51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Animals in University Buildings

1.0 POLICY STATEMENT

Except as included herein, animals are not allowed in 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø owned or controlled buildings.

2.0 BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION

This policy is intended to optimize the safety and health of students, faculty, staff, and visitors as it relates to animals on campus.

51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is committed to welcoming individuals and their service or authorized animals on University property in a manner that is safe, respectful, and consistent with University policies and regulations.

3.0 EXCEPTIONS

The following animals are allowed on campus as exceptions to this policy except where access is restricted to certain University areas consistent with federal and state laws and regulations. Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to:

• • Food preparation areas
  • Animal research facilities and grounds
  • Medically sensitive patient care or clinical areas
  • Biologically sensitive or hazardous sites

1. Animals that have been authorized by Disability Services (DS) for students or UA Human Resources Leave and Accommodations (HRLA) for employees and visitors,
2. Service animals,
3. Animals involved in approved University teaching, research, or clinical activities. For contact information, please refer to Section 9 of this policy.
4. Fish in personal aquaria (not to exceed ten gallons) with supervisor approval
5. On-duty police K-9 units

6. Animals involved in special events involving the display, demonstration, or use of animals with specialized skills or natural behaviors with prior approval from Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSRM).

7. Pets in residential housing per policies regarding animals in University residential housing facilities (Residence Life, Community Standards).

Even when authorized, an animal’s handler remains responsible for any damage caused or actions taken by the animal.

4.0 DEFINITIONS

Animals: Non-domestic or domestic birds, reptiles, fish, or mammals.

Handler: The animal’s owner and/or an individual who brings an animal into a University building or onto University property.

Pet: An animal kept for ordinary use, pleasure, and/or companionship.

Service animal/service animal in training: Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Tasks performed can include, among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

University building: University-controlled, leased, or owned structures.

5.0 REFERENCES RELIED UPON

Board of Regents’ Policy and University Regulation P04.02.030 (Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities: Prohibition Against), R04.02.030 (Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities) – R04.02.033 (Request for Accommodation Process), P09.06.010 (Prohibition Against Discrimination on the Basis of Disability) – P09.06.043 (Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff in Providing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities), R09.06.041 (Provision of Appropriate Academic Adjustments and Other Programmatic Accommodations: Responsibilities of the Disability Support Services Coordinator) -- R09.06.043 (Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff in Providing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities); Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Code, Title 6; Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504); Fair Housing Act (FHA), Alaska state law, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of each animal Handler to follow this policy and to respect the rights and concerns of others while on campus property. Assistance with or clarifications of this policy can be obtained from the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA) and/or the University Police Department (UPD).

Students should reach out to DS to request an accommodation, and employees and guests can reach out to the HRLA team to request an accommodation.

Approval Authorities:
The University has identified the HRLA and DS as offices having responsibility for and authority to determine reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who experience a disability. Pets in campus housing must receive prior authorization from Residence Life.

Animal Handler’s Responsibilities: Understand and follow University policy and procedures. Assumes full liability for bringing animal(s) on campus.

Disability Services Office (DS): Professionals that provide accessibility support and accommodations for students at any 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø campus.

Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA): ORCA addresses discrimination complaints and barrier concerns, and provides compliance support and guidance to individuals, programs, departments, institutes, colleges, and 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø as a whole, relating to disabilities.

University of Alaska Human Resources Leave and Accommodations (HRLA) Team: Provides accessibility support and accommodations for applicants, employees, and visitors.

7.0 PROCEDURES

Accommodations: Individuals with a qualifying disability may request an accommodation. Student requests should be directed to DS; requests for employees and guests should be directed to the HRLA team.

Residential housing: For policies regarding animals in University residential housing facilities, please see the policies at Residence Life, Community Standards.

Conditions: Handlers of animals in that fall under the exceptions to this policy and are in University buildings must adhere to the following conditions:

• Any animal shall be restrained and under the Handler’s direct control at all times. If the animal is a service animal and the use of a harness, leash, or other tether interferes with a service animal’s work or if the individual’s disability prevents using these devices, the Handler must maintain control of the service animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.
• The Handler must ensure the animal is not disruptive, including if left in a vehicle. Excessive noise, disruption or damage may result in the University asking the Handler to remove the animal from campus facilities.
• The Handler is responsible for the immediate cleanup and appropriate disposal of animal waste and other debris.
• Any animal in a University building must be accustomed to indoor living.
• Animals may not be tethered to anything other than the Handler.
• The Handler is responsible for damages to property or injury to individuals caused by the animal.

7.0 NON-COMPLIANCE

Any violation of this policy may result in discipline and the animal may be impounded and removed from University property by UPD or other authorities. Disciplinary responses may include a verbal warning, personnel action, student conduct, and/or trespass of the animal and/or Handler.

To report violations and disturbances:

• In student residence life facilities, contact 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Residence Life.
• In non-residential University buildings, contact ORCA or UPD.

Students: Disciplinary actions involving student Handlers and owners in noncompliance with this policy will be enforced through the 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Student Code of Conduct process.

Employees: Disciplinary actions are the responsibility of the supervisors.

Guests and Visitors: Disciplinary actions are the responsibility of UPD.

9.0 UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA)
Assist with information or report a concern related to this policy
Email: uaf-orca@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7300 (voice)
Website: /orca/

UA HR Leave and Accommodations team
Email: ua-ada@alaska.edu
Phone: (907) 450-8238
Website:

Disability Services Office (DS)
Email: uaf-disability-services@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-5655 (voice)
Website: /disabilityservices/

51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Police Department (UPD)
Assist with information or report a concern related to this policy.
Email: uaf-police-dept@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7721 (voice)
Fax: 907-474-5555
Website: /police/

51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Residence Life
Email: uaf-housing@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7247 (voice)
Website: /reslife/

 

POLICY APPROVED BY:

Daniel M, White, Chancellor
51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Signed: July 15, 2025