Dogs and cats should go to college, too, some schools say

SANDUSKY — When college freshmen head off to school this fall, a few of them will get to bring along a dog or cat.Southeast Missouri State University in Missouri announced it will begin letting students bring pets to the dorms this fall.It's still not a common practice, but a few other U.S. colleges and universities are allowing pets in the dorms. Bowling Green State University, however, has no plans to allow pets on its main campus.Southeast Missouri State, located on the Mississippi River city of Cape Girardeau, announced earlier this month that as a pilot program, it will begin allowing small dogs, cats and caged small animals on some floors of one of its dormitories.A university official said the school decided to try allowing pets after getting many requests from students."In many cases, students grew up with pets and they have told us they are looking for a college that will permit their animal to come with them," said Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success.Southeast Missouri State is not the only school allowing pets in a dorm.The Washington Post reported on April 11 that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has allowed cats in some dorms since 2000. Other pet-friendly schools include Pfeiffer University in North Carolina, the University of Northern Colorado, Eckerd College in Florida and Stephens College, also located in Missouri.Officials are Bowling Green State University, however, aren't climbing on the bandwagon, or even running after it and barking."We as a university are not having conversation around allowing pets similar to Southeast Missouri State," wrote Joshua D. Lawrie, director of the Office of Residence Life at BGSU, in an email to the Register.Although BGSU is not interested in allowing pets, it does accommodate students with disabilities who need service animals.Lawrie said prospective Falcons have expressed little interest in bringing along their pets."We have not received any questions around bringing an animal outside of the ones noted in the policy," he wrote, referring to the policy allowing service animals.Terra State Community College in Fremont is opening a student housing complex this fall with 200 to 220 beds, but if you want to move in, you'll have to leave your furry friend behind."The Landings at Terra Village will not allow dogs or cats in the student housing with the exception of service animals or emotional support animals," said Sandra Berlekamp, president of the Terra Village Holdings Board. Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Southeast Missouri State University envisions dorm scenes such as these when students are allowed to bring their pets with them. Southeast Missouri State University says it is responding to student demand by allowing pets in dorms.