Cornell Proposal

Cornell College

Live-in Professional Pet Policy Proposal

Table of contents

Introduction

Current Situation

Rationale

Recruitment and Retention of Full-time Professional Staff

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Common Arguments Against Having a Permissive Pet Policy for Live-in Professional Staff

Addressing Concerns for the Arguments Against?

Common Rationale For and/or Benefits of Having a Permissive Pet Policy for Live-in Professional Staff

Appendix A?ACM Schools' Pet Policies

Appendix B?Health Benefits Articles

Appendix C?Pet Policy Contract

Appendix D?Dog Breed List

Introduction

Due to the unique nature of the live-in professional positions, stipulations must sometimes be placed upon the personal lives of those who occupy these positions. Examples include policies on cohabitation, candles, and pets. In recognizing that the full-time professional live-in staff of the residence halls are mature, responsible adults who have committed their lives to being positive, healthy role models for students and colleagues, we respectfully request that full-time professional, live-in staff members be allowed to own a pet other than underwater species. This proposal will address the pet policy, presenting rationale in favor of allowing live-in professionals to possess certain types of pets-given some qualifications.

Current Situation

While the live-in positions at Cornell College may be entry-level, possession of a Masters degree is strongly sought after. Due to this requirement, the typical ages of live in staff members will frequently fall within the range of twenty-three to thirty. Candidates are sometimes older, but rarely younger. Given the ages of these incoming professionals, many will have had significant periods of time in which to develop their independent, personal lives. Included in this development is often the acquisition of a pet. In addition, because this is a difficult market in which to recruit employees, coupled with the fact that the College resides in a rural area, makes it difficult to retain qualified candidates.

Rationale

1. The Assistant/Associate Director (A.D.) apartment is the permanent residence of the Assistant/Associate Director.

2. Pet ownership is considered therapeutic and has been shown to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and lower blood pressure.

3. The responsibility placed on pet owners is one which not only is beneficial to the owner, but provides an opportunity for that owner to demonstrate responsibility and role model such positive behavior.

4. There is currently an inconsistency between live-in and live-on staff member's ability to have pets.

5. Requiring professional staff to live on campus limits the parameters in which they must live. Establishing physical differences combined with simple policy variations for those holding such positions creates a recognizable differences in the living agreements between professional staff and student residents. Therefore, the allowance of professional live-in staff to own non-aquatic pets should be considered by campus administrators as a token of compensation for limited living arrangements, and yet be justified to residents as an extension of benefits for professional staff.

6. Allowance of pet ownership in a residence hall setting does not only effect the owner positively, but also the residents living in that building. Residents who witness their A.D. demonstrating responsible ownership and handling techniques will likely develop greater respect for the owner of the pet. Residents are aware of the care and commitment that must go into owning a pet, and seeing this on a frequent basis instills a positive outlook on the owner.

7. Although a pet should not become a hall "Mascot," residents will likely see the A.D. who owns a pet as responsible, caring and kind. These attributes are essential to harmonious living in the residence halls, as residents will come in contact with their A.D. on a daily basis as well as during intense situations. In addition, the pet can act as a buffer between the students and the A.D. Students who would not normally approach the A.D. may approach the pet, thus building a better relationship with students. The image created by responsible ownership is, therefore, beneficial to all students living in a given residence hall.

Recruitment and Retention of Full-time Professional Staff

- The job market for full-time live-in professional staff is becoming increasingly more competitive. In order to remain competitive in recruiting professional staff for the Assistant/Associate Director positions, benefits and salary must be comparable with other institutions. Allowing the opportunity to own a pet while living in the residence halls, will not only increase the pool of candidates applying for the A.D. positions, but also retain them for a longer period of time.

- One reason that many professional staff members choose to move out of residence life into live-off positions is the restrictions that colleges and universities place upon the professional's living situation and lifestyle. There is little to no chance with regard to the apartment that a professional (and his/her family) has to live in. It is a reality that as a live-in professional your life will be critically examined by the staff and residents of the building in which you live, and seldom do professionals have the opportunity to live in a location which allowed them the freedom to own a pet other than fish.

- Another common issue facing the retention of live-in professionals is dealing with burnout and finding balance with their multiple demands. Long days, often working well into the evening and weekends with staff meetings and programs, contributes greatly to burnout of professionals. Owning a pet could provide some sense of stress relief for live-in professionals and thus a better sense of well being which would be carried over into the job setting.

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

- The health benefits of pet ownership have been well documented. With regard to physical health, pet ownership has resulted in decreased stress levels, cholesterol levels, and risk for heart attacks for some people.

- Please see Appendix B for additional information.

