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Policy Number: SA.037
Effective Date: 03/11/21
Approval Date: 03/11/21
Purpose
Life University (“Life” or the “University”) recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations in its housing policies and practices where necessary for individuals with disabilities to use and enjoy University housing. This Policy explains the specific requirements and guidelines which govern requests for reasonable accommodation in University housing. Life reserves the right to amend this policy at any time as circumstances require.
Policy Title
Life University General Housing Policy
Policy Statement
In keeping with its commitment to a community free from discrimination, the University sets forth the following procedures by which qualified individuals may obtain reasonable housing accommodations.
Procedure(s)
Procedure for Requesting Reasonable Accommodation (Excluding Requests for Service Animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act)
Student Success Center Disability Services (Disability Services) is responsible for evaluating whether to grant or deny requests for reasonable accommodation in University housing. In evaluating the request, Disability Services will consult with Residence Life, as necessary, to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary and reasonable. Individuals with a disability residing or intending to reside in University housing who believe they need a reasonable accommodation must contact Disability Services.
Requests for reasonable accommodation in University Housing policies and practices are governed by the following requirements:
Requesting a Housing Accommodation
An individual with a disability must provide documentation supporting the need for a housing accommodation.
Life will accept and consider requests for reasonable accommodation in University housing at any time. The individual making the request for accommodation should provide documentation to Disability Services as soon as practicably possible before moving into University housing. However, if the request for accommodation is made fewer than 60 days before the individual intends to move into University housing, Life cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the individual’s accommodation needs during the first quarter or term of occupancy.
If the need for the accommodation arises when an individual already resides in University housing, the individual should contact Disability Services and provide supporting documentation as soon as practicably possible. Life cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the accommodation needs during the quarter or term in which the request is received.
Absent exceptional circumstances, the University will attempt to communicate a response to a reasonable accommodation request within ten (10) business days of receiving the information described below.
Information that May Be Requested for Housing-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests
Disability Services will limit its requests for information to only information that is necessary to verify whether the individual making the request has a disability and/or to evaluate if the reasonable accommodation is necessary to provide the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing. It is the individual’s responsibility to cooperate with Disability Service’s reasonable requests for information.
Obvious Disability:
If the individual’s disability and the necessity for the accommodation are obvious (e.g. an individual with a physical disability using a wheelchair needs an accessible room), the individual need only explain what type of accommodation they are requesting. No verification of disability and/or necessity is required under these circumstances.
Non-Obvious Disability/Necessity:
If the disability is obvious but the need for the accommodation is not obvious, the University may require the individual to provide documentation or a Verification form from a reliable third party to verify that the requested accommodation is necessary to provide the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University Housing.
If the disability and necessity for the accommodation are not obvious, Disability Services will require the individual to provide documentation or a Verification form and designate a reliable third party who can verify that the individual has a disability and that
the requested accommodation is necessary to provide the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing.
A reliable third party is someone who is familiar with the individual’s disability and the necessity for the requested accommodation. A reliable third-party includes, but is not limited to, a doctor or other medical professional.
Absent exceptional circumstances, within ten (10) business days of receiving documentation or the Verification Form from the third-party, the Director of Disability Services or designee will determine if the accommodation is necessary because of a disability to provide the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing.
If the third party returns documentation or the Verification Form without sufficient information for Disability Services to determine whether an accommodation is necessary, the Director of Disability Services or designee will inform the individual of the documentation or verification’s insufficiency and may request additional information, including speaking directly with the individual supplying the third-party documentation or verification, within ten (10) business days of receiving the documentation or verification.
The individual making the request for accommodation must cooperate with Disability Services in a timely manner in providing all information needed to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary.
Determination of Reasonableness
1). Disability Services may deny the requested accommodation if it is unreasonable. Disability Services will consult with Housing and Residence Life to determine if implementing the requested accommodation is reasonable.
2). An accommodation is unreasonable if it: (1) imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden; (2) fundamentally alters university housing policies; (3) poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial property damage to the property of others, including University property; and/or (4) is otherwise unreasonable.
Approval of Accommodation
If Disability Services determines a requested accommodation is necessary and is not unreasonable, it will contact the individual within ten (10) business days of its determination to arrange a meeting to discuss the implementation of the accommodation.
Denial of Accommodation/Appeal
Informal Resolution of a Concern Related to a Disability:
An enrolled student who has a concern of disability-based discrimination or a concern over the denial of an accommodation must discuss that concern with the Director of Disability Services at 770-426-2725. The Director of Disability Services will address that concern with relevant faculty and/or administration and/or the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) and notify the student of the resolution of the student’s concern.
Formal Grievance Process:
After exhausting the informal resolution process, any enrolled student may file a formal grievance of disability-based discrimination or denial of accommodations with the Grievance Committee Chair/ Monica Ward who can be contaced at monica.ward@life.edu (770) 426-2943 x.2943. A written grievance statement must be made in writing within (10) school days of the action giving rise to the grievance and must be filed with the Grievance Committee Chair on the correct form (which is available from the Grievance Committee Chair, or the SSC). The grievance must describe in detail the action or decision the student alleges is in conflict with their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, or other applicable law. A student should also submit other documentation to support their grievance. The student must sign a release form stating that they understand that their disability grievance will be discussed by the members of the Grievance Committee, the staff of the Student Success Center, and/or members of the Disability Advisory Committee in order to allow the Grievance Committee to determine how best to address the grievance. All members of the Grievance Committee will sign confidentiality agreements prior to reviewing any information.
Confidentiality and Recordkeeping
In processing requests for reasonable accommodations, the University will take all steps required by federal, state, and/or local law to protect the confidentiality of any information or documentation disclosed in connection with the requests.
Non-Retaliation Provision
Life will not retaliate against any individual because that individual has requested or received a reasonable accommodation in University housing.
Other Notes
Revised on 9/22/20
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