Pet Proposal
1
Final Proposal to Allow Live-In Professionals
to Possess Pets at West Virginia University
August 29, 1995
Submitted by Richard Horowitz - Resident Director
Stalnaker Hall
West Virginia University
Pet Proposal
2
Due to the unique nature of live-in professional positions, stipulations must sometimes be placed upon the personal lives of those who occupy these positions. Examples include policies on cohabitation, alcohol, and pets. 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 (See Appendix A).
Approximately three years ago, West Virginia University made the decision to transform the Resident Director positions into full-time "professional" commitments. As the position of Resident Director was evolving, so was the typical candidate for the position. Today, the Resident Director position attracts a national pool of candidates who possess Masters degrees and range greatly in age and backgrounds.
While the live-in Resident Director positions at West Virginia University are considered entry-level, possession of a Masters degree is required. Due to this requirement, the typical ages of Resident Directors will frequently fall within the range of twenty-three to twenty-six. 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 developing this life is often the acquisition of a pet.
The acquisition of a pet is an indulgence in which, according to Mediamark Research, 43% of all American households decide to partake. The popularity of pets is often due to the companionship they offer, but studies have also shown that possessing pets such as dogs reduces one's blood pressure and level of stress.
It is generally agreed that the Resident Director position can be intense and stressful. Being fully immersed within the world of the students requires significant sacrifices in lifestyle. An example of one potential sacrifice is the ability to live with one's significant other and/or child(ren). Fortunately, West Virginia University has taken a pro-family position with regard to this potential sacrifice. This proposal asserts that a pet can be a significant family member, and should receive similar consideration. As much as a child is fully reliant upon the caring and attention of one individual or couple, so is the pet. Perhaps more importantly, minimizing the lifestyle sacrifices of live-in professionals--in an area as precious to people as their pets--will benefit not only the live-in professionals and their family units, but the University community as well.
Pet Proposal
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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". This proposal asserts that the different standards which students and live-in professionals experience are not only merited but necessary.
At its most basic level, the title of the "live-in professional", or a "professional position" connotes a certain degree of maturity, competence, and responsibility. Indeed, as previously mentioned, the Resident Directors have often been professionals outside of the live-in experience, and have worked to attain a Masters degree. Generally, Resident Directors differ from students in the following respects:
1. They have received more years of education.
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 among students and Resident Directors have already been made due to the these differences. For Example, Resident Directors have larger living areas and private bathrooms, as opposed to the smaller, shared living areas and bathrooms of students. Also, children and certain significant others are permitted to reside within the private quarters of the Resident Director. Different standards are necessary in dealing with two distinctly different populations within the residence hall. This proposal encourages the Department of Housing and Residence Life to continue to acknowledge the difference between live-in professionals and students, and extend it to the ability to possess certain pets.
Pet Proposal
4
ADDRESSING THE CONCERN REGARDING THE LACK OF A PRIVATE ENTRANCE FOR SOME RESIDENT DIRECTORS:
Another concern regarding allowing Resident Directors to possess pets is that some Resident Director apartments do not possess a private entryway--when the pet may require a certain amount of "outdoor time". The concern exists due to the possibility for--what may be considered--excessive exposure of the pet to the living or public areas of the residents. In cases of students with acute allergies to, or fears of, certain pets, it is believed that accommodations can be made to minimize--if not totally eliminate--the inconvenience experienced by such students. The accommodations that Resident Directors without private entryways may be required to observe are as follows:
1. Resident Director's pets will not be permitted in the residential area of the residence
hall.
2. During transit, the Resident Director may carry the pet directly and promptly to the
nearest exit, through a public(non-residential) area of the residence hall.
It is believed that total control and restraint of the pet, and a direct and immediate transit route will effectively prevent any difficulties for students with fears of such pets and/or allergies.
Pet Proposal
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In an effort to more clearly define a pet policy for West Virginia University, the following stipulations are proposed. These stipulations are adapted from a successful pet policy at the University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point.
1. The pet may be either a cat or a dog.
2. Only dog breeds listed on the approved breed chart(See Appendix B) will be approved for
ownership. Mixed breeds may be approved; contact the Director of Housing and Residence
Life PRIOR to purchase.
3. The dog or cat must be maintained under a standard measure of restraint when outside the
apartment (leash or carrier).
4. The animal must have all required vaccinations up to date and a copy must be on file with the
Director of Housing and Residence Life.
5. The animal must be licensed and a copy of the license must be on file with the director of
Housing and Residence Life.
6. The animal's feces must be disposed of properly. It is the owner's responsibility to shovel
feces from University grounds, dispose of in a plastic bag, and then place that bag in the
garbage bins outside.
