Housing Accommodation Request Process

In compliance with applicable state and federal laws, some students with disabilities/access needs may receive consideration regarding their housing placement. Housing accommodations may include, but are not limited to, single rooms, private bathrooms, and first-floor housing. All accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered for students with physical, medical, psychological, or sensory disabilities that are appropriately documented and determined to impact one or more major life activities.

Reasonable accommodations are determined following an individualized assessment of each request. Among the factors considered in determining reasonable accommodations for students are:

  • The nature of the student’s disability, including the student’s current symptoms and limitations
  • The functional limitations necessitating the requested accommodation(s)
  • Whether there are any alternate accommodations that are equally effective in meeting the student’s identified needs
  • Whether the requested accommodation will alter the essential requirements of campus housing
  • The appropriateness and essential nature of the requested accommodations.

University of La Verne residence halls consist primarily of shared living spaces. Some residences require using stairs while others have an elevator or ground-level entry. When a student has a medical, physical, or psychological condition that creates a need to be assigned a particular type of residence or amenity, the student should submit a housing accommodation request to Accessibility Services. 

Please note that the diagnosis of a medical, physical, and/or psychological condition and a physician’s or therapist’s recommendation do not automatically qualify a student for disability-related housing accommodations. Healthcare providers’ recommendations are considered; however, not all medical conditions rise to the level of being a disability that requires accommodation for the student to access the housing program.

An accommodation for housing is when clinical and professional documentation clearly demonstrates a history of substantial limitations and provides a rationale that supports the student’s need for a separate living/sleeping space to be able to access and utilize housing. For example, a student who needs to utilize specialized medical equipment may need extra space. This is an access need because, without extra space to utilize medical equipment, the student would not be able to participate equitably in the housing program. When a single room is assigned as an accessibility accommodation to create access, the University of La Verne bills the student at the standard room double rate for the residence hall in which they reside. 

Frequently asked questions where an individual may not meet the reasonable accessibility accommodation required for access:

Student housing options at the University of La Verne are designed as living spaces; they do not fall into the category of needing to be quiet study spaces for disabilities that affect focus, concentration, or distractibility. As the University of La Verne’s on-campus housing mirrors an apartment complex setting, it cannot be guaranteed that living in close proximity to others with a private room will ensure a quiet, distraction-free space beyond what is reasonable in a standard double room. As resident comfort is a priority, there are alternative settings available that provide quiet and private spaces for students to study, relax, and be alone:

Having a diagnosis and wanting a private space to be alone or decompress generally may not rise to the level of being a disability that requires a single room to remove barriers related to access. The campus setting provides alternative places for students to decompress, unwind, and process their emotions outside of their living space. Options include:

The campus setting is a shared space for peers in multiple settings, including classrooms, campus dining, athletic and fine arts facilities, etc. Rarely does a student’s disability rise to the level of being unable to do so in a shared living space. In a standard shared residence, students are assigned their own bed, dresser, closet, and study space. When it comes to issues like quiet hours, noise levels, visitors, cleaning responsibilities, etc., this space allows students to learn essential skills of communication, compromise, and respect for others’ boundaries when living with a roommate. However, these may be new skills for many students who have never had to share a room with another family member. Community standards for behavior are listed in the current Student Code of Conduct, and housing staff members are available to assist students who need assistance with negotiating concerns.

Although roommate connections can develop into lifelong friendships, a less-than-ideal roommate experience may also occur. However, Housing and Residential Life and the Student Code of Conduct have tools and procedures for dealing with roommate concerns. Appointments can be made with your Resident Assistant (RA) or Residential Coordinator to discuss the situation. For more information, visit the Roommate Resource page.

All students, regardless of housing status, should consider protecting valuables and medications by:

  • Utilizing a lockbox or a small safe that should be tucked away and out of sight
  • Locking your dorm room door when you leave

Students requesting housing accommodations must complete a Housing Accommodation Request Form and submit documentation (see documentation guidelines below). Please include all relevant information in your personal statement in the request form that makes a connection between the disability related impacts and the requested accommodation(s). Once the form is submitted, you’ll be prompted to upload your supporting documentation. Alternatively, you may email documentation to accessibilityservices@laverne.edu. All information/documentation that is submitted by students is considered confidential.

A student’s healthcare provider’s documentation must establish:

  • The nature of the student’s disability
  • Compelling evidence, including treatment history, to indicate the impact on full participation and/or accessibility of any aspect of the college experience, specifically residential and/or academic environment
  • A substantial degree of functional impairment to one or more major life activities
  • Sufficient explanation of how the requested housing accommodation will allow the student to effectively access and participate in residential life
  • List of all recommended accommodations that will provide the student’s access to residential life programs

The housing application for the 2025-2026 school year is now available. Although housing accommodation requests can be submitted at any time, we encourage you to request early, as spaces are limited. 

For information regarding requesting accommodations for Emotional Support Animals, click here.

Note: If the student wishes to make a housing accommodation request and currently receives academic accommodations, they must submit the Housing Accommodation Request Form separately. 

 

Students who experience injuries, surgeries, extended illness, or any other sudden medical condition may need temporary academic, housing, or facility-related accommodations.  Whenever possible,  Accessibility Services and Housing & Residential Life will arrange for any necessary changes to student housing in order to accommodate unexpected accessibility needs. Contact the  Accessibility Services by calling 909-448-4938 or emailing accessibilityservices@laverne.edu if you are experiencing a condition that requires temporary accommodations. Due to space limitations, the University of La Verne does not guarantee that requests can be honored at any given time.