Housing Accommodations

Students with documented physical, psychological, or other medical diagnosed disorder(s) may request a reasonable accommodation for their housing assignment, including but not limited to the location on campus, room type, bathroom type, or amenities offered within the assigned space which affords the student with an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their living environment. Reasonable modifications to existing room assignments based on a medical condition should be submitted through the accommodation request process, as well.

Submitting a Request for Health-Based Accommodations:

Step 1. The student completes the Accommodation Profile found on the Accessibility Services website.  The first step of the Accommodation Profile gathers the student's personal information and information about the student's disability/disabilities.  The second step of the Accommodation Profile requires the student to upload medical documentation provided by their physician(s) identifying the student's diagnosed disorder(s) and providing specific recommended housing accommodations.

Step 2. The ASC will reach out to the student to discuss their requested accommodations in greater detail to better understand their housing needs while living on campus.

Step 3. The ASC will notify Residential Living & Learning that the student has received approval for specific housing accommodation(s). 

Step 4. Residential Living & Learning will work to identify a space within on-campus housing that meets the approved accommodations.  If a suitable space is not available in the residential buildings, our office will work with the student directly to identify a space that most closely matches their accommodations and meets their needs.  It is possible that a student would be placed on a waiting list for appropriate housing to become available in a reasonable time frame.

Step 5. Once an appropriate housing assignment has been identified or agreed upon with the student, Residential Living & Learning will assign the student and communicate via email the student's assignment information.

Note: If we are unable to provide appropriate campus housing that meets the approved accommodations or needs of the student, the student may submit a Request for Residency Exemption in order to live off campus where appropriate housing may be available to the student.  These requests are reviewed by both Residential Living & Learning and the Accessibility Services Center.  Please do not secure off-campus housing before receiving official approval of a Request for Residency Exemption.

Students with a disability/disabilities may request to live in the residential facilities with their Emotional Support Animal (also known as Comfort/Companion Animals) or Service Animal.  We should first define Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Service Animals.

• Service Animal
  The ADA defines a service animal as a dog trained to do work or perform tasks benefiting a person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. 
  
  
• Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
  United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an emotional support animal (ESA) is not a pet, but includes any animal providing emotional support to a person with a disability. 

The request process for ESAs and Service Animals is managed by the Accessibility Services Center (ASC) in the same manner as housing, academic and Dietary Accommodations. 

A student requesting accommodation from the Accessibility Service Center for an ESA or Service Animal must also submit a Request for Animal-in-Residence found on the Housing Central Home Page.  This request provides important information about the student's animal, including Veterinary records to ensure the health and safety of our animals-in-residence, university staff, and residents living on campus.  

Students MUST receive approval for an Emotional Support or Service animal from the ASC and approval for an animal-in-residence from Residential Living & Learning before the animal arrives on campus.

Submitting a Request for Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal Accommodation:

Step 1. The student completes the Accommodation Profile found on the Accessibility Services website.  The first step of the Accommodation Profile gathers the students personal information and information about the students disability/disabilities.  The second step of the Accommodation Profile requires the student to upload medical documentation provided by their physician(s) that specifically states the student has a disability that requires the assistance of an ESA or Service Animal.

Step 2. The student submits the Request for Animal-in-Residence found on the Housing Central Home Page.  The student must include 

Step 3. The ASC will reach out to the student to discuss their requested housing accommodations in greater detail to better understand their housing needs while living on campus.

Step 4. The ASC will notify Residential Living & Learning that the student has received approval for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal.

Step 5. Residential Living & Learning will review the student's Request for Animal-in-Residence to ensure that the veterinary records have been submitted, the required shots are up to date and requirements for an animal living on campus are met. If all necessary animal documentation is provided, the animal will be approved to live on campus in the student's assigned residential building.

Step 6. Residential Living & Learning will provide the student with an animal placard for their residential door.  The placard lists the owner's first name, the animal's name and a photo of the animal.  Posting this placard on the resident door ensures that our hall and university staff are aware there is an approved animal living in the room/unit. 

Learn more about Animals on Campus!

