Students who would like to receive housing accommodations while enrolled at High Point University must self-identify as a student with a disability by formally registering with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS). Registration, documentation, and participation in an interactive process are required for all requested accommodations.
The interactive process involves the student meeting with an Accessibility Specialist and discussing the student’s disability-related concerns while attending High Point University. The Accessibility Specialist will review the submitted documentation after meeting with the student and take into consideration what was discussed during the meeting. Once the Specialist has reviewed the documentation, the student will receive an eligibility letter with the approved accommodations. Please note: Once all required documentation has been received and the student has met with an Accessibility Specialist, the review process typically takes 3–5 business days. During peak periods, processing times may be longer; however, we strive to make determinations as promptly as possible.
Housing accommodation requests are considered for students with a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which may include but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.
Approval Deadline for Housing Accommodations
- Incoming students (incoming freshmen/transfers): April 15
- Returning students and (New or Returning) Graduates: February 15
NOTE: If your housing accommodation is approved before the deadline, Residence Life will ensure you have equal access, but it does not guarantee a specific residence hall or room within a residence hall. If your housing accommodation is approved after the deadline, Residence Life will work diligently to ensure all of your housing accommodations are met but cannot guarantee accessible housing will be granted based on availability.
For information about Emotional Support Animal accommodation requests, deadlines, and the ESA Policy, please see the Animals on Campus page.
*Financial hardship does not qualify a student for housing accommodations.
While HPU strives to minimize allergens when feasible, the campus is not allergen-free. Accommodations cannot be granted to reduce exposure to environmental allergens such as mold, and the university cannot regulate or restrict the behavior of other individuals in academic or residential settings.
Documentation Guidelines
Documentation for accessible housing must be from a qualified medical professional. For our purpose, a qualified medical professional is defined as a non-family member whose professional training qualifies them to diagnose and treat the impairments associated with the student’s disability. The student must either be a current patient of the professional who completes the documents or have a documented, established history of treatment. Each question on the required forms must be completed by a qualified medical professional. We will not accept notes or letters in lieu of the provided documents.
The diagnosis of a medical condition in and of itself does not automatically qualify one for housing accommodations. In determining the reasonableness of an accommodation, the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) may not grant a specific request by a student if it is determined that there is an equally effective alternative available or if it would impose an undue administrative or financial burden on the University. Accessible housing will ensure equal access to the residence halls and campus. It does not guarantee a specific room or residence hall. Appropriate options may be suggested by the University as alternatives to the requested accommodations.
Students approved for accommodations under the ADA will be given housing assignments by the Office of Student Life (OSL). Students approved for housing accommodations will not incur additional expenses above the “standard” specified room rate unless the student elects to seek a different housing tier than the one assigned by OSL. If the student elects to seek a different housing tier than the one assigned by OSL, the student will be placed in the regular housing lottery process and will be responsible for paying any additional charges associated with that housing tier.
All High Point University housing areas are a part of the University’s overall residential community. University transportation ([email protected]) and security ([email protected]) are equally accessible in all areas of campus.
To Request Housing Accommodations:
- Go to the Accommodate Portal and login in using your HPU username and password.
- Complete the online registration.
- Submit a completed Request for Accessible Housing form signed by a qualified medical professional.** For information about Emotional Support Animal accommodation requests, deadlines, and the ESA Policy, please see the Animals on Campus page.
- Meet with an Accessibility Specialist, in person or via virtual platform, to review your request.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATION DEADLINE (Incoming students): April 15
Each situation is reviewed, case-by-case, based on documentation of a disability and functional limitations provided to OARS. If housing accommodations are granted, accessible housing will ensure the approved accommodation is met, but it does not guarantee a specific residence hall or room within a residence hall. Students should contact the Housing Office in the Office of Student Life to inquire about housing assignments. If the student fails to submit the housing accommodation request with sufficient time for the interactive process to be completed (including student meeting and documentation review), the student’s approved accommodation will be deemed as a priority and will be assigned based on availability.
** A qualified medical professional, for our purposes, is defined as a non-family member whose professional training qualifies them to diagnose and treat the impairments associated with the student’s disability. The student must either be a current patient of the professional or have a documented established history of treatment. Each question on the required forms must be completed by the medical professional.
Dietary Needs – Please contact the Hospitality Team at [email protected]
Students who utilize their ADA housing accommodations will automatically be assigned ADA housing for the next academic year. Students who decline their ADA housing offer and determine it is needed the following academic year must inform OARS of this need prior to February 15th. Students may contact their OARS Accessibility Specialist to request an ADA housing assignment for the next academic year.
If additional housing accommodations are required, the student may make an additional accommodation request via the Accommodate portal:
- Login in to Accommodate using your HPU username and password.
- Select Accommodation on the left-hand side of the page.
- Select Supplemental Accommodation Request and answer the questions accordingly.
- Please attach the completed OARS Accessible Housing Form to your supplemental request (if needed). For information about Emotional Support Animal accommodation requests, deadlines, and the ESA Policy, please see the Animals on Campus page.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATION DEADLINE (Returning students): February 15
Each additional accommodation is reviewed, case-by-case, based on documentation of a disability and functional limitations provided to OARS. If housing accommodations are granted, accessible housing will ensure the approved accommodation is met, but it does not guarantee a specific residence hall or room within a residence hall. Students should contact the Housing Office in the Office of Student Life to inquire about housing assignments. If the student fails to submit the housing accommodation request with sufficient time for the interactive process to be completed (including student meeting and documentation review), the student’s approved accommodation will be deemed as a priority and will be assigned based on availability.
** A qualified medical professional, for our purposes, is defined as a non-family member whose professional training qualifies them to diagnose and treat the impairments associated with the student’s disability. The student must either be a current patient of the professional or have a documented established history of treatment. Each question on the required forms must be completed by the medical professional.
