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I'm looking at attending the University of Washington, but I noticed under their housing rules that if your under 20, you MUST live on campus or with a parent or guardian. This doesn't work for me because I have two large dogs I will be taking with me and I figured I'd get an apartment/cheap rental house near the campus. My question is: do schools make individual exceptions in cases like mine? What do students with pets do? Do a large number of schools have similar housing rules?

By California Mom (Calmom) on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 05:22 pm: Edit

Most dorms prohibit pets, although some allow small animals such as goldfish or hamsters. My son's college doesn't even allow dogs on campus -- one somewhat disappointing aspect is that there is not a dog in sight. Then again, it's pretty safe to sit down on any of the well-manicured lawns -- you don't have to worry about what you might step in or sit on.

I would guess that you simply have to make a choice of another college that doesn't require you to live on campus, or another choice for your dogs. Even off-campus, it's very hard to find apartments or affordable housing where pets are allowed, especially with two large dogs. I don't think any colleges make exceptions to no-dog rules, unless of course the student is blind and has a guide dog.

By Domer97 on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 - 09:31 am: Edit

You've got the start of a great idea, Calmom!

Dana, get some dark glasses & a white cane, & fit out one of your dogs with a guide handle. Tell 'em the second dog is a backup for the first. Demand a single dorm room, or even a private suite, to accommodate your special needs. Maybe a refrigerator for your medication (think of some other ailment for that), and a custom audio system so you can listen to books on tape. Reasonable accommodations, right? Dogs are chick magnets, too - with two big ones, you'll be super popular. If it works, you can write a book about it.