United States v. University of Nebraska at Kearney (D. Neb.)

On September 4, 2015, the court entered a consent order in United States v. University of Nebraska at Kearney ("UNK") (D. Neb.), in which the United States alleged that two former students with disabilities were denied the right to keep assistance animals in their university apartments. The complaint, filed on November 23, 2011, also alleged that UN K's no-pet policy, which exempted animals owned by Residence Hall Directors and service animals under the ADA, constituted a pattern or practice of discrimination. Under the consent order, UNK will: (1) pay $140,000 to the two former students who sought and were denied reasonable accommodations to keep assistance animals; and (2) change its housing policy to allow persons with psychological disabilities to keep animals with them in university housing where such animals provide necessary therapeutic benefits.