7. The pet is allowed only in the main lobby and director's apartment.
8. When bringing the pet outdoors--in the event of a lack of a private entryway--the pet must be
carried, or led on a leash, directly and promptly to the nearest exit.
9. Any and all damages caused by the animal will be the responsibility of the owner. There will
be a damage deposit in the amount of $300.00. This deposit is refundable in full or part
depending upon the cost of damages caused by or cleaning required because of the pet. If
the cost of repair, replacement, or cleaning exceeds $300.00, the owner of the pet is
responsible for the full amount. There will be an initial apartment condition inventory
completed by the hall director and checked by University Housing and Residence Life
personnel PRIOR to the pet's presence and the Director of Housing and Residence Life
maintains the right to conduct apartment inspections biannually.
10. All liability for the actions of the animal in direct contact with others (bites, scratches, etc.)
is the responsibility of the owner.
11. The owner will take all reasonable precautions to protect the property of the University and
the residents.
12. All pets will be spayed or neutered at the appropriate age. A copy of the vet report will be
on file in the Housing and Residence Life Director's office.
13. Pets which constitute a nuisance to the other residents, as determined by the Director of
Housing and Residence Life, will be removed within seven (7) days of notification by the
Director of Housing and Residence Life.
Source: 1995-1996 University Housing Staff Manual--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point
University Housing Approved Dog Breed List
originated by Kate E. Torno and Troy Richter
researched and revised by Gwen Ilseman 2/24/93
Airedale Terrier +
middle/medium
stable
very active
very active
friendly
very social-great
moderate-good
intermediate-OK
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
Black and Tan Coonhound
tall/large
stable
inactive
active
reserved
sociable-good
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
Collie #
middle/large
stable
inactive
active
friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
Dalmation
middle/large
vacillating
very active
very active
reserved
sociable-good
moderate-good
intermediate-OK
English Cocker Spaniel 1
short/small
stable
active
active
very friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
English Foxhound
middle/large
stable
very active
very active
very friendly
very social-great
none
submissive-OK
English Setter
middle/large
very stable
inactive
very active
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
Flat Coat Retriever
middle/large
very stable
inactive
very active
friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
Fox Terrier +
little/mini
stable
very active
very active
very friendly
sociable-good
high
dominant-OK
German Shorthaired Pointer
middle/large
stable
very active
very active
friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
German Wirehaired Pointer
middle/large
stable
very active
very active
reserved
sociable-good
moderate-good
intermediate-OK
Golden Retriever
middle/large
stable
active
moderate
very friendly
very social-great
none
submissive-OK
Gordon Setter
middle/large
normal
moderate
very active
reserved
sociable-good
moderate-good
submissive-OK
Harrier +
short/medium
stable
very active
very active
reserved
sociable-good
very low-great
submissive-OK
Irish Setter
tall/large
stable
very active
very active
very friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
Japanese Chin
shrimpy/pocket
stable
active
inactive
friendly
very social-great
low-great
submissive-OK
Keeshonden
middle/short
stable
active
active
friendly
sociable-good
low-great
submissive-OK
APPENDIX B (Continued):
Kerry Blue Terrier
short/small
normal
active
active
reserved
sociable-good
high
dominant-OK
Labrador Retriever
middle/large
stable
active
moderate
friendly
very soc-great
moderate-good
submissive-OK
Lakeland Terrier +
little/mini
stable
very active
very active
friendly
very soc-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 soc-great
high
dominant-OK
Norwich Terrier *
shrimpy/mini
stable
very active
very active
friendly
sociable-good
moderate-good
intermediate-OK
Pointer
tall/large
stable
very active
very active
reserved
sociable-good
low-great
intermediate-OK
Papillon
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
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
short/small
stable
active
active
friendly
sociable-good
low-great
intermediate-OK
Sussex Spaniel
little/small
vacillating
active
active
very friendly
moderate-OK
high
dominant-OK
Vizsla
middle/medium
vacillating
inactive
active
friendly
very soc-great
low-great
submissive-OK
Welsh Springer Spaniel
short/medium
normal
active
very active
reserved
moderate-OK
moderate-good
submissive-OK
Welsh Terrier +
little/mini
stable
very active
very active
friendly
sociable-good
moderate-good
intermediate-OK
West Highland White 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
Key:
Information from The Right Dog For You by Daniel Tortora, Ph.D. and The Complete Dog Book by The American Kennel Club
Pet Proposal
8
Appendix B(Continued):
Height and Weight:
Shrimpy - 5-10 inches · Pocket - less than 4 lbs.
Little - 11-15 inches · Tiny - 5-12 lbs.
Short - 16-20 inches · Mini - 13-25 lbs.
