For many on campus, leaving home means leaving your pet behind.
But for residential directors and coordinators, cats are now an exception to the universitywide rule.
Miles McCarey is a vibrant presence in James Hall on West Green, and he’s not even an Ohio University student or residential housing employee.
Miles, a West Highland white terrier, is one of three domesticated pets living in OU’s dorms, but that number may soon increase after a recent change to residential housing’s policies.
As soon as early March, RCs and RDs will be allowed to own one cat, said Executive Director of Residential Housing Pete Trentacoste.
According to residential housing’s site, RCs and RDs are full-time, on-site professionals who are responsible for a residence hall or complex.
“I think our executive director was working hard at it for a long time, but it’s one of those things that people get emotionally invested in,” said Micah McCarey, residential coordinator of James Hall and Miles’ owner.
Since the 2009-10 academic year, pets of any kind, with the exception of fish, were not allowed in residence halls for RCs and RDs.
Miles, as well as one other cat and dog, were grandfathered in and allowed to stay on campus prior to the initial change.
“Any pet can cause challenges,” Trentacoste said of the decision to allow only cats. “I’m a dog owner myself, so I appreciates dogs, but living in the residence halls, that can be more difficult.”
Besides service animals, OU students are only allowed to have fish. The allowance of comfort animals, which can be used for therapeutic reasons, is currently “in question,” Trentacoste said.
Owners are required to send in an application that includes an updated list of vaccinations and proof that a veterinarian has administered flea treatment to the animal.
Although cats will not be allowed to leave an RC or RD’s apartment unless in a pet carrier, owners are welcome to allow students to see them, much like Micah does with Miles and the residents of James Hall.
“It would make college feel like home,” Dustin Roth, a sophomore studying anthropology, said of the policy change. “It would certainly help with stress release.”
Because many RCs and RDs live with their family, the decision was partially made to make the position more attractive for potential hires.
As of Monday, two staff members have applied to have a cat. Trentacoste expects more applications will soon follow.
“I think this is a really helpful thing for the staff,” he said.
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