On August 31, 2026, Cheese was taken from campus by Animal Control after school administrators decided to contact them. Cheese has been a beloved presence on campus for several years, visiting peacefully without causing any known issues, and many students were shocked to see that change happen during school hours.
The way this was handled matters. Several students witnessed Cheese being removed and were visibly upset, and that kind of sudden disruption can leave a lasting impression on the school community. When a peaceful, familiar animal is removed in a traumatic way, it does not just affect the cat — it affects the students and staff who see how the school chooses to respond.
This incident also sends the wrong message about judgment and priorities. It creates a negative tone on campus, uses staff time and educational attention, and raises concerns about whether valuable public resources are being used wisely. If nothing changes, students may continue to feel unheard, and the school may miss an opportunity to make a calm, humane decision that reflects the students values.
The solution is simple: Cheese should be allowed back on campus under a clear, sensible arrangement that protects both the school and the cat. The school can set reasonable boundaries if needed, but the goal should be to restore the peaceful presence that students have come to value.
We ask the school administration to stop focusing on removing a peaceful animal, our sweet and kind Cheese and allow his return to campus as soon as possible, and if a situation like this arises again in the future, that the school will NOT call Animal Control to have Cheese removed. This should never have happened. The school should also establish a clear policy so a situation like this is handled transparently, humanely, and without distressing students again. There was some confusion on announcements made that day on campus by the administration that led to further confusion and misinformation, further distressing the student body and faculty.
Cheese has been part of the campus atmosphere for years. Bringing him back would show good judgment, respect for students, and a commitment to handling a small issue in a thoughtful way rather than a disruptive one.