Housing Accommodations

The Office of Disability Services strives for inclusive practices when discussing housing options and looks at all documentation/circumstances on a case-by-case basis. One of the most common housing accommodation requests is a single space in the residence halls. There are rare circumstances when students are approved for a complete single space due to medical/disability related reasons. Please note, these spaces are also very limited. The prices for all housing are set in advance; a student with a disability will never be charged more for accommodation or a specific room type. 

A single room is granted disability-related accommodation when it is deemed reasonable by a medical professional, and there is a substantial limitation to one or more major life activities, without accommodation. The purpose of housing accommodations is to minimize the impact of being disabled on their housing and campus opportunities. The goal is not to ensure that the student IS like everyone else but to ensure that the student has the same opportunities as everyone else has within the housing and campus experience, given his/her functional limitations.

If you wish to apply for housing accommodation, you may submit the Accommodation Request first so we can process your request. Please see below for subsequent steps in our process, and do not hesitate to reach out with questions by emailing disabilityservices@sru.edu. 

Once you submit your accommodation request form, our office will reach out to schedule a meeting. We typically respond within 24-48 business hours directly to your SRU email account. The office of Disability Services team members will review documentation regarding housing. Please note, we are looking for specific documentation regarding housing requests:

• Housing accommodations and academic accommodations are two different types of requests and should be noted appropriately on the Accommodation Request.

• In conjunction with the accommodation request form, linked above, we are looking for our disability verification form to be completed by a provider OR a letter from your provider with the questions answered that are located on that form. This information will help guide our decision-making and determine the root cause of the request. We will also meet with you to discuss after all documentation is submitted.

  • Here is the Disability Verification Form. Please ensure the information is specific to the housing request.

  • Types of documentation that are not acceptable in some cases would be outdated by more than 3 years, something scribbled on a prescription pad, writing that is illegible to the physician, or any forged documentation.

  • Forging documentation or completing the verification form for the physician and asking for a signature will not be tolerated and will be referred to the student code of conduct.

• You can email all documentation to our office at disabilityservices@sru.edu, or you can upload it directly to the above accommodation request; you can also bring hard copies to the meeting with you. We will upload and give it back or destroy the hard copies with your permission.
  
  
• If you are requesting an ESA, there is a separate process for this, and we do not always grant single rooms for ESAs. We also do not require students with ESAs to live in specific housing; housing is based on availability at the time of request and is assigned by the housing office. ODS does not make the housing assignments or direct housing on how to assign students; we occasionally give recommendations based on need, disability, and documentation. Please review our Campus Animal Information.
  
  

• Typically, by March-April, housing is assigning all SRU students to the residence halls, and spaces are becoming limited. ODS would like to see your request by March 1 for fall residency and by October 1 for spring residency. We are not able to guarantee requests granted after those dates due to limited availability.

• If you are dissatisfied with the decision of our office, you can follow our grievance process located on Services for Students with Disabilities under "Student Responsibilities".

Commonly Asked Questions and Evaluation Process:

What if I need a single space so I can quietly study?

This is not considered to limit one or more major life activities and therefore will not be given accommodation based on this question alone. Students will find many solitary spaces on campus to study and decompress. The library has a third floor which is considered a “quiet floor only.” If you are having issues with a noisy floor section, please talk with your community assistant for help. Also, you may ask your roommate in advance to set times that work for both of you to study as needed. Each floor section in the residence halls also has a lounge area.

What if I need time to decompress or am overwhelmed easily by environmental stimuli?

You may consider working out at the recreation center, taking an outside walk, or using the quiet floor in the library as needed. Again, setting these boundaries with your roommate in advance is also very important and helpful. There are staff on each floor section to help facilitate these conversations as needed.

What if I need to keep my space clean and do not want to rely on a roommate to do so?

Roommates must complete a roommate agreement at the start of the academic year. It is very important to keep an open line of communication with your roommate to ensure you both understand each other's expectations.

What if I had a bad roommate? 

If you are not compatible with your roommate and have exhausted all options, you may talk with residence life about a room change that will better suit your needs. Please note that rooms are assigned throughout the year, and availability is subject to many factors. There are room change periods offered by Housing as well.  

What if I have expensive medications that are controlled substances?  

You may bring a safe to lock your medications inside or bring a personal, small personal refrigerator for your medications.  

What can I do if my single room request was denied, and I still want a single space, but none are open?

Ask the housing office to be placed on a waiting list for rooms, or periodically check in with them to see what has opened. As stated above, there are room change periods offered by the housing office.

What if I am used to having my room at home and am apprehensive about living with a roommate?

College is an exciting time to meet new people and make new friends. You should try to embrace having a roommate. All students fill out roommate agreements, and there are staff to assist as needed.