Requesting Housing Accommodation

​Learn how to request housing accommodations.

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Housing accommodations are determined through a collaborative committee process. The Housing Accommodation Review Committee includes representatives from Disability Resources, Residential Life, Habif Health and Wellness Center, and Dining Services. Approved accommodations are then implemented by Residential Life.

If you are requesting accommodations for the very first time the steps will be slightly different than if you are already registered with Disability Resources for other accommodations.

Is this your first time registering with Disability Resources and requesting accommodations?

Step 1. Acquire documentation from your doctor or therapist
All requests for housing accommodations must include documentation prepared by a qualified evaluator. At minimum the documentation must substantiate the student’s disabling condition and verify the student’s current need for accommodations in order to have equal access to the residential environments. Please review the Documentation Guidelines for Disability Resources to learn more about the type of information the Housing Accommodation Review Committee will look for in your documentation.

Step 2. Submit the Public Accommodation Request Form
Students who are not already registered with Disability Resources should submit the Public Accommodation Request form and upload their documentation of disability with this form. If you do not have access to your documentation at the time that you submit the form we can also accept documentation through mail, email, or fax. However, if you choose to submit documentation through one of these alternate means please keep in mind that your request will not be considered complete until we receive both your form submission and documentation.

Have you previously registered with Disability Resources for any type of accommodation request (academic, housing, transportation, or temporary injury)?

Step 1. Acquire documentation from your doctor or therapist
All requests for housing accommodations must include documentation prepared by a qualified evaluator and the Housing Accommodation Review Committee requires updated documentation each year that a student requests housing accommodations. At minimum the documentation must substantiate the student’s disabling condition and verify the student’s current need for accommodations in order to have equal access to the residential environments. Please review Documentation Guidelines to learn more about the type of information the Housing Accommodation Review Committee will look for in your documentation.

Step 2. Submit the Supplemental Form through CornerstoneConnect Accommodate
Students who have requested accommodations of any type in the past must log in to CornerstoneConnect Accommodate and submit a supplemental request in order to request a change or addition to their current accommodations. Step-by-step directions to complete the supplemental request are below.

  1. Navigate to CornerstoneConnect.
  2. Log in with your WUSTL Key.
  3. Scroll over the “Accommodation” tab on the green menu bar at the top of the page.
  4. From the drop-down options click on the second option “Supplemental”.
  5. Fill out all form fields and click “Submit”.

Documentation of disability can be uploaded through the Supplemental Request. If you do not have access to your documentation at the time that you submit the form we can also accept documentation through mail, email, or fax. However, if you choose to submit documentation through one of these alternate means please keep in mind that your request will not be considered complete until we receive both your form submission and documentation.

Is it necessary to request a housing accommodation?

For Dietary Accommodations: No, the Housing Accommodation Review Committee does not grant dining accommodations. Dining Services works to support students with special dietary needs, this includes those with medically restricted diets and those with food allergies and intolerances. Dining Services is generally able to meet the needs of students requesting specialized meal plans so all students with special dietary needs are encouraged to work with dining services to make dining on campus enjoyable and safe. The process for requesting dietary accommodations is outlined on the Dining Services website.

For Transportation and Proximity to Academic Buildings: No, all on-campus residential buildings are considered to be within close proximity to academic buildings and other campus facilities. Students whose disabilities may limit their ability to walk and/or carry a heavy backpack for long distances are encouraged to utilize the Campus Circulator and/or Medical Escort Service when traveling across campus. More information about these options can be found on the Parking and Transportation Services website.

For Environmental Allergens: No, the University has conducted tests of environmental allergen levels throughout the Residential Life buildings. The results of these tests found that there is not a significant difference in allergen level between the various building types. To reduce exposure to environmental allergens, students are encouraged to follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology by bringing allergen-proof fabric covers for bedding, a dehumidifier, and/or HEPA filter air purifier for use in their residence hall rooms.

For Distraction-Reduced Study Space: No, by nature, residential housing is not a distraction-reduced environment. Students are encouraged to explore the many study spaces throughout campus to find a quiet study location and are welcome to contact Disability Resources for recommendations.

TIMELINE FOR PROCESSING REQUESTS

Deadlines for the 2019/2020 Academic Year:

  • Current Students: December 7, 2018
  • Newly Enrolled Students: TBA

Students will receive notification of the Housing Accommodation Review Committee’s decision through their WUSTL email, typically 2-6 weeks after submitting their request.

IMPORTANT RULES FOR HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS

  1. Students must still complete the Room & Board Application through WebSTAC in order to be considered for a placement in University housing, even if they have already been approved for a housing accommodation.
    • The Room & Board Application may not be made available until after the deadline to submit requests for housing accommodations.
  2. Being approved for a housing accommodation does not guarantee that you will be placed in your first-choice residential hall or with your preferred friends.
    • The Housing Accommodation Review Committee only makes determinations regarding functional accommodations in housing. The Committee is not involved in the process of assigning a student’s specific room or specific roommates/suitemates. This process is managed by Residential Life and students will be notified of their specific room assignment separately.
  3. Students with an approved accommodation can have no more than 3 roommates. However they can also apply as an individual.
  4. Students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may need to be placed as an individual, instead of with chosen roommates, in order to guarantee the accommodation. Additionally, students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may be placed on a waiting list for the next available room that meets their accommodation.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Disability Resources at 314-935-5970 or disabilityresources@wustl.edu
Location: Ground floor of Gregg House, South 40
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM