Housing and Dining
What are housing and dining accommodations?
Living on campus is a learning experience and a University requirement for freshman and sophomores. Housing or dining accommodations are intended to support students whose disability impacts their ability to live on campus or to participate in campus dining options.
Housing Accommodations
Living in a communal environment may require compromise and communication for all students. Living with another person can sometimes be a challenging experience, and it is understandable that students may be hesitant to share a room or bathroom with other students. However, the residence halls are designed as a community where students live and learn together with a balance of rights and responsibilities that are supported by Resident Assistants (RAs), Assistant Residence Hall Directors, and Residence Hall Directors who are trained to assist students in navigating spaces and relationships. All residence halls have either pod-style bathrooms (which provide privacy for the individual user with a toilet, shower, and sink behind a locked door) or attached bathrooms (shared only with those assigned to the unit). Students may indicate a preference for a specific type of living arrangement when selecting hall preferences, but assignments will be determined by University Housing on a first-come, first-served basis. As such, requests for particular housing assignments based on a student’s preference, rather than disability need, such as a desire for a quiet, undisturbed place to study or a specific style of bathroom, may not be supported. It is in the best interest of students to sign their housing contract or contract renewal as soon as possible. Students should contact their Residence Hall staff if they need assistance with a roommate conflict, maintenance issue, or other concerns. Students wishing to have a specific roommate should utilize the roommate selection process when they sign their housing contract.
How do students get housing accommodations?
When considering housing accommodation requests, SAS will consider how the specific request provides equal access to the University’s residential program. Housing accommodations are appropriate for students whose disability presents significant barriers in the residence hall environment. Accommodations for housing are considered individually after a review of documentation and student self-report. Documentation containing only a recommendation and not significant information about the student’s disability, its symptoms, or the impact in the living/learning environment may not be sufficient. SAS encourages students to connect with our office by June 1 to ensure timely consideration of their housing accommodation requests. If students connect with SAS after June 1, SAS and University Housing will still work to provide the necessary accommodations; however, the initial assignment may not reflect the requested accommodation.
How do students use housing accommodations?
- Students who plan to utilize their approved accommodations must alert SAS at the time of contract renewal.
- When possible, students should sign/renew their housing contract as soon as possible. Utilizing the same room/same hall option when renewing assists in accommodation implementation.
- Students are responsible for adhering to all parts of the Housing Contract and Hallways Handbook.
Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.
Contract Release Process
This process is reserved for those who have a significant and unforeseen change that occurred after the contract period began that prevents the student from upholding their contractual obligation. Requests to be released from a housing contract due to a medical or psychological reason are evaluated by SAS. Students must have documentation of a diagnosed disability that substantially impacts one or more major life activities related to participation in the University’s residential program. The contract cannot be terminated solely for the purpose of living off-campus or in order to commute from home. While this process can be done at any time, students should be aware of the housing forfeiture schedule when submitting their petition. The Housing Forfeiture Schedule is outlined in the Residence Hall Contract for Room and Dining Plan.
Students wishing to pursue a release from the housing contract for medical and/or psychological reasons should provide documentation of their disability. Documentation should be completed by the student’s healthcare provider or a licensed clinical professional that is familiar with the student’s disability and can be provided in a written letter on the medical professional’s letterhead or the medical provider can complete the Housing Contract Release Documentation Form. Documentation should include:
A statement of diagnosis identifying the disability, date of diagnosis, associated symptoms and their severity, duration of impairment.
A description of how the disability impacts the student within the housing environment including the specific reasons preventing the student from living on campus.
Rationale of why other housing options such as a single room or access to a non-communal restroom would not meet the student’s needs and alternative recommendations for appropriate accommodations.
Rationale of why it is necessary for the student to move out of the residence halls during the contract period.
SAS will review the documentation and student’s request for contract release. If granted, SAS will notify University Housing and the student about the decision. Students should communicate with University Housing regarding check-out procedures and other important information.
Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.
Dining Accommodations
This accommodation is appropriate for students whose disability interferes with their ability to utilize campus dining facilities. University Culinary Services provides several resources to students as they navigate dining facilities. Students with food allergies and other dietary needs should contact the Registered Dietitian to review allergen information. Gluten-friendly options are available in many of the dining facilities, and nutrition information and ingredients are posted in all dining locations and online. The Design Innovation Hub, an all-you-care-to-eat facility, is designated as nut-free. If a student’s disability presents a substantial limitation to the use of campus dining plans, students may be eligible for a dining accommodation.
How do students get dining accommodations?
SAS reviews all dining accommodation requests in conjunction with the Registered Dietitian. If approved, SAS will communicate the meal plan reduction or waiver to University Culinary Services and alert the student. Students requesting a meal plan waiver should anticipate cooking their own meals in their residence hall kitchen or through alternate arrangements. Dining accommodation requests related to religious observances or financial hardship should be directed to the Registered Dietitian in University Culinary Services.
Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.