Rat sets lab pet policy
By: Maggie Carlson
Issue date: 2/18/04 Section: News
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A Webster University computer lab may not be a likely place to see "No Pets Allowed" signs, but Information Technology (IT) recently hung them up after a student brought his pet rat to the lab.
IT had no explicit rule on pets, so the department had to discuss the issue the day the rodent was in the lab, according to Vice President of Information Technology Larry Haffner.
There were no consequences for the student, who said that nothing indicated pets were not allowed, but IT decided to put the signs up the next day.
"I assume that most people would understand that being disruptive in a shared work space ... is simply rude and is not appropriate," Haffner said.
With the exception of the residence halls and the Webster Village Apartments, most places on campus do not have specific rules regarding pets.
Students who live on campus are allowed to have animals that can only survive in water, but this does not mean students have not tried to own other animals.
Karen Rasure, the coordinator of housing and residential life, said students have occasionally tried to keep other pets in their dorm rooms, but she knows of only one incident in the past year and a half.
Because it depends on the situation, there are no specific penalties for students who bring in non-sanctioned pets, according to Rasure.
"Sanctions for violations of any of our policies depend on the particular situation and severity. Types of sanctions include no sanctions (warning), educational sanctions, monetary fines, residential probation and removal from housing," Rasure said.
The apartments specifically address the pet policy in the lease.
