Learning Commons Manual & Resources

If a patron is bothered by another patron's phone conversation, delicately approach the person on the phone and ask them to lower their voice. 

Board policy states that minors are not allowed in computer labs. Minors are not permitted to be on any LC computers or use our Laptops.

Children are supposed to be with their parent or guardian. Contact the police if the minor is unaccompanied.

With that we all wanted to share some basic service animal facts:

1. Service animals are only dogs or in limited circumstances miniature horses. No other type of animal can be a service animal.
2. If a person says that their dog is a service animal and it is not clear what task the animal is performing (i.e. it isn’t a guide dog for a blind person), then we are legally allowed to ask 2 questions:
   1. Is this a service dog required because of a disability?
   2. What work or task has it been individually trained to perform?

3. Some people don’t quite understand what “work” or “task” means, so it can be helpful to have someone like the campus Disability Services Manager provide feedback on whether the answer was appropriate if the questions were asked by an alternate staff member. For example, “providing comfort” is not a task. Tasks would be something like “the dog licks my hand to alert me to XXX” (blood sugar being low, impending seizure, etc.). Or “the dog picks up items that I drop and brings them to me.”
4. In Texas, service dogs in training are provided the same access as fully trained service animals, as long as they can meet behavioral standards and are with a qualified handler.
5. All service dogs and service dogs in training must meet appropriate behavioral standards. Here are the items I typically discuss with individuals when I know they have an animal and I’ve already asked the two questions:
   1. Unless the individual’s disability prevents it or the work or task is not possible while leashed, the dog should be leashed and under the handler’s control at all times. I normally explain that this means that the dog must go with them everywhere, to the restroom, class, the student center, etc. and should never be left alone (i.e. a professor should not leave the dog in their office unattended).
   2. The dog must not be disruptive to the learning/working environment, which is mostly covered by the items C-F below.
   3. No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals – no biting, snapping, snarling, growling, lunging or barking.
   4. No sniffing merchandise or people or intruding into another’s space while on duty.
   5. Works calmly on leash. No unruly behavior or unnecessary vocalizations in public settings.
   6. No urinating or defecating in public unless given a specific command or signal to toilet in an appropriate place.

Here is a link to the ADA quick guide on Service Animals: https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

As always please let me know if you have any questions. 

Luis Rodriguez

Manager Disability Services 

Lone Star College – Kingwood

Phone: 281-312-8469

Email: luis.rodriguez@lonestar.edu

It is not permitted to vape in any of the buildings or open spaces on campus. If a student denies doing it in the Learning Commons, politely remind them that we have cameras throughout the space and if someone is engaging in that kind of the behavior, the police will need to be called.