Requesting Housing Accommodations

The accommodation process includes a request form, disability documentation, and a conversation with a member of the SAS team. Together, these help us understand the access barrier you’re experiencing and determine what accommodation may provide equitable access to campus housing.

Step 1: Register with SAS

If you haven’t already registered with Student Accessibility Services, complete the SAS Registration Form.

Step 2: Submit a Housing Request form

Log in to the SAS Portal with your Emerson credentials. Navigate to Accommodation on the left sidebar, then Housing Requests, then Add New. Then, fill out the Housing Request Form as directed. See below for deadlines.

Step 3: Submit Documentation

Provide documentation of the disability from a qualified treatment provider that satisfies the criteria outlined in the Documentation Guidelines for Housing Accommodation Requests.

Step 4: Meet with SAS

Once your request and documentation have been submitted, SAS will invite you to meet with a staff member. This conversation gives you an opportunity to share more about the barriers you’re experiencing and helps SAS better understand your request.

Students must submit a new housing accommodation request each year, along with current documentation.

SAS reviews each request individually. The team considers factors including whether the student has a disability, the access barrier the student is experiencing, how the requested accommodation relates to that barrier, and whether another reasonable accommodation or approach can provide equitable access.

Documentation from a medical or treatment provider is an important part of the process, but a provider’s recommendation does not automatically determine the accommodation that will be approved. If a recommendation is intended primarily to support academic success, or falls outside the scope of what is necessary for equal access, the student may be referred to other resources and/or offered alternative options that may better address the specific need.

SAS may consult with representatives from the following offices during the evaluation, including but not limited to the Emerson Wellness Center, Housing and Residential Education (HRE), and Facilities.

• Requests submitted by the on-time deadline are generally reviewed within 3–4 weeks.
• Late requests are generally reviewed within 6–8 weeks.
• The evaluation process pauses during HRE’s Housing Selection Period.
• You’ll receive the decision from SAS in writing.

If the request is approved:

SAS will notify Housing and Residential Education of the approved accommodation. HRE manages the housing-related steps, which may include placement, reassignment, release from a housing contract, or additional instructions.

• HRE will prioritize the approved accommodation when making your housing assignment
• Spaces will be assigned in accordance with the HRE’s housing assignment timeline.
• Based on the available housing inventory, the placement offered to the student may or may not be the approved accommodation; at times a reasonable alternative may be offered.

Emotional Support Animals

If your approved accommodation includes an emotional support animal, HRE will provide information about the additional steps required before the animal can live with you on campus.

If the request is not approved:

If your request is not approved and you believe the decision is unreasonable, you have 10 business days to provide additional supporting documentation to SAS for re-evaluation. The Director of SAS, or their designee, will provide the final decision in writing.

Documentation should be uploaded to the SAS Portal, sent to sas@emerson.edu, or faxed to 617.824.8941.

If you believe you experienced disability discrimination during the accommodation process, or in the outcome of your request, you may also pursue Emerson’s formal accommodation grievance process. To initiate a grievance, you must notify the Office of Equal Opportunity in writing of your intent to do so within 10 business days by emailing oeo@emerson.edu.

Housing accommodations are designed to address disability-related access barriers rather than housing preferences.

SAS generally does not consider the following to be disability-related housing accommodations:

• Requests for a particular residence hall, roommate, or suitemate;
• A single room primarily for studying or completing academic work; or
• A single room primarily for telehealth or therapy appointments.

Returning students who want to live with a particular roommate or group can use HRE’s Housing Selection process to pursue those preferences.

A few additional things to know:

• All Emerson residential buildings are air-conditioned.
• Because Emerson is located in downtown Boston, students should expect some variation in noise and activity around campus.
• All residence halls have access to a kitchenette or community kitchen. Please note: Allergy contamination is not monitored in housing. Emerson does not provide private kitchens and cannot guarantee kitchens are free from allergen cross-contact. If you have food allergies and/or gluten intolerance, we strongly suggest connecting with Bon Appétit.
• SAS cannot use documentation prepared by the Emerson Wellness Center to evaluate a housing accommodation request. EWC can help students connect with an outside provider if needed.