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UNK reaches settlement with Justice Dept. in housing lawsuit

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska at Kearney says it will enact new student housing policies and pay $140,000 to settle a Justice Department lawsuit that accused the university of violating federal law by not allowing assistance animals in student housing.

The settlement filed Thursday follows a 2011 lawsuit on a behalf of a former student, Brittany Hamilton, who had asked to keep a dog in her university apartment to cope with depression and anxiety.

The university has agreed to adopt policies that will allow students to apply for "reasonable accommodations." Students without an obvious disability may be required to provide a doctor's note saying the accommodation is necessary.

The university maintains that it didn't violate any laws. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen says the settlement helps avoid a costly trial.

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