It is either a sign of the Apocalypse or a positive trend, depending on your view, but more colleges are allowing students to bring their pets to live with them at college. Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, is renovating a dorm into "Pet Central" to accommodate the 30 incoming freshmen who have requested to bring their pets. And Stephens is not alone. Approximately a dozen colleges specifically allow for pets. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) allows cats in some dorm rooms, as does SUNY-Canton. Eckerd College and Washington & Jefferson College both allow dogs, cats and other animals to live with their student-owners. Eckerd even allows snakes, as long as they are under six feet long and nonvenemous. Some say that pet-friendly policies are becoming necessary as part of the heavy competition for students. Others argue that it could be a symptom of a greater separation anxiety for the student leaving home for college, could slow the transition to independence and provide a mechanism that students could use to avoid contact with other humans. Hmmm, an interesting psychological dilemma. But it's not all fun and games for the student/pet owner either. Stephens, Eckerd and W&J have all established Pet Councils (students and faculty are members) to enforce a pet code of conduct, which can include a ban on loud barking. Violations are punishable by removal from the dorm. So, if bringing Fido to college has been your dream, there is a college out there that will welcome both of you - just make sure he doesn't bark too loud.
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