CC considers program to allow pets on Central

Four years ago, a snake’s heating lamp and a bottle of Axe deodorant started a fire in a Central Campus dorm. Today, heating lamps are no longer allowed on campus, but snakes—or at least pets—are being reconsidered.

At its meeting Thursday, Campus Council discussed the implementation of policies that would allow pets on Central Campus. The council discussed the possibility of launching a pilot pet program next year that could allow a maximum of 24 cats or dogs to join the Central community.

Central residents who wish to have a cat must submit an application including a recommendation from a non-family member and a reference who could care for the pet if the applicant could not. Members expressed concern for the abandonment and welfare of pets on campus, particularly if the program were to include animals like dogs.

“I honestly don’t trust a college student of any age to be that on top of their game,” said Facilities and Services Chair John Pryor, a junior.

In addition to care, the council discussed considerations for non-pet owners on Central and for animal waste disposal.

“If the owner doesn’t take responsibility, it would fall to the people policing the quad—that would be unfortunate,” said Vice President Alex Reese, a junior.

Still, President Stephen Temple, a junior, said he sees this project as a way to continue his mission to “make the living environments equally appealing on East, West and Central Campuses.” Other members said pets on Central would increase the overall sense of community.

In other business:

Temple said 1,300 students responded to the blast e-mail sent out Monday about cell phone reception issues on campus. Temple said the Office of Information Technology now has all the data.

“I think [this issue] is really important because of its safety ramifications,” he said.  

The Council also agreed to move $20,000 from a budget specific to Last Day of Classes funding to unallocated funding. Temple said that once the LDOC committee has formed, it can request this funding again. The Council also allocated $1,320 to the International Association’s International Food Festival.

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