Housing Accommodations

Students with special needs who are requesting a housing related accommodation need to follow the process outlined below.

Housing Accommodation Deadlines

• Returning Students – March 19
• New Students – June 15

Medical Single Housing accommodation requests must be renewed every academic year.

Returning students are required to reapply annually and will need to submit a new Housing Accommodation application with updated medical provider information.

Mid-Year approvals (applications submitted in the Spring Semester of the academic year), will not be accepted by the committee. However, some exceptions may apply:

• Newly admitted student (first-year/transfer student)
• Medical Emergency

Housing Accommodation Request Forms

The following forms include sections to be filled out by the student and their medical provider.

• Medical Single Accommodation Request Form
• Air Conditioning Accommodation Request Form
• Verification Form for Emotional Support Animal

General Documentation Guidelines

• Establish that the student is a person with a high-level disability need and reflect a student’s present level of functioning.
• Provide evidence of the current functional impact of the condition or disability as it relates to the housing modification or accommodation requested.
• Recommendation from the professional explaining the need for the accommodation as it relates to a disability/impairment.
• If requesting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), information about how the ESA is necessary to alleviate the impact of a disability or reduce the impact of a specific set of symptoms.

Potential Documentation Providers

• Licensed Clinician
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Primary Care Physician
• Specialist
• Mental Health Practitioner
• Provider should know the student well, have diagnosed the disorder, and/or responsible for treatment of the disorder

The form needs to be completed in full and submitted by the deadlines before the request can be reviewed.

Appropriate and up-to-date medical documentation should be submitted with the application form for students making either:

• their first housing/AC accommodation request or
• a different housing/AC accommodation request than was previously approved.

PLEASE NOTE: Students requesting dining accommodations should meet with Director of Dining Services Brian North, north-brian@aramark.com, to discuss their needs prior to submitting any dining accommodation requests. Completing this meeting is required for those requesting dining accommodations.

Considerations When Evaluating Accommodation Requests

Requests for medical single housing and/or AC accommodations will be reviewed by the Special Accommodations (SA) Committee. The SA Committee is made up of multiple individuals, including representatives from Counseling Services, Student Health Center, Access Services, and Residence Life. Additionally, College Officials may need to speak with other appropriate parties as needed.

All housing accommodations are subject to availability.

Requests for Housing and/or AC accommodations are reviewed carefully. The following factors are considered when evaluating requests:

Severity of the Condition

• Is the impact of the condition life threatening if the request is not met?
• Is there a negative health impact that may be permanent if the request is not met?
• Is the request an integral component of a treatment plan for the condition in question?
• What is the likely impact on academic performance if the request is not met?
• What is the likely impact on social development if the request is not met?

Timing of the Request

• Has there been an established relationship with the provider?
• Was the request made before March 19 (returning students) and June 15 (new students)?
• Was the request made as soon as possible after identifying the need? (Based on date of diagnosis, receipt of housing assignment, change in status, etc.)

Feasibility and Availability

• Are there other housing configurations that would achieve similar benefits as the requested adjustment/accommodation?
• Is space available that meets the student’s needs?
• How does meeting this request impact housing commitments to other students?

Appeals Process

If a student is not approved for a requested accommodation and they feel their request is both reasonable and necessary because of their documented disability, the student may appeal the decision of the Dean of Students via email at clemasters@tamilfolksongs.com.

Please note: Students have 10 business days to appeal a decision by the SA Committee.

The request must include a brief statement of the grounds for appeal which should substantiate one of these two criteria:

1. There was substantial failure by the SA Committee to comply with these procedures so as to deny a fair review of the student’s request.
2. The decision of the SA Committee was not supported by the evidence.

Additionally, the request must be based on the records submitted to the SA Committee.

Following submission, the Appeals Committee shall notify the student in writing of its decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after the appeal is filed. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and not subject to further review.