Claremont McKenna recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations and modifications to housing policies to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to the college’s Residential Program.
Housing requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act, The Federal Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and subsequent amendments or other regulations as appropriate.
Please note, housing accommodations include a two-step process. While Accessibility Services is responsible for evaluating whether to grant or deny a request, we do not determine placement (building placement, room assigned, etc.,). Placement is at the discretion of The Office of Residential Life. If approved for housing accommodations, placement is also subject to space and availability. In evaluating the request, Accessibility Services may consult with the Student Disability Resource Center and other need-to-know individuals, as necessary, to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary and reasonable.
Requests for particular housing assignments based on a student’s preference, rather than need, for a type of living environment, such as a certain type of room, location, or desire for a quiet place to study or complete assignments, will not be honored. Single rooms represent a small portion of available housing options and are granted as accommodations only in necessary circumstances.
- Single rooms are not available to first-year students without accommodations
- It is not common for a single room accommodation to be granted due to a diagnosis of anxiety. However, all requests will be reviewed individually and will be determined based on demonstrated need, not on a specific diagnosis.
In addition, residential buildings and housing units with air-conditioning do not guarantee low allergens, better air quality, or consistent air temperatures. CMC is not an allergen-free campus and is unable to restrict the behavior of others in academic or residential settings.
Lastly, please be advised that a diagnosis of a medical or psychological condition does not automatically warrant the approval of a housing accommodation. Alternative reasonable accommodations may be offered.
Step 1: Submit a Housing Accommodation Application
Students may submit a housing accommodation at any time, however, we strongly encourage applications to be submitted within the deadlines to ensure the best opportunity for the requested accommodation to be provided. Below are the priority deadlines:
- June 14 for the fall semester (Incoming students - Newly accepted)
- October 11th for the Spring semester
- March 15th for the upcoming year (25-26)
*Transfer students are not guaranteed on-campus housing by the College. If a transfer student seeks housing accommodations, they shall request as close to their deposit date as possible for a case-by-case consideration for on-campus housing and accommodations.
To apply for housing accommodations please complete a New Student Registration form or submit an Additional Accommodation Request Form (if you are already registered with AS). Please be sure that the statement required includes specific information about your documented diagnosis and the inability to live in the housing assigned.
Step 2: Submit Supporting Documentation
Please carefully review the Documentation Guidelines(link) for a clear understanding of the necessary supporting documentation. This will help expedite the review process and reduce the need for additional information. Students with a visible disability (e.g., an individual with a physical disability using a wheelchair needing an accessible room) only need to explain what type of accommodations they are requesting. No verification of disability will be required under such circumstances.
In addition to the general documentation guidelines, documentation for a housing accommodation request must clearly address the following:
- Documentation must establish a clear relationship between the functional limitations related to the diagnosis and the need for the accommodation and/or modification to CMC’s housing policies, practices, or services. It must state how the requested housing accommodation will provide equal access to CMC’s Residential
- Life by mitigating the functional limitations associated with the diagnosis.
- If a student is making a request based on a diagnosis of a sleep disorder, including but not limited to Insomnia, the documentation provided must include a formal sleep study that illustrates the diagnosis and impact.
Step 3: Schedule an Intake Meeting
Once you have completed Step 1 and 2, you will be invited to participate in an intake meeting to help determine eligibility. The process entails sharing of information related to the impact and limitations of the disability which will help us better understand how we can support you.
Step 4: Determination of Accommodation
If a housing accommodation request is considered necessary and reasonable, Accessibility Services will notify the student shortly after the intake meeting. The Office of Residential Life will also be notified and proceed with contacting the student to make arrangements. Please be sure to respond promptly to any requests or information needed by the Residential Life team to facilitate the implementation of your accommodation.
The institution may deny an accommodation for the following reasons:
- Incomplete information: Documentation submitted does not providesufficient information to determine the necessity of an accommodation.
- Unreasonable Accommodation: (1) imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden, (2) fundamentally alters housing policies or (3) poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial property damage.
For information regarding appeal of a decision, please see Appeals and Grievances.
Students are able to request housing accommodations based on a direct impact of a diagnosis to ensure equal access to the use and enjoyment of CMC’s Residential Life.
The following are examples of housing accommodations:
- Single room
- Flooring type
- Temperature control
- Building level
- Various bathroom access
- Wheelchair accessible room and bathroom
- Ability to have an Emotional Support Animal live in residence halls/apartments
- Furniture adjustments