Students with Disabilities (ADA)

Helene Fuld College of Nursing complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 0f 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided for students with documented disabilities. Based on documentation from a qualified practitioner, the College will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a need exists and, if so, what accommodations are appropriate. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires an institution of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a documented disability, provided that this accommodation does not create an undue hardship on the institution. An undue hardship refers to any accommodation that would be unduly costly, expensive, substantially disruptive, or that would fundamentally alter the nature of the program. A student who requests special accommodations due to a disability must contact the Office of Student Services (room 300) for a copy of the Disability Service Package that includes the Special Needs Self‐Disclosure Form and the Documentation Guidelines. All requests for accommodations must be submitted to the Office of Student Services at least thirty days before the beginning of the quarter/semester for which accommodation is needed. The request along with documentation will be presented to the Disability Services Committee and the student will be notified in writing of the decision.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Helene Fuld College of Nursing complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, gender, veteran status, religion, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or qualified handicap in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to school programs and activities, including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, and educational services.

Inquiries regarding this policy should be addressed to the Director of Student Affairs in the Office of Student Services. Her office is room 300 or she can be reached by calling (212) 616‐7271. Information shared is held in the strictest confidence.

Service Animal

The College has the right to request/ask for:

• Affirmation that the service animal is required due to disability
• A description of the specific tasks or work the animal has been trained to perform
• If needed, documentation that the service animal complies with all required New York State and New York City requirements associated with licensing, vaccinations, and other health regulations.

Important Note Regarding Service Animals: The College may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations because of health and safety restrictions (e.g. where the animals may be in danger, or where their use may compromise the integrity of research). Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to, the following areas: custodial closets, boiler rooms, facility equipment rooms, research laboratories, classrooms with research/demonstration animals, areas where protective clothing is necessary, wood and metal shops, motor pools, rooms with heavy machinery, and areas outlined in state law as being inaccessible to animals.

Responsibilities of the Owner of Service Animals

Standards for Maintaining a Service or Approved Emotional Support Animal

• The approved animal is the sole responsibility of the owner
• The owner is responsible for the overall health and well-being of the animal. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Vaccinations: Following local ordinances and regulations, the animal must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. Dogs must have current vaccination against rabies and wear a rabies vaccination tag. Students are responsible for determining local licensing requirements for an animal. Proof of health and immunizations must be provided to the College before the animal arrives on campus and can be requested as necessary. An updated statement of health may be requested annually.
  • The college has the authority to direct that the animal receives veterinary attention if it is deemed necessary
  • The college reserves the right to request documentation showing that the animal has been licensed (e.g., New York law requires that every dog be licensed and provides that service dogs are exempt from the license fee).

Service Animals may travel freely with their owner throughout the College unless otherwise specified (i.e. an area that is deemed unsafe). A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or another tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or another tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or another tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

Standards for Interaction with the Community

• The owner is responsible for assuring that the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the College or cause difficulties for students and faculty. Excessive noises and behaviors such as barking and whining, chewing and scratching, and aggression will not be permitted. The animal should not have access to another person’s belongings or private space and should be kept clean.
• The owner is responsible for instructing others on appropriate interactions with the animal and setting clear expectations.
• The owner is financially responsible for the actions of the animal, including bodily injury or property damage. The owner’s responsibility covers but is not limited to the replacement of furniture, carpet, window, wall covering, and the like. The owner is expected to cover these costs at the time of repair.
• The owner is responsible for any expenses incurred for cleaning above and beyond a standard cleaning or for repairs to College premises that are assessed after the student and animal vacate the residence. The College shall have the right to bill the student owner’s account for unmet obligations.
• The owner is responsible for ensuring the cleanup of the animal’s waste and, when appropriate, must toilet the animal outdoors. Outdoor animal waste must follow New York City laws regarding outside waste.
• Approved animals may not be cared for by another student. Animals must be taken with the student if they leave campus or external arrangements for care must be planned for their departure/absence.

Additional Agreements

• The owner agrees to continue to abide by all other college policies. Reasonable accommodation which may constitute an exception to a policy that otherwise would prohibit having an animal does not constitute an exception to any other policy.
• A student may be ordered to remove their Service Animal by an appropriate HFCN representative for the following reasons:
  • Out of control animal: A student owner may be directed to remove an animal that is out of control and the owner does not take effective action to recover control. If the improper animal behavior happens repeatedly, the Owner may be prohibited from keeping the animal in HFCN until the Owner can demonstrate that they have taken significant steps to mitigate the proper behavior.
  • Non-housebroken animal: An Owner may be directed to remove an animal that is not housebroken.
  • Direct Threat: An owner may be directed to remove an animal that HFCN determines to be a substantial and direct threat to the health and safety of individuals. This may occur as a result of a very ill animal, threatening or aggressive behavior of the animal, or substantial lack of cleanliness of the animal.
  • Mistreated/neglected animal: A student owner may be directed to remove an animal if they demonstrate the inability to adequately care for the animal and prompt corrective action is not taken.
• Any violation of the above rules or incidence of other violations may result in immediate removal of the animal from the College and may result in discipline for the student.