The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to assuring equal access for disabled students, staff and faculty, as well as guests and visitors to the campus. It is the university’s policy to permit emotional support and / or assistance animals on a case-by-case basis, to reside in the residence hall with a student with a documented disability as a reasonable accommodation.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit (for example: emotional support, comfort, companionship) to a person with a diagnosed mental health or psychiatric disability, and is typically part of the treatment for an applicant's condition. When making the request, the applicant and their provider should confirm that the animal provides the needed therapeutic benefit and will not interfere with treatment goals. The applicant and their provider have determined that the therapeutic benefits of this relationship are necessary for access to living on campus.

The university only allows the use of emotional support/assistance animals in the residence halls and relief areas. Dangerous, poisonous or illegal animals, or animals that can carry zoonotic diseases, are not permitted on campus.

Procedures

Care of Support Animals

Individuals with disabilities who use emotional support/assistance animals are responsible for:

  • Attending to the wellbeing and cleanliness of their animal.
  • Always maintaining control of their animal and not disrupting others (otherwise animal may be removed).
  • Having a plan in place for animal care in case of emergency.
  • Arranging alternative shelter if the animal must be removed from campus due to disruptive, unsafe, or environmental conditions, or if the handler becomes unable to care for the service animal.
  • Ensuring the cleanup of the animal's waste and, when appropriate, must use relief areas designated by the university consistent with the reasonable capacity of the owner. Indoor animal waste, such as cat litter, must be placed in a study plastic bag and securely tied up before being disposed of in outside trash dumpsters. Litter boxes should be placed on mats so that waste is not tracked onto carpeted surfaces.

Relief areas may be designated on an individual basis in collaboration with the office of Residence Life and university grounds personnel.

University staff is not required to provide food or care for service animals.

Removal of Approved Animals

The university may exclude or remove an approved animal when one or more of the following conditions have been met:

  • The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
  • The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of the university’s program.
  • The owner does not comply with owner’s responsibilities in university housing.
  • The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the university community.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal the university’s decision regarding service or support animals to the office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach. In all cases, a detailed, written appeal must be submitted within five (5) class days after written notification of the decision. The student must write an appeal letter that specifically addresses the reason for the appeal. The written appeal will be reviewed and the student will be notified in writing on the status of the case.

Important Animal Distinction

Emotional Support Animals are NOT considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and MUST BE approved and registered through the Disability Services office for students and/or the office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach for faculty and staff.