Housing Accommodations and Emotional Support Animals

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. CADR 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. CADR cannot guarantee that an accommodation can be provided 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:

1. Imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden;
2. Fundamentally alters university housing policies
3. 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
4. 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:

1. New information that was not available at the time of the initial decision
2. A procedural error that occurred that unfairly impacted the decision
3. 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.

All documentation and information provided to the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources will be used solely to determine 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.

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 wishing 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.

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.