3-04 Service Animals

Rationale and Purpose

Greenville Technical College is committed to providing equal access to employment and educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. In keeping with these commitments, service animals are permitted on college property for persons with disabilities in accordance with relevant state and federal laws. The purpose of his policy is to ensure employees, students and service animals are kept safe.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of Greenville Technical College that the Service Animal Administrative Policy shall govern the presence of service animals on Greenville Technical College campuses and protect the rights of individuals who require a service animal.

The accompanying procedure outlines the roles and responsibilities for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for employees, students and service animals while providing equal access to employment and educational opportunities.

Scope

Service animals are allowed to accompany their handlers at all times and in all facilities and programs on campus, except in areas where specifically prohibited due to health, environmental or safety hazards (e.g. laboratories, mechanical rooms, machine shops, custodial closets and areas where there is a danger to the animal). The college may not permit service animals when the animal poses a substantial and/or direct threat to health or safety or when the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program or service. The college will make those determinations on a case-by-case basis in alignment with current state and federal laws.

Roles/Responsibilities

Handlers are expected to maintain control of service animals at all times and are responsible for the animal’s behavior, vaccinations, waste cleanup and cost associated with the aforementioned. 

Employees should contact the Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students or the Office of Disability Services for specific questions regarding service animals.

All complaints or grievances will be handled with the Dean of Students or the Associate Dean of Students.  This procedure must be initiated by the student within fifteen (15) instructional days of becoming aware of the decision, action or event giving rise to the grievance.

Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with/follow this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.