By Jonathon Lund
As part of a pilot program, Edgewood College will allow pets to live in Siena Apartments next fall in hopes of attracting more upper-classmen to live on campus.
The shift in policy by Edgewood College comes after residence life surveys told the administration that students wanted to have pets.
Pets that are allowed include cats, dogs under 40 pounds, and fish in a 10-gallon or smaller tank. The Office of Residence Life may approve other types of animals on a case-by-case basis.
But aggressive dog breeds, rodents, snakes, spiders, amphibians, or other animals that can’t be vaccinated aren’t allowed to live on campus.
Other requirements:
- Cats and dogs have to be at least one year old and spayed or neutered.
- They must be house-trained or litter box trained
- They must be current with vaccinations
- They must be registered with the city, and
- They must wear a collar or other tags.
The pet policy was formed after an extensive look at similar policies put in place other colleges.
“We first started to look at similar institutions and compared ourselves with them as well as looking at the best practices when it comes to our situation,” said Holland McCrea Olson, assistant director for student success and orientation.
“In the end, we formed a policy that I believe is the best for the community well-being of both students and animals.”
The change is meant to attract more upperclassmen to live nearer campus to foster a more diverse community.
“Overall I’m very excited about the opportunity,” said McCrea Olson. “Each year policies are evaluated to find ways to increase resident satisfaction, and Siena is the perfect place for this pilot program.”
There are strict guidelines as to what kind of pet a student living in Siena can have along with a list of requirements for both the owner and their pet.
The official Upper-Class Siena Apartments Domestic Animal Pet Policy and Agreement says:
“The future of this pet policy and privilege rests on the successful administration of the policy and the willingness of students to abide by and enforce the policy. Every pet owner is encouraged to consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of the campus environment for their pet. This policy does not apply to animals used as a service or emotional support animal.”
The application process is simple:
- Complete and submit an upper-class Siena apartments pet agreement
- Pay a non-refundable $250 pet fee. Fees must be paid before arrival on campus
- Submit a recent picture of the pet, along with recent pet veterinarian records and current vaccinations, copies of insurance coverage for the pet, and proof of current registration with the City of Madison for cats and dogs.
Students are given a two-week grace period for their pet to become adjusted, and they are responsible for the grooming, cleanliness, and disruption caused by their pet.
Each apartment structure will have a coordinator to ensure the community well-being.
“I have faith in the history and front-end requirements we have in place for students to have a pet live with them on campus, “said McCrea Olson.
Olson also said that it is up to the community as well as individual pet owners to allow this program to work, “communication is key to maintaining the health of pets and people in the community.”
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