Information on Residential Life Accommodations
Fort Hays State University provides reasonable residential life accommodations to students with disabilities who have a verifiable need for the reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation is an exception to the usual rules, policies, practices, or services that a resident with a disability may need to have an equal opportunity to use University housing resources.
How to Request Residential Life Accommodations
If you feel that you would qualify for one of the accommodations listed below, please complete the Residential Life Accommodations Questionnaire. After you submit the online form, Student Accessibility Services will review your request and email you information on specific processes and documentation needed for the FHSU Housing Committee to review the accommodation request.
Residential Life Accommodations and Guidelines
The Fair Housing Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Under this definition, an impairment is a disability if it substantially limits the ability of the person to perform a major life activity as compared to the average person in the general population. The Definition also takes into account any mitigating measures, such as medication or other treatment or therapies, the person is employing that may relieve the substantial limitations caused by the impairment. If the mitigating measure(s) eliminates the substantial limitations caused by the impairment, the person does not have a disability.
Listed below are available residential life accommodations:
- Single room accommodation
- Access to reside on first floor or ground-level floor
- Access to a private or suite style bathroom
- Access to a kitchen
- Emotional Support Animal (ESA): An established therapeutic relationship with the ESA must be identifiable (typically six months or more). This could take a period of time for you to establish your relationship with the ESA to ensure that it is providing emotional support. The animal must be a minimum of six months old and must have appropriate vaccinations (including a rabies vaccination, if applicable). An online ESA certificate may not be sufficient documentation for approval of an ESA, as there are specific FHSU forms that must be completed by the student and a licensed provider.
- Meal plan exemption: Meal plans are required for students living on campus who are within two years of their high school graduation. The campus dining locations provide a variety of dining options that are inclusive to a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences. It is rare that our dining services provider cannot meet the needs of most students. Before pursuing a meal plan accommodation, students must talk with the Union Catering Company staff to discuss availability and options. Please note that dietary preferences rarely rise to the level of a disability.