expected to be under the handler’s control at all times.
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with a mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. (ADA.gov Bulletin July 2011)