College and University Blog
Pets on Campus: Some Colleges are Opening Their Doors to Man's Best Friend
Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri has drawn the attention of some with regard to their policy on pets: its A-OK.
According to a recent NYTimes article, thirty inbound freshmen are planning to bring their pets to college this fall. This number represents a 20% increase from last year’s enrollment, obliging the college to redevelop dorm space into a pet-friendly commune called Pet Central. The dorm space will provide a stopgap, student-staffed kennel for short-term care.
Pets on Campus, Student Therapy
Interestingly, there seems to be a psychological aim to Stephens’ concession to pet-friendly dorms. The idea that the presence of the family pet will lessen a student’s anxiety over the transition of moving away from home has driven much of the energy and resource to make the campus more pet accessible.
“Stephens is hoping to smooth the transition of some students who may be so anxious about leaving home or adjusting to college life that a stuffed animal will not be of sufficient comfort. They want the real thing.” _(Steinberg/NYT)
Several concerns have been raised, however, that seeking out ways to connect these overwrought students with home by bringing family pets could risk what some call “helicopter parenting,” a term used based upon the trend of parents who continue to keep their young adult children within an arm’s length, not allowing them to progress in basic adult decision making and betterment.
Dianne Lynch, Stephens College President, acknowledged the possible implication yet still felt the importance of easing the pressure. She told the New York Times,