Disability Support Services (DSS) works in collaboration with Housing and Residential Engagement (HRE) to provide reasonable accommodations within our residential facilities for students with disabilities. Applying for on-campus housing and requesting a housing accommodation through DSS are two related but separate processes. Thus, students requesting a housing accommodations must follow the Housing and Residential Engagement procedures to apply for housing, and separately apply for accommodations with the DSS.
Steps for New Students
1. Apply for Student Housing on the Housing and Residential Engagement Housing Portal. DSS encourages applying on the first date the application opens.
- Application open and closing dates can be found on the Housing and Residential Engagement (HRE) Application Webpage
2. Apply for accommodations by completing an application for Disability Support Services
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- Students requesting housing accommodations will be asked to complete an additional request form to specify their support needs and requested accommodation.
3. Submit Disability Documentation
4. Schedule a New Student Appointment to meet with DSS disability management specialist to discuss your accommodation request. Accommodation requests are processed in the order they are received and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
Approved disability related accommodations DO NOT impact your place on the housing waitlist. DSS does not have the ability to move a student up on the waitlist. Disability related accommodations will go into effect once a student has been given and accepted a housing assignment.
DSS Disability Management and Housing Accommodations Specialist will notify you and HRE if you are eligible for housing accommodations.
Steps for Returning Students
- Apply for Student Housing on the Housing and Residential Engagement Housing Portal. DSS encourages applying on the first date the application opens.
- Application open and closing dates can be found on the Housing and Residential Engagement (HRE) Application Webpage
- Previously approved housing accommodations remain valid, unless students indicate they no longer need them.
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Note:
Previously approved ESA accommodations are valid for one year. You must meet with HRE to provide animal vaccination verification and updated photos annually.
- Accommodation requests are processed in the order they are received and are approved pending availability of space in Student Housing. Thus your accommodation use is dependent on space availability and your actual placement in on campus housing. We strongly encourage early requests.
Approved disability related accommodations DO NOT impact your place on the housing waitlist. DSS does not have the ability to move a student up on the waitlist. Disability related accommodations will go into effect once a student has been given and accepted a housing assignment.
DSS Disability Management and Housing Accommodations Specialist will notify you and HRE if you are eligible for housing accommodations.
Examples of Housing Accommodations
- ADA accessible room (e.g., wheelchair/scooter access)
- Room equipped with a visual fire alert
- Single bedroom (in shared suite)
- Emotional support animal
- Ground floor room
Service and Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
- Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
- An ESA is an animal that is not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual's disability but does provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. An emotional support animal may also be referred to as an assistance animal, a comfort animal or a therapy animal. An emotional support animal is not restricted by species like a service animal. An emotional support animal must have current vaccinations, be under control and be maintained in a manner that considers the health and hygiene of the animal and those who come in contact with the animal. Dogs and cats, for example, must be housebroken and well-groomed. Emotional support animals must also meet additional requirements as specified in an approval allowing the emotional support animal in university housing. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA.
- Service Animals
- A service animal is a dog (or miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disabilities. A service animal may also be referred to as a guide dog or a signal dog. Service animals are trained to recognize and respond to a handler's need for specific service. Service animals are allowed on campus grounds, including university housing, classrooms and campus libraries. The service animal must have current vaccinations, be well-groomed, trained, housebroken and under control. Service animals are protected by the ADA.
Steps for ESA Approval
- Apply for Student Housing on the Housing and Residential Engagement Housing Portal. DSS encourages applying on the first date the application opens.
- Application open and closing dates can be found on the Housing and Residential Engagement (HRE) Application Webpage
- Apply for accommodations by completing an application for Disability Support Services
- Submit Disability Documentation according to the Policy on Service and Emotional Support Animals for Students on Campus.
- Schedule a New Student Appointment to meet with DSS disability management specialist to discuss your accommodation request. Accommodation requests are processed in the order they are received and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- When (and if) you are assigned on campus housing, your approved accommodation can be applied to your assigned housing placement.
- Housing and Residential Engagement will follow up to collect additional information
before
your ESA is allowed on campus:
- Animal vaccination records, Photos of the ESA, Roommate consent to live with an ESA, and MOU for safety, removal, and damage policies.
- ESA Documentation Guidelines:
- Adequate documentation for an Emotional Support Animal will include:
- An original letter that must be submitted on official letterhead from a licensed medical or mental health professional and establishes a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation.
- The provider's professional opinion that the condition qualifies as a disability (i.e., a physical or mental impairment which limits a major life activity).
- The provider's opinion that the emotional support animal has been prescribed for treatment purposes and is necessary to mitigate symptoms associated with the condition in order to have a reasonable accommodation to use and enjoy housing services.
