Has anyone looked at the new Housing Contract for next year? You know, the thing you scroll to the bottom of in order to register for GRS? Well, guess what. For no justifiable reason given, ResLife in association with Physical Plant has overturned their established rule which previously allowed Wesleyan students to keep caged pets such as rabbits, iguanas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, adorably charming hedgehogs named Winston Q. Hugglesworth, III…well, you get the idea. In fact, this year, Aliza Simons of the Argus wrote a feature about the diversity of cute, lovable pets currently residing at Wesleyan.
Well, not anymore. The new housing contract includes the following: “Pets are not allowed in University housing. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits, and all other caged animals. The only exceptions are for fish in tanks no larger than 10 gallons.” Now, turn the knife counter-clockwise, ResLife. Without consultation or justification, ResLife decides…what, exactly? That small pets are a threat to homeland security? Carriers of bird flu? What? Do you mind telling us?
And what, exactly, does ResLife propose we do with the pets we have all legally obtained under the old rules? Set them loose? Run free, little rats! All over Olin! P.Plant doesn’t mind, so long as you aren’t in the dorm room safely nestled in your cage.
This is a rule that requires a phasing-out period in order to be feasibly implemented. You cannot suddenly ban small pets like you can ban hot plates or candles. These are living things that we take care of, not cooking appliances. If ResLife is against us keeping these pets, ResLife better damn well build a facility where we can keep them on campus or find loving homes for all of our pets, including the snakes, crayfish, chirping crickets and especially the rats. If you’re as pissed off as I am about this new rule, write to ResLife. Write to Physical Plant. Take it to the administration. This is a ridiculous rule based on absolutely no justification and made with absolutely no input from the student body. Take a stand and sign this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/WesPets/petition.html
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