The university recently approved an official student club for members of the “furry” subculture, responding to what administrators describe as a “growing” demand on campus. The club, called “Plattsfur,” was approved last month by the school’s Student Association in an 11–1 vote.

According to The College Fix, the group exists to provide “a safe space for furries to socialize and create content.” Furries are individuals who dress up in full-body animal costumes and identify with anthropomorphic animal characters, often ones they create themselves, known as “fursonas.”

Junior anthropology major Styx Williams told student government members that the club started informally among friends who discovered they were all part of the furry community. That small group, Williams said, has now grown large enough to warrant official recognition.

The furry subculture includes self-described fans, artists, writers, gamers, and role-players, with sub-genres ranging from wolves and foxes to dragons and so-called “Bronies,” adult men who dress as characters from My Little Pony.

SUNY Plattsburgh is far from alone. Furry clubs have been popping up across college campuses nationwide over the past several years. Universities such as Minnesota State University, California Polytechnic State University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville have also approved similar organizations within the last two years, according to FOX News.

Globally, there are now more than 100 university-based furry clubs, according to the Anthropomorphic Animal Appreciation Association.

Once upon a time, colleges marketed themselves as places to cultivate discipline, excellence, and preparation for adulthood. Today, they’re increasingly happy to sponsor clubs dedicated to people dressing up as cartoon animals and “identifying” as foxes, wolves, or dragons — all while tuition keeps climbing and academic standards continue to slide.

For SUNY Plattsburgh, at least, campus life has officially gone feral.