Common Arguments Against Having a Permissive Pet Policy for Live-in Professional Staff

- Allergies of others living in the facilities and those who will end up living in the apartment after the pet owner.

- Liability of the pet injuring someone other than the owner.

- Noise/disturbance by pet while the owner is out of the apartment.

- Damage incurred by the pet within the apartment (i.e. dander, fleas, scratched doors or furniture)

- Possibility of fleas and ticks being carried into student's living unit.

- Unfriendly odors or smells.

- Pet waste possibly becoming a problem.

- "Double Standards" between professionals and students.

- Welfare of pet when left unattended during working hours.

Addressing Concerns for the Arguments Against?

- Allergies

-Requiring the A.D. to have an air filter in their apartment that is suited to the square footage of the apartment coupled with the fact that none of the residence halls have central air units will greatly reduce the amount of allergens.

-In addition, windows in the residence halls tend to stay open year around allowing a virtual plethora of allergens to fill the building. Any allergens that may effect the residents are likely to come from out doors and not the A.D.'s apartment.

-A cleaning charge or a carpet replacement charge could be paid by the A.D. at the time the pet moves in or when the A.D. leaves the College. A deep cleaning of the carpet and apartment will greatly reduce any possible complications for future residents of the apartment.

- Injury to others

-Requiring the A.D. to have insurance that will cover the pet will greatly reduce the liability for the school and the A.D.

-Also, having the pet carried, on a leash, or under strong verbal control will greatly reduce any likelihood that the pet will injure someone. The liability would be no greater or no less then the liability the school has for allowing owners to walk and or own pets around and on campus property.

- Fleas and Ticks

-Requiring the owner to have the pet on some type of flea and tick control program will reduce any fleas or ticks in the apartment to near zero.

-Secondly, having the apartment sprayed once or twice a year could also reduce these concerns.

- Unfriendly odors/smells & pet waste

-Most often any unfriendly odors that would come from an A.D.'s apartment would be cat litter or an un-bathed dog. If the owner of the pet is acting in accordance with the pet contract listed in Appendix C of this proposal then there will be no problems. Any issues that may arise will be dealt with in accordance to that contract.

- "Double Standards"

-A common concern among administrators in allowing live-in professionals to possess pets, or-more broadly-to enjoy privileges or perquisites not available to students, is that of setting "double standards."

-At its most basic level, the title of the "live-in professional," or a "professional position" connotes a certain degree of education, maturity and responsibility. The A.D. has often been a professional outside of the live-in experience, and has worked to attain a Masters degree.

-Generally the Assistant/Associate Director differ from students in the following respects:

1. They possess a bachelor and a Masters degree.

2. They are older and therefore possess more life and work experiences.

3. They are employed full-time by the university, and are required to live within the residence hall as a stipulation of their employment.

-Distinctions and variations in privileges amoung students and A.D.s have already been made due to

these differences. For example, A.D.s have larger living areas, private bathrooms, and kitchen.

Common Rationale For and/or Benefits of Having a Permissive Pet Policy for Live-in Professional Staff

- Positive interactions with residents due to having a pet (where such interactions would be allowed); higher degree of approachability.

- Professional has attained more years of education and more life/work experiences. This in turn connotes a certain degree of maturity, competence, and responsibility.

- Professional is a full-time employee who is required to live on campus due to the nature/requirements of his/her position.

- Therapeutic benefits: lowers stress level, companionship, lower blood pressure, and lower anxiety.

- Positive role modeling of a responsible, mature, caring person for another being.

Appendix A

ACM School Pet Policies

Beloit College

- They agreed several years ago to allow staff members to have pets.

- Mixed reviews

- Issues involve cleaning and returning apartment to its original condition

- Have had to replace the carpet in some apartments

- Stated that, "For small animals it's okay. Some people try to keep larger dogs and we all struggle."

- They normally do not have the apartments cleaned after each person moves out.

- Contact Person: John Winkelmann

Carleton College

- Allow cats, birds and caged animals.

- $100 deposit

- Sent current copy of their policy

- Contact Person: Kendre Galanti

Coe College

- After one year of employment at Coe College, live-in professional staff are allowed to have a pet.

- If the pet is a dog, it must weigh less than 40 pounds.

- Contact Person: Tracy Fisk

College of the University of Chicago

- "Dogs and cats are automatically OK anything else needs to be run by me." (me = Deputy Dean of Student Services for Housing and Dining Services)

- Expectation that living areas are maintained and kept clean for when students meet in their residence.

- Contact Person: Stephen P. Klass

Colorado College

- Hall Directors are allowed to have one small pet

- Faculty members are allowed to have two small pets

- Their pet policy is unwritten

- Contact Person: Kimberly Allen

Grinnell College

- No response.

