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Housing Accommodations

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Housing Accommodations

There is a space on the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) application to notify our staff of any special accommodations you may be needing. That information will be kept confidential. 

On-campus residence hall accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Adapted housing space is limited so we encourage you to apply early and register with The Office of Student Accommodations & Testing (OSAT) as soon as possible. Housing has ADA accessible rooms in each of its residence halls and will do everything it can to accommodate the needs of students.

Students need to contact The Office of Student Accommodations & Testing to get approval for any Housing accommodation.

Students should also reach out to The Office of Student Accommodations & Testing for assistance with any accommodations needed outside of Housing. From note-taking assistance to auxiliary aids, OSAT provides students, staff, faculty, and guests with an assortment of accessibility services.

When is the best time to get your accommodation?

We recommend that the resident contacts OSAT as soon as they apply to Housing to ensure there is plenty of time to prepare their medical documents and for HRL to prepare the accommodation. Animal accommodations will go through a secondary meeting for approval status, given that requirements are met. Room type or modifications may require additional information by HRL to serve the resident’s needs better. Dependent of the recommendation and our availability, we will accommodate in the order we receive applications.   

Per our ESA policy, roommates and suitemates are notified of the approved animal after the HRL Coordinator and resident have met. Information remains confidential and only the animal type is mentioned. For staff and residents to be as prepared as possible, having these steps completed and being approved with HRL by July 1st is preferred. We understand that not every recommendation follows this timeline, so please know they may still be accepted upon your animal meeting our requirements. 

 

University Approved Animals Allowed on Campus Housing

Service Animals

Animals that have been trained to perform work or tasks that assist individuals with disabilities. As of 2011, only dogs, and in special circumstances miniature horses, are legally considered service animals in the United States under The Americans with Disabilities Act. Such animals might guide individuals with impaired vision, alert individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or other sounds, pull a wheelchair, fetch items used in daily living, etc. 

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

Animals that alleviate one or more identified effects of an individual’s disability. A medical professional that has history with their patient typically recommends the ESA. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals. The degree of access is limited strictly to the resident’s individual bedroom space, other than when needing to enter and exit the building. Service Animals are allowed to go where needed on campus per the accommodation. The resident should have spent significant time with the ESA before bringing to campus.

Getting your University Animal approved

  1. Fill out the New Student Application Form
  2. Meet with OSAT Coordinator
  3. Recommendation from OSAT Coordinator is provided to HRL Coordinator
  4. HRL Coordinator reaches out to set up meeting and requests animal records
    • The animal's health records are required before meeting with the HRL Coordinator to allow time to look over information and confirm they are in good standing. ESA will be denied if the requirements are not met (see below). 
  5. HRL Coordinator and resident meet
  6. Agreement is sent electronically to be signed
  7. Animal is allowed in the dorms 48 hours after the meeting with HRL Coordinator, provided the agreement has been signed

Documentation Requirements for Animals in Campus Housing

  1. Completed recommendation from OSAT
  2. Updated vaccination records
    • Dogs: Bordetella/Kennel Cough, Rabies, and recommended Combination Vaccine (ex: DAPP/DHPP)
    • Cats: Feline Leukemia Vaccine or a Negative test result, Rabies and recommended Combination Vaccine (ex: FVRCP)
    • Other animals: Veterinarian recommendations
    • If your Veterinarian does not recommend the required vaccinations, please have this documented or have them reach out to us to clarify 
  3. All animals must be at least 6 months old upon move in for medical and behavior purposes

 

Questions?

Melissa Hughes, Administrative Assistant - Service/Emotional Support Animal Accommodations

(316) 978-3717 or melissa.hughes@wichita.edu

Hannah Ross, Occupancy & Communications Specialist - Occupancy and Building Accommodations

(316) 978-6734 or hannah.ross@wichita.edu

 

 

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