Pets Allowed

As students are heading back to school and leaving their pets behind at home, The Boston Globe reports the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will let a few feline family members come along.
MIT allows cats in four of its 11 undergraduate dorms, a policy that originated as an experiment at the school several years ago and was instituted by officials as a compromise while cracking down on students harboring creatures such as frogs, rats, weasels, snakes, rabbits, turtles, and even litters of kittens. Talk about an "animal house."
Fed up with pet odors and resulting damage, a pilot program launched in 2000 gave the OK for up to two dozen cats to live on campus if students promised to abide by the quota and a "cat clause" enforced by a student "pet chair" in each of the four dorms.
Cats were chosen over dogs because they don't need to be walked and can better fend for themselves while their owners are in class. However, the cats must be registered with the pet chair. A photograph, written consent of suitemates/roommates, and health records showing proof of vaccinations and spaying or neutering are required.
Although a student's perception of pet responsibility can vary, cat ownership at college seems to come with benefits: relieving stress and serving as a social magnet. But then it's just nice to have someone who's happy to see you.