Knox College

- Do not have any permissive pet policies for live-on staff

- "Knox's regular pet policy however, is quite open: We allow rabbits, turtles, anything (to a degree) that are caged and not poisonous...no dogs, cats, or ferrets, however."

- Contact Person: Craig Southern

Lake Forest College

- "Lake Forest College allows pets for professional staff members in their apartments without restrictions. The staff loves it and so do the students."

- Contact Person: Pam McCann

Lawrence College

- No response.

Macalester College

- "Here at Macalester we allow.... 'small, naturally caged, non-dangerous pets' for students and Residence Hall Directors. Generally, this translates into snakes, hamsters, etc."

- Contact Person: Sarah L. Griesse

Monmouth College

- No response.

Ripon College

- Currently we extend to Hall Directors the same policy as we use for students. Small caged rodents and fish are about all we allow.

- Contact Person: Christophor Ogle

St. Olaf College

- Only fish, cats and caged animals (limited to gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs) are allowed in professional staff apartments.

- Contact Person: Pamela Mannebach

Institution

Salary*

(months)

Masters Req'd

Pets****

Beloit College

?

Carleton C

14(9.75)

No

????

Coe College

??

College of the University of Chicago

??

Colorado College

??

Grinnell C

20(10)

Yes

?????

Knox College

Lake Forest C

19.5/23(12)

N/Y

?????

Lawrence College

Macalester C

23.4(10)

Yes

???

Monmouth College

Ripon College

? ?

St. Olaf College

? ??

**** Types of pets permitted--please note that there may be restrictions placed on some types within each

category-check with institution

KEY ?-fish · ?-small pets in cages or aquariums ?-birds ?-cats ?-dogs

Appendix B

Appendix C

Cornell College

Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement

Rationale:

The College considers live-in staff members to be professionals in the field of student services, who are required to live in the residence halls to fulfill their job responsibilities. Realizing that a residence hall is not always the most desirable living situation, the College attempts, whenever possible, to provide its live in staff with amenities and privileges to enhance their home life.

As such, the College has established the following guidelines for live-in staff who desire an animal companion.

Proposed Guidelines:

1. Only full-time benefited live-in/-on staff are permitted to have a pet on the property.

2. The pet may be either a cat, dog or a non-poisonous or non-dangerous animal.

3. The staff member may own no more than one pet.

4. The cat or dog can be no larger than 24 inches high at the shoulder and expected to weigh no more than 35 pounds at maturity. These dimensions are commonly classified as "small" or "medium" breeds. The animal must be spayed or neutered either before moving into the hall or at an appropriate age determined by the pet's veterinarian. Documentation to that effect must be on file with the Dean of Students. In addition, all cats must be de-clawed when its veterinarian declares it safe to do so.

5. Prior to the pet's arrival (other than fish), the staff member must obtain approval from the Dean of Students. Included in the approval is a thorough review of this contract and the appropriate signatures.

6. The pet must have all required vaccinations up to date and a copy of these records must be on file with the Dean of Students prior to the pet's arrival to the apartment. These records should be updated as soon as a booster or required vaccination is given.

7. The pet may not be taken to any other building, nor to any other room or area within that building or on campus without the written permission of the Dean of Students.

8. The owner must be receptive to complaints by residents and college personnel in addition to formal grievances that may be filed with the Director of Residence Life or the Dean of Students.

In the event that a formal grievance is filed, it will be the decision of the Dean of Students as to the continuation of the "Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement" between the professional staff member and the College, based on the validity of the grievance. Upon termination of this agreement, the pet owner will have 48 hours to remove the pet from the apartment.

9. The pet's feces must be disposed of properly. The owner must immediately remove the feces from the grounds and dispose of them in a plastic or paper bag that is then placed in an appropriate container.

10. Any and all damages incurred due to the pet will be the responsibility of the owner; there will be a refundable deposit of $400 (for possible damages and/or cleaning charges). This deposit must be paid to the Business Office prior to the animal moving in.

The owner will take all "reasonable" precautions to protect College property. This includes using products available on the market that may aid or accelerate processes such as litter and house training.

All liability for the actions of the pet will be the responsibility of the staff member. The staff member will maintain liability insurance and provide documentation of that to the Dean of Students.

11. The staff member is responsible for de-fleaing the apartment once a year and upon leaving the university. The staff member must provide documentation that this has been done. In addition, the pet owner must maintain some type of flea treatment program, whether this involves a flea collar, or a more potent program such as Advantage that covers the dog and its environment.

