Special Housing Accommodation Requests - Forms and Process

IMPORTANT SUBMISSION DEADLINES (2025-2026) Deadlines for special housing accommodation requests have been established so that review and determinations can happen prior to the completion of the general housing assignment process conducted by the Office of Residential Education & Housing. Students must adhere to the appropriate deadlines. Special housing accommodation requests require advance planning and documentation of the disability. To be considered for a special housing accommodation, students must submit all required information by the following dates: January 24 for Fall 2025 Term (returning students) June 16 for Fall 2025 Term (incoming students)

***Be advised that all students must still participate in the Housing Deposit and/or General Housing Application processes while they are going through this Special Housing Accommodation Request process, to be eligible for housing.***

Union College is committed to providing reasonable and appropriate housing accommodations to students with disabilities who have a documented need. The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Fair Housing Act.

Special housing accommodations are intended for students with a qualifying disability that substantially limits their ability to function daily in a residence hall environment. Such an accommodation is not based solely on a diagnosis, but rather on a comprehensive analysis of a student’s disability and how that disability directly and significantly interferes with one or more major life activity/activities as would be encountered in the residential setting.

The special housing accommodation process is designed to address the housing needs of students with disabilities that cannot be met readily through the general housing selection process.

To receive consideration for a special housing accommodation assignment, students are required to submit both sections of the Special Housing Accommodation Request Form. Section 1 must be completed in full by the student. Section 2 of the form must be completed in full, with official stamp, by a licensed professional who is currently treating the student and is qualified to address the student’s needs. (If your doctor's office does not have an official stamp, we will contact the office to confirm information in your request form, including dates of treatment.) A primary care provider is acceptable in some circumstances, however, a treating specialist is highly preferred. The provider may not be a relative or close friend of the student or the student’s family.

Be advised that all students must still participate in the Housing Deposit and/or General Housing Application processes while they are going through this Special Housing Accommodation Request process, to be eligible for housing.

Additional important information related to the special housing accommodation process and form can be found in the Requesting Special Housing Accommodations Guidance

The completed form must be submitted to accommodations@union.edu. Special housing requests are subject to recommendation by the Special Housing Committee (SHC) based on submitted information, including information provided directly by the student as well as the treating professional.

IMPORTANT SUBMISSION DEADLINES (2025-2026)

Deadlines for special housing accommodation requests have been established so that review and determinations can happen prior to the completion of the general housing assignment process conducted by the Office of Residential Education & Housing. Students must adhere to the appropriate deadlines. Special housing accommodation requests require advance planning and documentation of the disability. To be considered for a special housing accommodation, students must submit all required information by the following dates:

• January 24 for Fall 2025 Term (returning students)
• June 16 for Fall 2025 Term (incoming students)

** Please note that students requesting approval for an Assistance Animal on campus should review the Assistance Animal Housing Accommodation request process.

If you are currently approved for a special housing accommodation and are returning to Union for the next academic year, complete the Special Housing Accommodation - Returning Student Information Form / Renewal Form regardless of whether or not you are requesting to renew your currently-approved special housing accommodation(s). The form is intended to simplify the request renewal process for returning students who wish to have the same special housing accommodation(s) for the following academic year; it will also inform the Special Housing Committee if returning students are not requesting their currently-approved special housing accommodation(s) for the following academic year.

Be advised that although a special housing accommodation can be renewed for the following academic year, there is no guarantee as to availability of the same residence hall and/or room assignment. The Special Housing Committee does not issue room assignments, as that is under the purview of the Office of Residential Education and Housing.

NOTE: If you need to request an additional and/or different special housing accommodation beyond your current special housing accommodation, you should NOT use the Returning Student Information Form / Renewal Form. If you plan to request additional and/or different special housing accommodations (or if you plan to bring a different assistance animal to campus), you must submit the appropriate forms located on the Accommodative Services webpage.

• The Special Housing Committee reserves the right to require students to submit updated documentation, including any pertinent request forms in order to renew their special housing accommodation(s).

A student whose request for a special housing accommodation is denied may request reconsideration only if new/additional supporting documentation is provided. Requests for reconsideration, including the new/additional supporting documents, must be submitted by the following dates:

• February 10 for Fall 2025 Term (returning students)
• July 7 for Fall 2025 Term (incoming students)

The Special Housing Committee does not determine room assignments. For information regarding the housing assignment process for students with approved special housing accommodations, please visit the Office of Residential Education's webpage.