Medical Accommodations for Housing Overview

Residence Life strives to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and safe living environment for all residential Westminster students. We hold that campus living is an important and invaluable social experience at Westminster. In order to ensure that all students can participate in the campus residence experience, as fully as possible, we provide reasonable housing accommodations to students with disabilities.

Review

The Housing Accommodation Review process is intended to ensure that any requested housing accommodation 1) is reasonable and practicable, 2) does not substantially alter the intended goals and provisions of Westminster’s existing residence policies, and 3) serves to resolve, ameliorate, or address one or more significant barriers to accessing a safe, inclusive, and equitable residence housing environment, which are directly associated with a student’s diagnosed disability.

Timeline and Due Dates

Current Students 

For accommodations for the 2024-2025 academic year, please know that initial review period has concluded. Forms can still be submitted for review; however, please note  there will be a delayed review time due to the timing of the forms. If you have any questions please reach out to Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources or the Residence Life office.

The priority accommodation process for current Westminster Students for the 2024-2025 academic year is as follows:

  • Turn in both forms before Friday, February 2, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. to Faith Craig in the Office of Disability Resources. They are attached in the Related Documents section:
    • Student Form
    • Physician Form

Forms submitted prior to Friday, February 2, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. will be reviewed the first week of February. Forms received after this date will be reviewed, after our incoming student placements are completed, starting June 15, 2024. Exceptions to this will be made on a case by case basis through the Housing Accommodations Committee. At that time, the available housing options will be significantly decreased so students are highly encouraged to submit materials by the stated due date.

Incoming Students 

We ask that incoming students submit forms as soon as possible after their initial deposit to ensure a timely review prior to their housing assignment. We acknowledge that it may take students time to navigate Westminster College and the process and will continue to process requests as they are received. Please note requests received after June 1, 2024, if approved, may be placed on a waitlist until available housing to meet an accommodation becomes available. 

On/Off Campus Accommodations

Please note that our priority is to make accommodations within our campus housing stock. We are able to provide a variety of environments that can meet the needs of many of our students with medical/psychological conditions. Westminster College holds the value of a residential experience as vital to students’ success. As such, every attempt will be made to accommodate students within on campus housing and off campus accommodations will only be explored when all other options have been exhausted.

Dietary Needs If the basis of your request is dietary your request should be made through the Office of Disability Resources. While there may be housing implications, these accommodations are not housing accommodations.

The Gender Affirming Housing Program at Westminster College works actively with students to have the ability to feel safe, welcomed, and in our residence halls that best meet their needs regardless of their gender identity.

For any student interested in a gender affirming room assignment, we ask that students set-up an appointment by emailing residencelife@westminster.edu. Our staff will work with you in a personal, confidential, and informed manner to discuss what housing options are available. We encourage students to reach out to us early in the process so that we may offer the widest range of housing options. However, there is no guarantee that a particular space will be available.

Some housing options a student may be assigned include:

  • Single or double room with a private bath
  • Single or double room with a gender-neutral bathroom in close proximity
  • Single or double room with an attached semi-private bathroom shared with another single or double room

During this appointment, our staff will also guide students through various living arrangements and how that our staff can best support them during their residential experience.

If you have any additional questions or would like to learn more, please email residencelife@westminster.edu.

In order for you to have a standing housing accommodation with us, you will need to fill out an application process. There are two parts to the applications, one that is filled out by a student and another filled out by the physician. Both of these forms will need to be completed and turned in for an application to be reviewed. Additionally, please know there is more paperwork needed for Emotional Support Animals.

If you would like these applications, please reach out to Faith Craig at craigfa@westminster.edu.