Most people love their furry friends, but do their on-campus roommates?
Currently, Kennesaw State University only allows service animals and emotional support animals in residential areas. It should stay that way. There could be many reasons why students would not want to share their living areas with a pet, especially one that is not theirs.
Animals can be loud. Barking, running, playing or other activities could cause unwanted sounds in any community. This could affect roommates living in the same space or anyone surrounding the apartment with pets. Noise is not something limited by KSU’s quiet hours. There could be issues surrounding pet commotion that can disrupt students’ sleeping, studying and working.
Several weeks ago, in the Austin Residence Complex Building 200, there were issues surrounding animal fecal matter on the ground and in the complex itself. The resident assistant had to act and display posters discouraging leaving animal matter and encouraging residents to clean up after their animals. Not only is it a health hazard, but it’s also gross.
There have been issues regarding residents lacking accountability since the pets aren’t officially registered with the school. Additionally, if the animals are not housebroken, which is a requirement of the KSU Code of Conduct, their roommates may feel uncomfortable with the animal residing there without their owner.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), allergies to pets with fur affect around 10-20% of the world’s population. In a situation where someone were to get a random roommate, issues with allergies could be present. Allergies could put someone in an uncomfortable living situation. According to the AAFA, some of their symptoms could be swelling, redness or itchiness of the eyes and nose, stuffy or runny nose, coughing, hives, sleep disruption and more. Additionally, if the animal were to have any allergies, it would prevent any other roommates from having whatever the animal may be allergic to.
Some people simply may not want to live with animals, especially if they are unaware of an animal being in the space beforehand. Someone could prefer cats over dogs while their roommate has a dog, or they could come from an environment without pets.
No matter the reason, no student paying for student housing should be forced to share their living space with an animal that they don’t want or that their roommate doesn’t need medically.
As of right now, pets are not allowed unless they are registered as emotional support animals (ESAs) or service animals. For students to verify their animals, according to the KSU policy on ESAs, they must gain permission 30 days before moving in.
“Individuals intending to bring an Emotional Support Animal on campus will be required to provide documentation from a medical professional that the animal provides support that alleviates the identified symptoms or effects of the individual’s disability,” the policy said.
However, the issue with this policy is that if students have documentation, it could be very simple to get an emotional support animal approved, despite whether they are needed.
Leave your pets at your parent’s house. An animal that is just a pet is not allowed in on-campus housing. Any pet, other than a fish, that is there without approval causes the charge of a daily fee to their resident, according to theKSU Code of Conduct.
KSU should continue to not allow pets on campus, and residents of on-campus housing with ESAs or service animals should be respectful to other students.
