Housing Accommodations

Wagner College recognizes that residence hall living is integral to a college experience.  Accordingly, we recognize that students with disabilities may require a specific type of housing to fully participate in the residential component of the college experience. For students with documented disabilities, Wagner College will make every effort to provide reasonable disability housing accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA).  A disability is defined under the ADAAA as any mental or physical impairment that substantially limits the individual in a major life activity compared to the average person. Wagner College has established the following procedures to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to residential housing.

Housing Accommodation Policy

  • Process for Requesting 
  • Documentation Guidelines 
  • Factors Considered 
Medical Housing Accommodation Request Process  To complete a medical housing accommodation request, students must follow a two-part application process:  

Part 1: Medical Housing Accommodation Request Form

Students must complete the Medical Housing Accommodation Request Form, available on the
housing portal under Forms → Medical Housing Accommodation Request Form.  
  • Fall Semester Deadlines:
    • Returning students: March 15
    • New students: July 1
  • Spring Semester Deadlines:
    • Returning students: October 1
    • New students: January 1

Part 2: Medical Housing Accommodation Documentation Form

This form must be completed by a licensed medical professional who is:  
  • Not a relative of the student
  • Not an employee of the Wagner College Center for Health & Wellness, Nursing Program, or any affiliated office
Requests should be submitted before the published deadlines to ensure consideration during housing assignments.   The Medical Housing Committee—composed of representatives from the Center for Health & Wellness, Accessibility Services, and Residential Education—reviews all requests. Students will be notified of decisions via campus email.   If medical concerns arise during the semester, the committee may reconvene to review additional requests as needed.  
Important Notes 
  • Incomplete requests will not be considered.
  • Only applications that demonstrate a qualifying disability will be reviewed for accommodation.
Appeals Process  Students have the right to appeal the committee’s decision. To initiate an appeal, students must notify the committee.   Appeals are reviewed based on one of the following grounds: 
  1. New documentation of a new or significantly updated diagnosis submitted after the original application
  2. A procedural error in the review process
An appeals officer will be appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs to review the case. 
The College requires documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that clearly describes the student’s disability and supports the request for a medical housing accommodation.   The healthcare provider must:  
  • Not be related to the student
  • Not be affiliated with the Wagner College Center for Health & Wellness, as staff serve on the Medical Housing Accommodation Committee
Documentation Requirements 
  • Must be recent (within one year of the request)
  • Must establish a clear, direct link between the documented disability and the requested housing accommodation
Unacceptable Forms of Documentation 
  • Letters from a healthcare provider submitted without the official Medical Housing Accommodation Documentation Form
  • Handwritten patient records or chart notes
  • Diagnoses written on prescription pads
  • Self-evaluations from online or printed sources
  • Research articles
  • Incomplete documentation forms
  • Any documentation deemed insufficient by the committee to support the request
Factors Considered When Evaluating Requests  The submitted request and supporting documentation are reviewed carefully on a
case-by-case basis using the following criteria:  
  1. Severity of the Condition 
    1. Is the impact of the condition life-threatening if the request is not met?
    2. Is there a risk of permanent negative health effects if the request is not met?
    3. Is the request an integral component of the treatment plan for the condition?
    4. What is the likely impact on academic performance if the request is not met?
    5. What is the likely impact on social development if the request is not met?
  2. Flexibility and Availability 
    1. Is space available that meets the student’s needs?
    2. Is the student in Greek or themed community housing? If so, can the requested
      configuration be met within that area?
    3. Can the space be adapted to meet the request without creating a safety hazard
      such as electrical load or emergency egress concerns?
    4. Are there alternative housing configurations or methods that would provide
      similar benefits?
A follow-up conversation with the treating professional by a member of the
Center for Health and Wellness staff may be necessary. 

 

The Housing Accommodation Request Form can be found on a student’s housing portal. Please visit housing.wagner.edu and complete the Housing Accommodation Request Form.

Please have your documentation submitted by a licensed medical professional.

Housing Accommodation Documentation Form