Ferris State University in Michigan is breaking the mold by welcoming pets into its dorms, a move aimed at catering to students who can’t bear to part with their furry companions. As classes kick off for the semester, the university has rolled out a unique housing program allowing pets on one floor of Cramer Hall on the Big Rapids campus.
This unconventional approach to dorm life sets Ferris State apart, as most colleges typically prohibit pets in student residences. However, Ferris State believes in the benefits of allowing pets to accompany students, citing the positive impact on mental health and well-being. Pets can provide much-needed emotional support for students grappling with depression, anxiety, and homesickness.
Lisa Ortiz, Ferris State’s director of Housing and Residential Life, explains the rationale behind the program: “Students may really miss that dog they’ve had since they were a little kid or that cat they got when they were 12 years old. Sometimes the answer is to bring a little bit of home with them.”
Under this new policy, each student is permitted to have only one pet, and there are some eligibility criteria. Students must have owned their pets for at least six months, ensuring that newcomers aren’t hastily adopted. Additionally, proof of vaccinations and spaying/neutering is required, and students pay an extra $250 for the privilege of having their pets on campus.
The university, which boasts an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students, points to research highlighting the advantages of pet ownership, such as companionship, improved health, and motivation for physical fitness.
Cramer Hall was chosen for this pet-friendly initiative due to its vinyl flooring, which is easier to clean than carpet, according to Ortiz.
While Ferris State’s program is a rarity, a handful of other institutions across the United States have explored pet-friendly dorm options. Eckerd College in Florida, known for its annual pet graduation ceremony, started welcoming students and their pets to dorms in the early 1970s. Stephens College in Missouri proudly bills itself as the “pet-friendliest campus on the planet” and has been accommodating various pets on campus for over a decade.
Studies, like one published in the Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs in 2021, suggest that pet ownership can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, further supporting the notion that allowing pets in dorms can be beneficial for students’ overall well-being.
Ferris State’s innovative approach to student housing demonstrates the evolving landscape of college life, with more institutions considering pet-friendly options to meet the diverse needs and preferences of their students.
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