Universities should allow more pets in dorms

College is a hive filled with stress — whether it’s work, test or paper-related. Often this stress can be overwhelming to deal with.

Unfortunately, most colleges have decided that students need to have a legitimate reason for keeping animals in the dorms – dorms these students are paying to stay in. The main reason animals are allowed is if the student has proof of some sort of mental illness.

Mental illness should be treated with delicacy and understanding, because many don’t feel comfortable revealing to others that they have a mental illness.

When a student receives permission from the university to have an animal, there’s a sign placed outside of the student’s dorm room, which sends a signal to others that he or she might have some sort of mental illness.

Mental illness shouldn’t be advertised. Regardless of health, all students should be allowed the option of keeping a pet in their room in order to relieve stress.

There should be some sort of policy that allows students to pay an extra fee and paired up with a roommate without allergies or wouldn’t mind having an animal in the dorms.

Pets provide comfort – even their mere presence allows people to feel calm and think more clearly.

Knowing that there’s always going to be a friendly, furry face to greet them on days that were horrible and gloomy will provide peace.

Universities allow students to keep pets in their rooms without having students advertise the reasons why.

Allowing students to have animals, regardless of health concerns, will make college and studying easier to cope with in the long run.