Emotional Support Animals (ESA) in Residential Education And Campus Housing (REACH)

CSU Policy on Service and Emotional Support Animals for Students on Campus

Housing laws allow for emotional support animals to access Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) if the following conditions are met:

1. Student has a diagnosed mental health disability.
2. Student must demonstrate an established, ongoing personal relationship with an appropriate treating licensed medical or mental health professional.
3. Have an established relationship with the animal, verifying that the animal has mitigated the condition of the resident's disability.

Disability Services for Students (DSS), in partnership with Residential Education And Campus Housing, will determine on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, whether the animal is a necessary accommodation in Housing. Students must follow the steps below to apply for an emotional support animal:

1. Students must have applied for campus housing.
2. Register with Disability Services for Students. The first step is to complete and submit the Student Information Form.
3. Meet with a DSS Disability Management Advisor to discuss necessary documentation and the need for the animal.
4. Once the student has met with a Disability Management Advisor, students will be guided to obtain specific DSS documentation from a current mental health care provider. 

Please note that the DSS office does not accept letters from numerous online companies who (in exchange for a fee) purport to offer verification or certification of the need for an emotional support animal.

5. Once documentation has been reviewed and determined appropriate, the student will receive a referral to continue the ESA approval process with REACH.  

Please note that the ESA request is not approved until a Housing  Addendum has been signed via the REACH office.  ESA’s can only access campus housing after this final step has been completed.   Failure to comply can result in judicial issues.   

Emotional support animals only have access to the residential community.  Emotional Support Animals may be removed from Housing and Residential Education for some, but not all of the following:

1. The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others;
2. The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of a University program;
3. The Owner does not comply with the lease addendum; or
4. The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the Housing community.