Niagara University-OAS

Western New York has been known to experience winters with sustained cold temperatures as well as snow and ice -- even into April! Because the weather can be unpredictable, resident students who have mobility needs and/or who use wheelchairs should follow these procedures so that specific needs can be addressed:

1) Contact Diane Stoelting, Coordinator of Specialized Support Services each semester to identify your needs, campus residence, and schedule. Contact information.

2) Diane Stoelting will inform Facility Services where students live on campus. Note that this notification only includes students who disclose mobility-related needs to Diane Stoelting.

3) Facility Services will contact the appropriate snow removal contractors/Niagara staff/etc. to make clearing the sidewalks/roadways, etc. around these buildings a priority as early as possible during the winter months.

4) As needed, students with mobility-related needs can a) contact Niagara's Work Order Clerk, Gladys, at 286-8430 as early as possible to alert the snow removal contractors of specific situations that need attention, or b) contact Campus Safety at 286-8111 to request transport if weather conditions are severe.

Residence life is a significant part of the Niagara University experience. Living on campus allows for interaction among students, providing both educational and social experiences that contribute to individual development, personal enrichment and self-expression, along with the opportunity to live among people with different cultural backgrounds.

Students who live on campus also tend to perform better academically, acclimate more rapidly to the collegiate environment, become involved in a greater number of learning experiences that complement classroom teachings, and are more satisfied in general with the college experience.

At times, requests for exceptions to housing policies are made to the University. Each exception is evaluated carefully given the goals of housing stated above. Procedures for requesting either an on-campus housing accommodation (e.g., single room, accessible room, private bathroom access) or a residency exemption (need to live off campus) are described below.

Please contact Kim Zukowski, Director of Housing, at 716-286-8568 or Diane Stoelting, Coordinator of Specialized Support Services, at 716-286-8076 if you have any questions or need additional information.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

_____ 1. Meet Deadlines

Follow the established University Housing sign-up procedures including adherence to all deadlines.

_____ 2. Housing Request

Submit a written request for a housing accommodation to the Coordinator of Specialized Support Services (CSSS) at least two weeks prior to scheduled housing sign-up deadlines. The request should include a clear description of the desired housing request and why it is needed—explicit connections between the limitations of the disability and the request for on-campus housing accommodation or off-campus residency exemption must be clearly stated. Send the request to the CSSS – see last page for contact information.

_____ 3. Documentation of Disability

Send a Disability Verification Form, completed by the professional treating your disability/condition, to the CSSS at least two weeks prior to scheduled housing sign-up deadlines. This form can be obtained by contacting the CSSS. Note that the professional completing the Disability Verification Form must also have the appropriate credentials to treat the condition (i.e., medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, psychiatrist, psychologist). Send the completed form to the CSSS – see last page for contact information. All information is considered confidential.

_____ 4. Consent to Release

Sign a Consent to Release Information Form so that the appropriate offices on campus may be consulted regarding the student’s request. Contact the CSSS to make arrangements to sign this form – see last page for contact information.

_____ 5. Notification

Notify the Coordinator of Specialized Support Services and the Director of Housing prior to signing up for housing EACH year that accommodations are needed.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATION AND EXEMPTION CONSIDERATIONS:

Decisions regarding on-campus housing accommodations (e.g., single room, accessible room, private bathroom access) and residency exemptions (need to live off campus) are made by the Coordinator of Specialized Support Services. As needed, the decision will be made in consultation with other appropriate campus personnel who might include the Director of University Housing as well as personnel from the Counseling and Health Services Offices. Requests are carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis given the goals of housing, the documented impact of the student’s disability, as well as the factors listed below. The goal is to support both the student needs as documented by a qualified professional (i.e., medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, psychiatrist, psychologist, specialists) as well as the goals of university housing.

Considering the severity of the condition If the request is not met will the impact of the condition be life threatening or will there be any negative health impact that may be permanent? Is the request an integral component of a treatment plan for the condition in question? What is the likely impact on academic performance, social development, and/or on the student's level of comfort?

Considering the timing of the request Was the request made with the initial housing request? Was the request made before the deadline for housing requests for the semester in question? Was the request made as soon as possible after identifying the need (based on date of diagnosis, receipt of housing assignment, change in status, etc.)?

Considering the feasibility of the request and the availability of space Is space available that meets the student’s needs? Is the student in special interest housing on-campus? If so, can the requested room assignment or accommodation be met within that area on campus? Can space be adapted to provide the requested room assignment or accommodation without creating a safety hazard (electrical load, emergency egress, etc.)? Are there other effective methods, housing assignments, or accommodations that would achieve similar benefits as what was requested? How does meeting this request impact housing commitments to other students? Is the cost of meeting the request prohibitive?

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding disability-related housing requests, please contact:

Kim Zukowski, Director of Housing, O’Shea Hall, Niagara University NY 14109

716-286-8568 / FAX: 716-286-8333 / housing@niagara.edu

Diane Stoelting, Coordinator of Specialized Support Services

Seton Hall, Niagara University 14109

716-286-8076 / FAX: 716-286-8063 / ds@niagara.edu

Please contact Diane Stoelting at the contact information printed above if this information is needed in an alternative format.

Service Animal Policy - Currently under revision