One of the most requested student accommodations is a single room. A single room can be approved as a disability accommodation only when clinical history and professional documentation clearly demonstrate a history of substantial limitations and provide a rationale that supports the student's need for a separate living/sleeping space to be able to access and utilize housing. For example, a student who needs extra space to utilize specialized medical equipment may need extra space or a certain size bathroom that is only available in a single room. This is an access need because, without extra space to utilize medical equipment, the student would not be able to participate equitably in the housing program. Legal precedence shows when a single room is assigned as a disability accommodation to create access, colleges should bill the student at the standard room double rate and not at the private rate.

ADHD, Generalized Anxiety, and Depression are diagnoses commonly presented as reasons a student believes they need a single room. However, these diagnoses rarely present as true barriers to access. Here are some of the most common concerns, and responses, when a student's request for a medical single room is likely not be determined to be a necessary and reasonable disability accommodation required for access.

What if my diagnosis means I need a quiet space to study?

Residence halls and student housing are designed as living areas. Thus, they do not fall into the category of needing to be quiet study spaces for disabilities that affect focus, concentration, or distractibility. Because of the number of people who live in close proximity, it is not logical to assume that having a private room would provide a quiet, distraction-free space to any appreciable degree beyond living in a standard double room. The campus residential experience extends beyond the sleeping space so there are multiple settings on campus (study rooms in residence halls, computer labs, library study rooms, outdoor areas, our Privacy Pods in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, etc.) that provide quiet and private places where students can study, relax, or be alone. Tools like noise-canceling headphones, white noise devices, or phone apps also can help block distracting sounds.

What if I need to be alone or have a single room to decompress?

Having a diagnosis of anxiety or depression and wanting a private space to be alone or to decompress generally does not rise to the level of having a disability that requires a single room to remove barriers related to access. Students have access to many places on campus and in the community to decompress, unwind, or process their emotions other than the room where they sleep. Here are several ideas:

• Enjoy solitary walks on campus grounds or at the nearby Boardman Arts Park which provides a paved path
• Find a private nook in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center or other academic buildings to nestle in and read or think
• Reserve a Privacy Pod in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center
• Sit at a picnic table or park bench provided at various locations throughout the campus
• Visit and explore the OWU Labyrinth for quiet reflection
• Use a white noise machine/phone app or earplugs/earphones to help block out extraneous sounds
• Schedule an appointment with Counseling Services to meet with a clinical counselor to process the challenges of transitioning to college life and learn skills to help with nervous system regulation.
• Work with Residential Life staff for guidance on conversation starters and boundary-setting
• Work with Residential Life staff to set up and host a Roommate Agreement meeting. They are skilled at working with roommates neutrally to help with boundary setting and expectation management to create a healthy living environment for each roommate.

What if I need to have control over my space?

On a college campus, students share spaces with peers in multiple settings including classrooms, campus dining, athletic and performance facilities, etc. Rarely does a student's disability rise to the level of being unable to do so in a shared living space. In the standard shared residence, students are assigned their own bed, dresser, closet, and study space. When it comes to issues like quiet hours, noise levels, visitors, cleaning responsibilities, etc., living with a roommate can help students learn essential skills like communication, compromise, and respect for others' boundaries. However, these may be new skills for many students who have never had to share a room. and Residential Life staff members are available to assist students who need help negotiating concerns.

What if I don't want to deal with a bad roommate?

Although many college alumni remain lifelong friends with former roommates, most who have attended college can recall a less-than-perfect roommate situation. However, Student Life and the have tools and procedures for dealing with roommate concerns. Work with OWU Counseling Services to talk through your past experiences, work through current concerns, determine possible strategies, and receive support.

Make an appointment with Residential Life staff to discuss how to resolve current roommate concerns.

What if I have medications I fear might be stolen?

• All students should consider locking valuables, including medications.
• Buy a lockbox or small safe to keep tucked away and out of sight.
• Lock your dorm room door when you leave.

What if I have a life-threatening food allergy and have concerns about sharing space where I might have a significant allergic reaction to something a roommate has brought into the room?

Make an appointment with Accessibility Services to discuss how the allergy concern can be abated within the context of shared community in Residential Life. Residential Life can also assist in matching the student with a roommate with similar allergens or who is willing to live in a space without bringing the allergen concern into the room. Residential Life can assist the students in setting additional boundaries within a roommate agreement to reduce incidents of cross-contamination and educate the roommate about significant food allergies.

What can I do if my request for a single room as a disability accommodation is denied but I still want a single room and none are available?

Students may request to be placed on a waiting list for a single room if private spaces are filled at the time of the request. Sometimes, single rooms become available after the start of the semester. Additional fees are applied to private rooms in residence halls for students who are not approved for a private room as an accommodation for disability.

I have read all of the above and still believe I may qualify for housing accommodation due to disability-related access barriers to residential living. 

Housing Accommodation Request Forms

Students should proceed with having their specialist provider (not typically a PCP or General Practitioner) complete pages 4-6 of the above Housing Accommodation Request Forms. Students must also submit a personal statement (no more than 500 words) discussing the disability-related rationale for the requested modification to campus living. Students submitting housing accommodation forms should expect to meet with the Accessibility Services Director to discuss campus living barriers.