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Let the animal house jokes begin.

At Florida’s Stetson University in Deland, Nemec Hall begins the semester with 31 students and 20 pets. The roster includes eight cats, seven dogs, two rats, two guinea pigs and a fish, according to an AP story.

The dorm policy allows fish, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, mice, cats and dogs under 30 pounds. Pit bulls, rottweilers, chows, akita and wolf breeds are prohibited. Rowdy or aggressive animals can be sent home.

According to the Orlando Sentinel:

Stetson is not the first college to have a pet-friendly dorm, but it’s among the relatively few schools — perhaps a dozen or so across the country — that have formal policies and accommodations. Stetson officials say the dorms could become a recruitment tool that helps set the school apart, just as big schools such as the University of Central Florida entice students with football stadiums, basketball arenas and trendy eateries.

The idea behind the dorm is to give students — freshmen, in particular — a familiar presence as they make the sometimes stressful transition from home to campus.

“What better way to do that than to have a family friend there to greet you when you get out of class?” said Justin Williams, the university’s director of housing and residential life.

Via: Chron.com