Saint Louis University recognizes the importance of individuals with disabilities being able to participate in the University housing program fully. 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 Accommodations Request Form for housing accommodation and emotional support animal requests.
Complete a Housing Accommodations Request Form - 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 (PDF)
Information must be typed on official letterhead and signed by a qualified professional. Documentation should include the following information:
- A statement of the specific accommodations that are needed in housing
- A statement of diagnosis
- Describe how the student's medical/psychiatric condition necessitates the need for the requested housing accommodation(s), as it relates to the student's disability/diagnosis
- Demonstrate how the specific room design and/or living environment will help to mitigate the student's symptoms
- State whether, based on disability/diagnosis reasons, the specific housing request
is a preference or a required accommodation
To ensure appropriate accommodations are considered, we ask that documentation be as current as possible. All documentation should be submitted via email, faxed or turned in to a staff member.
- Schedule an appointment with one of the staff members in the Center for Accessibility
and Disability Resources. Students can schedule an appointment with one of the center’s
staff members by logging into their auth.slu.edu account.
- Log into auth.slu.edu.
- Select "EAB Navigate."
- Click on “Schedule an Appointment.”
- Select "Student Services."
- Select "Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources."
- 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 receive a Zoom link to their SLU email.
Housing Accommodations Process
The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will work with the Department of Housing and Residence Life to determine each student's reasonable and necessary accommodations. 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 must contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.
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 accepts and considers housing accommodation requests at any time; however, requests should be submitted as soon as possible before moving into University Housing.
The housing contract should indicate accommodation requests for current rising sophomore, junior and senior students. 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, contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources and complete the Housing Accommodations Request Form 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 waitlist and 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.
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 implementing 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, Housing and Residence Life will contact individuals as needed 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. Individuals may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Center within ten business days. The appeal must state a specific reason for reconsideration of the decision and may only be based on the following:
- 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 ten business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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. The Housing Accommodation Application and documentation for new students 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 first-year students, new transfer students and new graduate students as guidance.
Your approved housing accommodation applies to you and you only. Housing accommodations do not apply to roommates.
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 waitlist and notified when space is available.