When a student has a medical or psychological condition that may require a particular type of housing or amenity, Accessibility & Disability Services facilitates an interactive process to ensure a student is not discriminated against solely on the basis of disability and has equal opportunity and the same level of access to the college housing experience as their nondisabled peers. To request a disability-related housing accommodation, students should follow the procedures and guidelines outlined below to assist the Student Accessibility & Disability Services and the Housing Accommodation Committee in understanding how the college housing experience will impact the students' functional limitations. The committee will then determine any reasonable adjustments that will allow the student to have equal access to the housing experience.

In general, Brevard College housing facilities consist primarily of double rooms, with two roommates sharing a suite-style restroom that allows for private single use.  All residence halls have central AC.  Some residences require using stairs, while others have an elevator or ground-level entry.  Students in some residence halls have access to a community kitchen but are allowed to have mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and air fryers in their rooms.  Room and board fees include a 14-meal-per-week meal plan.  There are limited single rooms and private bathrooms.

Procedures and Documentation Guidelines

Accessibility & Disability Services reviews housing accommodation requests with supporting medical or psychological documentation and consults with the Housing Accommodation Committee to make the final eligibility determination. Documentation should provide sufficient evidence and rationale to establish that the student has a disability and indicate the impact an impairment could have on a student's participation and access to standard campus housing.  Please note that a diagnosis and a provider's recommendation are considered, but a provider's statement does not automatically bind the college to approve a requested accommodation as necessary or reasonable. Accommodations are intended to remove barriers for a student to have access to college housing, but they do not substitute as an optimized treatment or disability management plan.  The Housing Accommodation Committee evaluates housing accommodations, considering a variety of factors including spaces outside of a student's residence to ensure students have equal access to college housing.

To request a housing accommodation, please follow these steps:

• Review and complete the Guidelines & Request for Accessible Housing Accommodation Request Form.
• Download the Professional Documentation of Disability for Housing Accommodation form to share with your health care/mental health provider to complete. 

To request a disability-related housing accommodation (e.g., ground-level or elevator access, specific restroom needs, single room, etc.) for a non-visible condition, a student must submit verifying professional medical documentation from a licensed provider (or one who has access to past medical history) who is qualified to treat and has been responsible for the ongoing treatment of an impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual.  (A letter on professional stationery supplying the same information as requested on this linked form can also be considered.)

• For disability due to a medical condition, diagnosis by a licensed medical professional with expertise in the area of concern (physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse practitioner) is required.  
• For requests related to a psychological or mental health disorder, diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional (licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner) is required. 

Documentation should include the following:

• Compelling evidence, including treatment history, to indicate the impact of a physical or mental health impairment that potentially could limit the student's participation in a significant life activity on a college campus in standard housing;
• A substantial degree of functional impairment;
• Sufficient rationale to explain key components of the diagnosed condition and the reason(s) for the accommodation requested.

Timeline for Housing Accommodation Applications

Housing and Emotional Support Animal accommodations should be requested and approved at least 60 days before the start of the semester to ensure the Campus Life/Housing Office has sufficient time to arrange the appropriate accommodation. 

Requests should be made before May 15 for Fall Semester and October 1 for Spring Semester.  Late housing and ESA accommodation requests will also be considered at other times; however, approved students may need to wait until appropriate space becomes available.  Be aware that making requests during summer and holiday breaks will create a delay in response.

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

The college has a limited number of single rooms available.  Upperclassmen may request a single room as a preference during the scheduled housing selection process held before the fall and spring semesters. Single-room assignments are made depending on seniority and availability. When not assigned as a disability accommodation, single rooms are charged an additional rate. 

Note: ADHD, Generalized Anxiety, and Depression are diagnoses commonly presented as reasons a student believes they need a single room.  However, these diagnoses rarely constitute true barriers to access the housing program, as students may utilize a wide range of campus spaces and employ other reasonable strategies to manage needs. See Frequently Asked Questions for some of the reasoning for why a single room may not be deemed a necessary and reasonable disability accommodation. 

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

Residence halls and student housing are designed as living areas. Given the number of people living in close proximity, it is not logical to assume that having a private room would consistently provide a quiet, distraction-free space to any appreciable degree beyond what a standard double room offers. The campus residential experience extends beyond the sleeping space, so there are multiple settings on campus (study rooms in residence halls, art and music studios, computer labs, private library study rooms, outdoor hammock spots, 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 can also 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 being 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 along the Brevard Greenway, located near campus, which ends in Pisgah National Forest beside Davidson River.

• Find a private nook in the library or other academic buildings to nestle in and read or think.

• Check out a hammock from Jones Library and relax in one of the hammock stands around campus.

• Sit beside and listen to the peaceful sounds of Kings Creek that runs through campus.

• Discover the many nooks in academic buildings or the Residence Hall study rooms.

• Work with Residence Life staff to set up and host a Roommate Agreement meeting. They are skilled at working neutrally with roommates to help set boundaries and manage expectations, creating a healthy living environment for each roommate.

• Use a white noise machine/phone app or earplugs/earphones to help block out extraneous sounds.

• Work with the Residence Life live-in staff to receive guidance on conversation starters and boundary-setting.

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. Students are assigned their own bed, dresser, closet, and study space in the standard shared residence.  Living with a roommate can help students learn essential skills such as communication, compromise, and respect for others' boundaries when it comes to issues like quiet hours, noise levels, visitors, and cleaning responsibilities. However, these may be new skills for many students who have never had to share a room with another family member.  Community standards for behavior are listed in the current Student Handbook, and housing staff (RAs and Area Coordinators) are available to assist students who need assistance with 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 college alumni can recall a less-than-perfect roommate experience.  However, Campus Life and the Student Handbook provide tools and procedures for addressing roommate concerns. 

• Work with the Counseling Center to discuss your past experiences, address current concerns, determine possible strategies, and receive support.
• Make an appointment with the Residence 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 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.  Often, single rooms become available after the start of the semester.