Nondiscrimination & Disability Accommodations

Southeastern University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations pursuant to the American’s with Disabilities Act and other relevant laws. These guidelines provide information regarding the accommodation process for individuals using service animals.

A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability.

Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

Visitors

In the event that a member of the community is attending an event or using the library they will not be asked to document a disability to bring a service animal onto campus. Questions or concerns regarding the appropriateness of a service animal being on campus are to be brought to the attention of Academic & Auxiliary Services.

Students

Southeastern University students who use a service animal on campus are requested to register with Academic & Auxiliary Services.

General Requirements for Individuals Using Service Animals

Except for licensing and vaccination requirements, SEU will make reasonable accommodations for individuals who are not able to comply with these requirements due to disability.

1. A service animal will be permitted to accompany a person with a disability unless:
   
   • The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
   • The animal fundamentally alters the nature of the place, services or activities.
   • The environment poses a threat to the health or safety of the service animal.
   • The animal poses an undue burden.
   • The animal is unruly or disruptive.
   • Note: Except in an immediate safety situation, Academic & Auxiliary Services should be contacted prior to excluding a service animal.
2. The animal must be immunized in accordance with the county and/or city requirements where the animal is being brought on to SEU property.
3. The animal must be licensed in accordance with the county and/or city requirements where the animal is being used, and must display the license as required by that county or city.
4. The user must be in control of the animal at all times while on SEU property.
5. The care and control of the animal is solely the responsibility of its user.
6. The user must clean up the animal’s waste.
7. The user is responsible for damage caused by the animal.

Emotional Support Animal Guidelines

Southeastern University welcomes Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) based on the Fair Housing Act (FHA). ESAs provide a measure of support and comfort to individuals with qualifying disabilities. ESAs are a prescribed part of therapy for emotional and psychological disabilities and serve to alleviate symptoms of the disability.

There is much confusion about the role of ESAs; they are often mistaken for Service Animals. ESAs are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. ESAs provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and can help to reduce symptoms of psychiatric disabilities and mental impairments, such as depression, anxiety, and certain phobias. ESAs differ from service animals in that they do not have specialized training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities.

Unlike a service animal that has access to public places where pets are not typically allowed, an ESA has limited access to places of public accommodation. Under the FHA, an ESA is a reasonable accommodation in a housing unit that has a no pet policy for its residents. Therefore, ESAs are permitted in residence halls, but are restricted to a student’s room and can only leave for nature breaks. ESAs are not allowed in classrooms, campus buildings, common rooms or areas in the residence halls, or campus events. ESAs must be under the control of their owner at all times, cannot be left alone overnight, and cannot be cared for by another student.

 Below is a chart highlighting the differences between ESAs and Service Animals.

Steps to Register with the Housing Department of Southeastern University:

1. 1. Submit appropriate documentation of your disability with the application.
   2. Provide evidence to the Housing Department that the animal is in good health and has been vaccinated against diseases common to its breed of animal as recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association.  Veterinary records attesting to the fact must be submitted and approved before the animal takes residence on campus.
   3. Meet with the Director of Housing to review the Housing Agreement and Expectations policy.
   4. Southeastern University Housing Department:  863-667-5148; studenthousing@seu.edu

Documentation Requirements:

• Be in the form of a letter or report from a psychologist, psychiatrist or other licensed clinician who is qualified to make the diagnosis and is currently treating you for the disability for which you are requesting the ESA.

• Be on official letterhead and should be signed and dated within the last three years.

• Include a specific diagnosis, a statement of your current condition, the date and a summary of your most recent evaluation, and the expected duration of your condition.

• State the current impact of (or functional limitations) imposed by the condition on your living situation.

• Explain how the condition relates to your request for an ESA.  There must be a direct link established between the condition and your requested ESA and include which symptoms are alleviated by the ESA.

• Clearly state a specific recommendation for an ESA as a result of the condition.

• Include evidence that the provider is currently treating you for the condition for which the ESA is requested.

Application Review

The Director of Housing will review the application once it is submitted with the appropriate documentation.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  Documentation requirements are firm and are not flexible.  You will be notified if any documentation is missing. If the documentation meets the requirements, you will be contacted to schedule an accommodation meeting with the Director of Housing.  

Housing Assignment

You must contact SEU’s Housing Department with questions or concerns about your room assignment and/or your housing contract.

Student’s Responsibilities for the Emotional Support Animal:

• Provide your ESA’s health care and daily needs.
• Ensure your ESA is under your control at all times.
• Ensure you are the sole care provider for your ESA.  No one else should care for the animal.
• Ensure the ESA is not left alone except for when you attend class and other academically related activities.  They should not be left alone overnight, weekends, or holidays.
• Clean and appropriately dispose of the animal’s waste.
• Understand that any damage caused by the ESA is your financial responsibility.

Please note: If the ESA poses a health, safety, or welfare threat to the campus community, you will be requested to remove the ESA from the campus.