Housing Accommodations and ESAs

Saint Louis University recognizes the importance of individuals with disabilities being able to fully participate in the University housing program. Housing accommodations are provided to support students with disabilities in university housing to ensure equitable experiences are fulfilled.

Applying for Housing Accommodation Requests or Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Complete the Housing Accommodation Application for housing accommodation and emotional support animal requests.

Download the Housing Accommodation Application
Submit documentation of your diagnosis or disability.

If you are applying for an Emotional Support Animal: Your medical provider should also complete the ESA request form and submit it with your documentation.

Download the ESA Request Form

Information needs to be typed on an official letterhead and signed by a qualified professional. Documentation should include the following information:
1. A statement of the diagnosis or disability
2. Function impact or symptoms associated with the diagnosis/disability. This helps inform our office of which accommodations may be reasonable and appropriate. The functional impact information should also speak to the specific housing request and how it will support the functional impact of the diagnosis/disability.
3. Severity and/or expected progression (if applicable)
4. Current medications and any related side-effects (if applicable)
5. Current and/or past accommodations (if applicable)
6. Any recommended accommodations.
  
  In order to ensure appropriate accommodations are being considered, we ask that documentation be as current as possible. All documentation should be submitted via email or turned into a staff member.
Schedule an appointment with one of the staff members in the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources for accessibility-and-disability-resources. Students can schedule an appointment with one of the Center’s staff members by logging into their mySLU account.
1. Log into mySLU.
2. Select "EAB Navigate" (either through Okta, or under the tools section).
3. Click on “Make an Appointment.”
4. Select "Student Services."
5. Select "Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources."
6. Select an appointment time.

Students have the option of meeting in-person or virtually. All virtual appointments will be conducted via Zoom. Students who select the virtual option will be sent a Zoom link to their SLU email.

Housing Accommodations Process

Responsibility for Decision Making

The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will work with the Department of Housing and Residence Life in order to determine the reasonable and necessary accommodations for each student. Consultations with the Office of General Counsel, the Title IX Office, and the Dean of Students Office may also occur. Individuals with a disability who plan on living in University housing and believe they need reasonable accommodations to do so must contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.

Process for Requesting Accommodations

An individual with a disability requesting housing accommodations should complete the steps listed in the above section under Applying for Housing Accommodation Requests or Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).

SLU will accept and consider housing accommodation requests at any time; however, requests should be submitted as soon as possible before moving into University Housing.

For current rising sophomore, junior and senior students, accommodation requests should be indicated on the housing contract. For new students, the Housing Accommodation Applications should be submitted at least 80 days before the University’s published move-in date. We cannot guarantee the ability to meet a student’s needs during the first term of occupancy if an application is made fewer than 80 days in advance.

If you already live in University housing when your need for accommodation arises, you should contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources and complete the Housing Accommodation Application as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide your accommodation during the semester in which the request is received. If no available space on campus fits your needs, you will be placed on a wait list and will be notified when space is available.

Once you have completed the accommodation request process, the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will attempt to provide a written letter of reasonable accommodations within 15 business days.

Housing Accommodation Decision

The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources may deny the requested accommodation if it is unreasonable. The Center will consult with the Department of Housing and Residence Life to determine if implementation of the requested accommodation is reasonable. An accommodation is unreasonable if it:

Imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden;
Fundamentally alters university housing policies
Poses a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others or would cause substantial property damage to the property of others, including University property; and/or
Is otherwise unreasonable to the operation of the University

Approval of Accommodation

If the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources determines a requested accommodation is necessary and is not unreasonable, the individual requesting will receive notice, in writing, within 15 business days of its determination. Once notified, individuals will be contacted as needed by Housing and Residence Life to discuss the implementation of the accommodation.

Denial of Accommodations and Interactive Process

If the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources determines a requested accommodation is necessary but unreasonable, the individual will be contacted, in writing, within 15 business days of the determination to engage in an interactive process. The interactive process is intended to determine if there are alternative accommodations that might effectively meet the individual’s disability-related needs and would also be reasonable for the University to grant.

If the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources determines a requested accommodation is not necessary and/or is unreasonable, the individual will be contacted, in writing, within 15 business days of the determination. At this point, individuals may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Center within 10 business days. The appeal must state a specific reason for reconsideration of the decision and may only be based on:

New information that was not available at the time of the initial decision
A procedural error that occurred that unfairly impacted the decision
There is just cause to reconsider the decision, such as a demonstrated bias against the student.

Once appeal information has been received, the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will review and provide final decisions to the individual within 10 business days.

Confidentiality

All documentation and information provided to the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will be used solely for the purpose of determining both service eligibility and reasonable accommodations to be provided. All documents will remain secured and protected within the Center’s electronic filing system. If necessary, the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources may disclose specific information necessary to determine whether or not the accommodations requested are reasonable, necessary, and should be granted. Information disclosed will be done on a strictly need-to-know basis. No information regarding disability or accommodations will be provided on academic records, such as transcripts.

Housing Contract

This policy does not, in any manner, impact the continued enforceability of the Housing and Meal Contract executed by any Student. The University will endeavor to provide housing that accommodates a student’s disability. Such accommodation decisions may result in a student being assigned to a building they didn’t request or reassigned from a building they did request. Such assignments or reassignments that satisfy an accommodation are not grounds for breaking the Housing and Meal Contract. Any student that wishes to request a residency exemption or to be released from their housing contract must follow and adhere to the process set forth in the Housing and Meal Contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to reapply for my housing accommodation(s) each year?

No. Once approved, your housing accommodations are valid throughout your time at Saint Louis University.

If you wish to change or adjust your approved housing accommodations, you must schedule an appointment with a Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources staff member. Additional or updated documentation may be required depending on the change/adjustment request.

I am an incoming freshman/student. When should I apply for housing accommodations?

The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will accept and consider housing accommodation requests at any time; however, requests should be submitted as soon as possible before moving into University Housing. For new students, the Housing Accommodation Application and documentation should be submitted at least 80 days before the University’s published move-in date. We cannot guarantee the ability to meet a student’s needs during the first term of occupancy if an application is made fewer than 80 days in advance. Please refer to Housing and Residence Life’s Key Housing Dates page for when first-year housing contracts open for new freshmen, new transfer students and new graduate students as guidance.

I have an approved housing accommodation but I want a specific roommate. Can my accommodation apply to my roommate?

Your approved housing accommodation applies to you and you only. Housing accommodations do not apply to roommates.

I am a student already living in university housing but I want to apply for housing accommodations. What should I do?