Texas State University – San Marcos residence halls and apartments provide a living environment that allows students access to the campus and its facilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Texas State recognizes that students with disabilities may have special housing needs, therefore a variety of living options are available to these students. The Department of Residence Life offers traditional, suite-style, and apartment-style living across the campus.

It is the responsibility of the student with a disability to make specific housing needs known to the Department of Residence Life at least eight (8) weeks prior to the opening of the halls each semester. Failure to submit a request by the designated deadline may result in a delay of the requested accommodation. Late requests may also result in limited availability of housing options.

Architectural Accommodations
The student with a disability, who may require a physical change to a University residence hall or apartment, must follow the procedures outlined below. Architectural accommodations may include, but are not limited to visual door bells, visual fire alarms, grab bars, and shower benches. In order to meet the disability-related needs of an individual student, facilities with existing accessibility features may be further modified as required to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines (AADAG) ADA/Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) code. The university will assume the cost of the required accommodation after specific accommodation requests are approved by the Office of Disability Services. If the student with disability-related needs requests, and is approved for, university housing with ADA architectural features, the university will provide a priority assignment to accessible housing.

Housing Assignment Accommodations
The student with a disability who may require an assignment accommodation in any campus residence hall or university-owned apartment must follow the procedures outlined below. Assignment accommodations may include, but are not limited to, priority assignment to a specific room type, floor, hall, hall type, or apartment complex. Roommate assignments for ADA accessible rooms will be assigned using the regular roommate assignment procedures.

If the assignment accommodation of a private room is requested for any reason including dietary needs, additional space, quiet environment, etc., and is determined by the university to be a reasonable accommodation, the student will be charged the private room rate for the room and hall in which he or she resides. The priority assignment of a private room will be considered the accommodation provided by the university.

Request for Exemption from the University Housing Policy (Live-on-Campus Rule)
The student with a disability who requests an exemption from the University Housing Policy must submit an Exemption from University Housing Residency Requirement form with supporting documentation, as outlined below. The Department of Residence Life will only grant an exemption on the basis of disability-related needs if they are unable to accommodate the student’s needs in one of on-campus residence halls or apartments.

Housing Documentation Requirements
The Department of Residence Life in conjunction the Office of Disability Services will evaluate all accommodation requests on an individual basis. All requests must include:
1. documentation of need that is the basis of the request;
2. a description of the desired accommodation or housing configuration;
3. an explanation of how the request relates to the disability;
4. if applicable, a description of what steps have been attempted to address the need for which the accommodation is now requested; and
5. possible alternatives if the requested accommodation or configuration is not possible.

Disability Documentation Requirements
In order to fairly and equitably evaluate requests based on a disability, Texas State will require documentation of disability. If documentation of disability is on file with the Office of Disability Services, please note, documentation should include:
1. a diagnostic statement including the date of the most recent evaluation;
2. the diagnostic criteria or tests used;
3. the current impact of, or limitations imposed by the disability;
4. treatments, medications, devices or services currently prescribed or used to minimize the impact of the disability;
5. the expected duration, stability or progression of the disability; and
6. credentials of the diagnosing professional including contact information.
7. In addition, recommendations related to the housing accommodation or configuration from the treating professional will be given consideration in the evaluation process. Recommendations may include:

• A. a clear description of the housing accommodation or configuration;
• B. how the recommended accommodation or housing configuration impacts the disability;
• C. possible alternatives to the recommended accommodation or configuration; and
• D. The level of need for the recommended accommodation or housing configuration,
• E. The consequences of not receiving the accommodation or housing.

All documentation supporting the housing request should be sent to the Department of Residence Life, attached to the Exemption form. If the documentation submitted does not meet the criteria noted above or if additional documentation is required, this may result in a delay of the requested accommodation. All information provided will be considered confidential. The Department of Residence Life will provide a written response to the housing request within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the request.

Personal Attendant Services
Texas State is not responsible for providing an individual with a disability with services of a personal nature, such as assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing. If a student is planning to reside in university housing and requires personal services, he or she must provide Residence Life with documentation from an appropriate agency or service that confirms the necessary assistance will be in place effective on the date of residency. If a non Texas State University individual serves as a personal attendant for a student with a disability, he/she may reside in the same room with the student for whom they are providing attendant services. This individual will be required to adhere to all university policies, procedures, and regulations. The student will be charged the private room rate.

Service/Assistance Animals
The student who requires the use of a service/assistance animal on campus, including university housing, must meet the criteria for accommodations and/or services outlined in the university Procedures for Service Animals available at http://www.ods.txstate.edu/procedures_for_animals.htm, or upon request from the Office of Disability Services.

University Housing Accommodation Agreement
Prior to check in, the student with a disability for whom accommodations have been requested and approved by the university must sign a University Housing Accommodation Agreement. The agreement will outline what accommodations have been approved by the university based on the documentation provided, any architectural accessibility features the university will provide to ensure equal access, and the type of living option to which the student has been assigned including the contracted rate.

Provision of an accommodation in the form of a private room is not a matter of convenience, but one of access to the housing program for the student with a disability where the disability documentation substantiates need. This determination will be made by Residence Life in consultation with the Office of Disability Services. In appropriate circumstances the university will make an individualized determination as to whether an exception to the room-rate policy is needed as a modification to this policy.

Appeal Process
If an accommodation is denied, or if an exemption request has been denied, the student may appeal that decision. The student must submit a written statement of appeal and may include any new documentation that was not originally reviewed or available, which supports the original request. The Director of Residence Life or designee will respond in writing within ten days. This will be final decision regarding the request.