Student Disability Services (SDS) engages in an interactive process with each student and reviews requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis.
Depending on the nature and functional limitations of a student’s documented disability, the student may be eligible to receive a housing or meal plan accommodation. SDS, Residence Life and Dining Services work collaboratively to provide appropriate accommodations for students.
While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments require that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, accommodations deemed not reasonable may be substituted for other suitable alternatives. Late requests may result in an accommodation not being available.
Note: If you have questions about housing or meal plan accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services. If you need a meal plan accommodation based on Religious Restrictions or Requirements, please complete and submit the Religious Exemption from Meal Plan form.
Priority Housing Deadlines for Spring 2024:
- Incoming students (i.e. first-time freshmen, transfers) priority deadline is December 2, 2023.
- Continuing student priority deadline is November 11, 2023.
Priority Housing Deadlines for Fall 2024:
- Incoming students (i.e. first-time freshmen, transfers) priority deadline is May 15, 2024.
- Continuing student priority deadline is February 5, 2024.
Students are advised to visit the Residence Life website for specific information regarding eligibility and deadlines for housing.
Priority Deadline for Meal Plan Accommodation/Exemption
- The priority deadline for meal plan reduction or exemption is the 12th day of class each semester.
NOTE: Before requesting accommodation, students must be ELIGIBLE for on-campus housing by completing any applications required by Residence Life (e.g., Online Housing Application) as well as complying with all Residence Life deadlines (e.g., housing application deadline, room reservation fee deadline, etc.).
- During the Online Housing Application process, students must indicate a need for a housing or meal plan accommodation or exemption based on a disabling condition.
- Once you have indicated a need, you will be directed to contact Student Disability Services to setup an appointment with a disability counselor to discuss possible accommodations.
- Students must provide documentation from an appropriately qualified professional that makes evident the current diagnosis and the impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodation(s) requested. SDS strongly encourages providers to use the Disability Verification Form for Housing and Meal Plan Accommodations.
- SDS will make a determination regarding the accommodation request, based on documentation review and an interactive process with the student.
- SDS will communicate the outcome to the student and the process for an appeal if applicable.
- SDS will notify Residence Life and/or Dining Services when a student has been approved for accommodations. Assignments are made directly by Residence Life and are dependent on availability.
**Students living on-campus with a service animal are required to notify SDS, as soon as possible, to facilitate: meeting the student's housing needs, notifying appropriate departments, and reviewing the Service and Assistance Animal Agreement with Resident Life.
- ADA accessible room
- Visual or audio alerts
- First floor assignment
- Centralized Location
- Private Bedroom
- Private Bathroom
- Kitchen in living space
- Private Living Space
- Housing Live-On Requirement Exemption (first & second year students only)
- First-year students required to select Meal Plan option A or B could be approved for a lower meal plan, i.e. C or D, or if appropriate, could be approved for an exemption from the meal plan requirement.
- Upperclassmen required to select at least Meal Plan option D could be approved for a lower meal plan, i.e. the Commuter Meal Plan.
An assistance animal, also known as a companion, therapy, comfort or emotional support animal (ESA)is an animal that provides emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. ESAs are not service animals, which are defined in and protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. An assistance animal is prescribed to an individual with a disability by a healthcare or mental health professional. An assistance animal is typically considered in conjunction with access to university housing in keeping with HUD guidance related to the Fair Housing Act.
For more information regarding compliance, roles, and responsibilities visit the Student Assistance Animal Policy.
Assistance animal requests go through the Housing Accommodation Process listed above. SDS strongly encourages treatment providers to use the Disability Verification Form for Housing and Meal Plan Accommodations. If you choose to not use the form, SDS has developed Assistance Animal Documentation Guidance to assist treatment providers and students in providing the necessary information. All documentation for an assistance animal will be considered on a case-by-case basis.