Middle - 21-25 inches · Small - 26-39 lbs.
Tall - 26-28 inches · Medium - 40-59 lbs.
Large - 60-75 lbs.
Emotional Stability: More stable=more calm in exciting events (fire alarms).
Indoor Activity: More active=more space and more patience.
Outdoor Activity: More active=more exercise needed.
Visiting Strangers: Probable reaction breed will have to strangers(residents) who visit.
Sociability with Groups: How sociable/tolerant a breed is with large groups of people.
Dominance: How a breed is likely to act toward people or other dogs.
+ - these breeds require professional grooming
# - these breeds have special coat conditions
* - barking is possibly a behavioral problem
Collie - sheds heavily for 3 weeks twice a year
Dalmation - heavy daily shedder
Keeshond - blows coat twice a year, requiring several hours of combing at these times
Note: · The information on this chart assumes that you purchase your pet from a reputable breeder. Pets purchased from pet stores often come from puppy mills. As a result, the characteristics usually associated with the breed may vary substantially, particularly with regard to temperament. Please purchase your pure bred dogs from a reputable breeder.
Information on any of these breeds is available through:
The American Kennel Club
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Pet Proposal
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Personal Statement
I acquired my dog three and a half years ago. The decision to acquire a pet was not an easy one. Being independent and comfortable--financially and in all other respects--the acquisition of a pet was a possibility. I realized, however, that the long term commitment of owning a pet is akin to that of having children. I researched different breeds and their respective needs. Realizing that I was most likely going to be living in an apartment for several years to come, it was important that the pet I acquire be totally comfortable and healthy in such an environment. Also knowing that I was most likely going to be single for a while, it was important that the pet could successfully cope with stretches of time alone during the days. A Pug was a perfect match for such a lifestyle, and when the opportunity arose, I bought one.
While I was the Resident Scholar at Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Delaware, I was permitted to live with Jasper(my dog). I found that the 100 brothers of Sig Ep were much quicker to allow me to get to know them well while in the presence of the dog. Jasper became the unofficial mascot of the fraternity--although he was solely under my care. Being exceedingly friendly, Jasper was often the focal point of amusement and always created a hub of social interaction among the brothers and myself. In effect, Jasper served as the fail-proof ice-breaker that nobody could resist.
Three and a half years ago, I could not have predicted that I would be in the student affairs field, let alone a live-in position. I am a twenty-six year-old professional, with a three and a half year-old pet. I have accepted the Resident Director position at West Virginia University because I believe it will provide me with the opportunity to take advantage of my strong points in encouraging well-rounded development in students. I strongly believe in my ability to successfully impact the lives of students and, in turn, the experience offered to students by West Virginia University. I feel that being able to do this would in no way be hampered or limited by the presence of Jasper. In fact, in several ways and for several reasons, I sincerely believe his presence would aid in my effectiveness.
Richard Horowitz
Resident Director
Stalnaker Hall
West Virginia University
Pet Proposal
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Support and/or assistance in the creation of this proposal has been recieved from the following people and/or organizations:
Rob B. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Paul Barkett - Assistant Director of Residence Life at The George Washington University
Dr. Karen Bauer - Assistant Director of Institutional Research at the University of Delaware
Craig B. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
John B. - Area Manager at West Virginia University
Coby C. - Resident Assistant at Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Brian C. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Melanie Cook - Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life at West Virginia University
Debra E. - Learning Center Director at West Virginia University
Celine F. - Coordinator of Residance Education at West Virginia University
Nancy Geist G. - Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Delaware
Heather G. - Learning Center Director at West Virginia University
Erica G. - Hall Director at Eastern Washington University
Luther G. - Director of Housing at The University of West Alabama
Jeff H. - Coordinator of Residence Judicial Programs at West Virginia University
T. Anne H. - Learning Center Coordinator at West Virginia University
Sandra S. J. - Associate Dean of Student Life at Barnard College (N.Y.)
Kevin L. - Resident Director at West Chester University
Crystal L. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Kris L. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Kathy M. - Computer Support Specialist at West Virginia University
T.R. O. - Resident Director of Arnold Hall at West Virginia University
Kerri P. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Grace R. - Area Director at the College of William and Mary
Brian R. - Resident Assistant in Stalnaker Hall at West Virginia University
Jill R. - Resident Director of Dadisman Hall at West Virginia University
Linda R. - Complex Director at SUNY--The College at New Paltz
David S. - Resident Director at University of Minnesota
Sheila W. - Resident Director of Boreman Hall at West Virginia University
Department of Housing - University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point
The Graduate Housing Office at Emory University
From the original 1998–2005 site. Details, prices and links may be out of date, so check them against your own campus policies.