Stetson University supports the diverse religious practices of its students. The process for addressing requests for religious-based accommodations varies depending on the nature of the request:

• Academic Accommodations: Students should work directly with their professors for any academic accommodations related to religious observance, as outlined in the university's Religious Observance Policy.

• Dining Accommodations: For religious-based dietary requests, students are encouraged to first review the Dining Services Dietary Restrictions webpage to learn about available options that may meet their needs. If additional support is needed, students should then contact the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, which will work with Dining Services to explore suitable options. In cases where Dining Services cannot accommodate the dietary restrictions, the student may request a meal plan exemption.

• Housing Considerations: Stetson University understands that students may have housing requests related to their religious beliefs. While housing accommodations are granted for diagnosed and documented medical disorders, we do not provide accommodations specifically for religious reasons. However, we are committed to supporting students in finding the best possible living arrangements. Students who have concerns about housing related to their religious practices are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life staff who will listen to concerns and discuss the support and resources available at the university to help address them. Additionally, students can contact Residential Living & Learning to explore different housing styles that may align with their preferences. We will make every effort to consider these requests when assigning housing, though we cannot guarantee specific placements.

To begin the process, students should schedule a meeting with the University Chaplain at [email protected], and include a letter from a spiritual advisor explaining the rationale for the request.

All students, regardless of religion, must adhere to the Community Guide to Residential Living & the Code of Community Standards.  Therefore, certain religious-based preferences cannot be approved if they conflict with residential and university policies.

Residential Living & Learning does not provide housing accommodations based on a student's dietary restrictions related to a diagnosed medical disorder.  All students living within residential buildings will have access to a kitchen (community or apartment) and mini-refrigerators are permitted in the residential buildings. Please review the residential packing list for cooking items that are approved and prohibited within the residential buildings.

All issues related to food or dietary restrictions are addressed directly through the Accessibility Services Center (ASC) in coordination with Dining Services. Any students who would like to request dietary accommodations should do so by creating an Accommodations Profile and working directly with the ASC.

The ASC will work with Dining Services to determine the appropriate dietary accommodations to best support the student.  If the ASC or Dining Services determines that additional consideration should be made in regard to a students on campus housing assignment or environment, they will reach out directly to Residential Living & Learning with their recommendations.  

You can read more about options for dietary accommodations on Dining Services' website.

Submitting a Request for Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal Accommodation:

Step 1. The student completes the Accommodation Profile found on the Accessibility Services website.  The first step of the Accommodation Profile gathers the students personal information and information about the student's disability/disabilities.  The second step of the Accommodation Profile requires the student to upload medical documentation provided by their physician(s) that specifically states the student has a disability that requires the assistance of an ESA or Service Animal.

Step 2. The student submits the Request for Animal-in-Residence found on the Housing Central Home Page.  The student must include 

Step 3. The ASC will reach out to the student to discuss their requested housing accommodations in greater detail to better understand their housing needs while living on campus.

Step 4. The ASC will notify Residential Living & Learning that the student has received approval for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal.

Step 5. Residential Living & Learning will review the student's Request for Animal-in-Residence to ensure that the veterinary records have been submitted, the required shots are up to date and requirements for an animal living on campus are met. If all necessary animal documentation is provided, the animal will be approved to live on campus in the student's assigned residential building.

Step 6. Residential Living & Learning will provide the student with an animal placard for their residential door.  The placard lists the owner's first name, animal's name and a photo of the animal.  Posting this placard on the resident door ensures that our hall and university staff are aware there is an approved animal living in the room/unit. 

Learn more about Animals on Campus!

Accessibility Services at Stetson University provides recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations to ensure that there will be no discrimination on the basis of disability. An academic accommodation is any change in the policies or procedures of a course and/or academic program for the purpose of allowing a student with a disability equal access to learning and an equal opportunity to demonstrate knowledge. These recommendations are developed through the review of disability documentation and with the consideration of each student's individual needs, strengths and academic program. Students who wish to request an academic accommodation should submit a request through the Accessibility Services website.