12. The staff member will maintain an air purifier that is fitting to the square footage of the apartment where the pet resides. This is a preventative measure to reduce any possible allergens in the air.

13. All local pet ordinances must be obeyed. The owner is responsible for obtaining such information from the city of Mount Vernon. While outdoors the pet must be on a leash, in a pet carrier, in the arms of the owner or his/her designee or under vocal command.

14. When the owner is out of town, the pet will be cared for at an off-campus location or by another Cornell College staff member. Students should not be asked or granted responsibility of caring for the animal while the owner is off campus.

I have read this Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement and agree to abide by all the responsibilities and policies. I understand that the Dean of Students may revoke this privilege, if I fail to meet any of the above responsibilities.

Dean of Students Signature_____________________________________________________Date___________

Staff Member's Signature_______________________________________________________Date___________

Type of Pet: Cat Dog

Breed: __________________________ · Sex:_____________

Apartment where pet will reside:_____________________________________

Liability Insurance Carrier__________________________________________ Amount _________________

Vaccination History on file: Yes No

Spayed/Neutered Documentation: Yes No Date to be completed__________________

Cat De-clawed: Yes No NA Date Completed________________

De-fleaing: Date________________ Date________________ Date________________ Date__________

Appendix D

Breed

Height

Weight

Emotionally

Indoors

Outdoors

Strangers

Groups

Territorial

Dominance

American Water Spaniel

short

small

stable

active

active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Bassett Hound

little

medium

very stable

very active

moderate

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Beagle

little

small

stable

very active

moderate

very friendly

very social-great

very low-great

submissive-OK

Bedlington

little

mini

vacillating

active

active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Bichon Frise

little

mini

stable

very active

moderate

very friendly

very social-great

moderate-good

submissive-OK

Border Terrier

little

mini

very stable

active

active

friendly

very social-great

low-great

submissive-OK

Boston Terrier

little

mini

vacillating

inactive

moderate

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Boxer

middle

large

stable

active

active

friendly

very social-great

moderate-good

submissive-OK

Brittany

short

small

vacillating

active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Cairn Terrier

little

mini

stable

active

moderate

reserved

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Clumber Spaniel

short

medium

very stable

inactive

active

very friendly

very social-great

low-great

intermediate-OK

Cocker Spaniel

little

mini

normal

active

active

friendly

very social-great

low-great

submissive-OK

English Cocker Spaniel

short

small

stable

active

active

very friendly

very social-great

low-great

submissive-OK

English Springer Spaniel

short

medium

stable

active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Field Spaniel

short

medium

stable

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Fox Terrier

little

mini

stable

very active

very active

very friendly

sociable-good

high

dominant-OK

Harrier

short

medium

stable

very active

very active

very friendly

sociable-good

very low-great

submissive-OK

Japanese Chin

shrimpy

pocket

stable

active

inactive

friendly

very social-great

low-great

submissive-OK

Keeshonden

middle

medium

stable

active

active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Kerry Blue Terrier

short

small

normal

active

active

reserved

sociable-good

high

dominant-OK

Lakeland Terrier

little

mini

stable

very active

very active

friendly

very social-great

high

intermediate-OK

Miniature Schnauzer

little

mini

vacillating

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Norfolk Terrier

shrimpy

mini

stable

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Norwegian Elkhound

short

medium

stable

active

moderate

friendly

very social-great

high

dominant-OK

Norwich Terrier

shrimpy

mini

stable

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

Papillion

shrimpy

mini

vacillating

active

moderate

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Pug

little

mini

stable

inactive

inactive

reserved

solitary

moderate-good

submissive-OK

Shih Tzu

shrimpy

mini

stable

active

inactive

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Silky Terrier

shrimpy

mini

stable

active

active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

submissive-OK

Wheaten Terrier

short

small

stable

active

active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

intermediate-OK

Sussex Spaniel

little

small

stable

active

active

very friendly

moderate-OK

high

dominant-OK

Vizsla

middle

medium

vacillating

inactive

active

friendly

very social-great

low-great

submissive-OK

Welsh Springier Spaniel

short

medium

normal

active

very active

friendly

moderate-OK

moderate-good

submissive-OK

Welsh Terrier

little

mini

stable

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

moderate-good

intermediate-OK

W. Highland Terrier

little

mini

vacillating

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

low-great

intermediate-OK

Whippet

small

mini

vacillating

inactive

very active

reserved

solitary

low-great

submissive-OK

Yorkshire Terrier

shrimpy

tiny

vacillating

very active

very active

friendly

sociable-good

high

intermediate-OK

Information in this table is from The Right Dog For You by Daniel Totora, Ph. D. and The Complete Dog Book by The American Kennel Club.