Student Handbook

3.01 Animal and Pet Policy

The college requests that students and staff refrain from bringing unauthorized pets to campus property. Unauthorized pets or animals are not allowed in any campus building, nor are they allowed to be tied to any campus structure or confined on or in parked vehicles on campus property.

Service animals are permitted anywhere on campus at any time. Assistance animals will be more broadly defined. Assistance animals may provide physical, psychological or emotional support to individuals, but may not be considered Service Animals under the ADAAA.

All requests for assistance animals as an accommodation in campus housing facilities must be approved by your roommate, the NJC Guidance Coordinator, the Transition Specialist, and the Director of Residence Life. Assistance animals are restricted to the housing area of the owner. They are not permitted in dining facilities, the library, academic buildings, athletic buildings, classrooms, and other non-residential locales. A student may be able to have an assistance animal in a campus housing unity as a reasonable accommodation if:

  • The student has a documented disability; and
  • The animal is necessary to afford the student with the disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling; and
  • There is an identifiable relationship or nexus between the disability and the assistance the animal provides. 

Requests for assistance animals may be denied if the presence of the animal imposes an undue administrative burden, fundamentally alters NJC housing policies, or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Other factors that are considered are:

  1. The size of the animal is too large for assigned housing space;
  2. The animals presence would force another individual from housing (i.e., serious allergies);
  3. The animals presence would violate other individuals rights to peace and quiet;
  4. The animal is not housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner;
  5. The animals vaccinations are not up to date;
  6. The animal has had past aggressive behavior and poses a direct threat to others;
  7. The animal causes or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond normal wear and tear.

Assistance animals must be contained in the assigned living accommodations except to the extent to take the animal outside for natural relief. When outside, the owner of the animal must have control of the animal at all times. The animal shall not be permitted to go loose or run at large. The owner of the animal must abide by city, county, and state ordinances (i.e., licensing, barking, vaccinations, etc.).

The owner is required to clean up after and properly dispose of animal waste in a safe and sanitary manner.

The owner must ensure that the animal is well cared for at all times.

The owner will be charged for damages caused by the animal that exceed normal wear and tear.

The animal must be kept clean, and free of ticks, fleas, and other pests.

Animals may not be left overnight in the NJC residence halls. If the owner must be gone overnight, they must take the animal with them. During the day, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the animal is contained, as appropriate.

During emergency evacuations, NJC shall not be required to provide care or food for any animal. NJC will not be responsible for removing the animal during emergency evacuations for events such as fire alarms. Emergency personnel will determine whether or not to remove the animal during emergencies.

Removal of Assistance Animals

NJC may require an animal be removed from housing if:

  1. The animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or causes substantial property damage.
  2. The animals presence results in a fundamental alteration of a college program;
  3. The owner does not comply with the responsibilities set forth in this document;
  4. The animal creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the college community.

Noncompliance with this procedure will result in a report to the city animal control specialist for immediate removal of the animal and the student responsible for the animal on campus will be reported for judicial sanctions.