Policy on Modifications to Housing and Dining

Modified Housing and/or Dining Policy

The University of New Haven strives to provide a variety of housing and dietary arrangements to suit the needs of our students. We recognize that there are circumstances where specific requests and accommodations may need to be considered.

Students requesting consideration for housing modifications, including but not limited to specific types of rooms (e.g. single room, double room), access to specific facilities/equipment within a room (e.g. bathroom or cooking facilities, roll-in or transfer showers), use of alternatives due to a medical condition (e.g. air conditioning) or requests for emotional support animals (ESAs) should complete a Modified Housing/Dining application as outlined in the procedures below. Requests for modifications to housing or dining are carefully evaluated by the 504/ADA/FHA Committee or the Dining Services Committee. Specific residence halls, room types and/or meal plan options are not guaranteed.

Modified Housing/Dining Procedures

  • Students must submit a completed Modified Housing/Dining application including the Modified Housing/Dining Request Form and the appropriate Disability Verification Form (Housing/Dining) or Disability Verification Form (ESAs).

  • Applications can be submitted at any time with the understanding that the 504/ADA/FHA Committee meets once per month (generally the first full week of the month.)

  • New students should submit requests no later than May 1 to ensure accommodations can be met in a timely manner.

  • Returning students and entering spring semester students should submit requests no later than November 1.

Students must submit all required documents for their application to be reviewed by the 504/ADA/FHA Committee. Failure to provide all the documentation will result in a delay of a timely approval.

Notification of approval or denial for all types of requested accommodation will be sent to student’s university email account.

Dining Accommodations

The University of New Haven Dining Services team is committed to providing an exceptional dining experience that supports students' dietary needs, lifestyle choices, cultural backgrounds, and religious affiliations. Menus are designed to accommodate a variety of needs, including food allergies, Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, plant-based preferences, and requests for simple foods.

Students with special dietary needs are encouraged to meet with Campus Dietitian Sam Standish to discuss their dining experience, dietary concerns, and available dining resources. Consultations can be scheduled by scheduling an appointment. Students requesting modified dining options will have the opportunity to review their needs, explore available alternatives, and determine appropriate next steps regarding their request.

Students seeking access to the Simple Zone Pantry, a self-service, locked pantry located within the Marketplace dining hall at Bartels Campus Center, may apply by completing the Simple Zone Access Request Form. Designed to support students with gluten, peanut, and tree nut restrictions, the pantry offers a variety of supplemental foods, including breads, cereals, baked goods, and condiments made without gluten, peanuts, or tree nuts. The space also includes dedicated equipment, such as a microwave, toaster, toaster oven, and hand-washing sink, to help reduce the risk of cross-contact.

Students must be actively enrolled in a meal plan to receive access. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students approved through the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) are required to meet with the Campus Dietitian before access is added to their student ID card and prior to their first use of the space. Access is granted for one academic year and renewed annually through a summer email confirmation process.

Students requesting modified dining options should complete the Modified Housing/Dining application in MyCharger.

Modified Housing/Dining Renewals

Modified Housing and Modified Dining is approved for up to an academic year and will be automatically renewed by the Accessibility Resources Center each year. All approved students will be notified of their renewal by email in early to mid-January. If a student wishes to modify an existing housing accommodation, they must submit a new accommodation application along with updated supporting documentation. The request will then be reviewed by the Modified Housing Committee for consideration by the first week in February.

In addition, students approved for modified housing must be in good financial standing with the Bursar’s Office, submitted their Room Deposit, and completed their Housing Application by the published deadline. Depending on the housing modification approved, a student may have the opportunity to request a roommate(s). Intended roommates must be in good financial standing with the Bursar’s Office, submitted their Room Deposit, and completed their Housing Application by the published deadline. Students who are provided the opportunity to request roommate(s), will work with the Office of Residential Life regarding available housing options and permitted roommate group sizes. Students must have confirmed their intent to live in residential housing in order to re-apply for modify housing for the new academic year.

Accessibility Resources Center Appeals Process

The University of New Haven and the Accessibility Resources Center (ARC) are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Through an interactive and deliberative process, the University reviews student requests for accommodations and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Step 1: Academic Accommodations (ARC Advisor) or Modified Housing Committee Review

Students requesting academic accommodations will meet with an assigned ARC Advisor through a scheduled appointment to identify reasonable accommodations.

OR

The Modified Housing Committee reviews requests for modified housing accommodations to determine reasonable housing related accommodations. If a student disagrees with an accommodation decision, believes an approved accommodation is not being appropriately implemented, or has been denied a requested accommodation, the student may request a review of the decision through the appeal process.

To request a review, the student must respond to the original decision email within ten (10) business days. The request should include:

  • An explanation of why the student believes the decision was incorrect;
  • Any new or updated supporting documentation; and/or
  • Additional self-reported information not previously shared with an ARC Advisor

Following the review process:

The ARC Advisor may issue a final decision regarding approved or denied academic accommodation requests;

OR

The ARC Advisor may determine that the request should be reconsidered by the Modified Housing Committee.

If, after this review, the student continues to disagree with the final accommodation decision made by the ARC Advisor or the Modified Housing Committee, the student may proceed with a formal appeal through the Accessibility Resources Center Appeal Process. The following steps outline that process.

Important: Students who have accepted some of their approved accommodations, but are appealing a specific accommodation decision, may continue to use their approved accommodations while the appeal process is ongoing.

Step 2: Student Submits Appeal to ARC

If the actions in Step 1 have not resolved the issue, students shall complete the ARC Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form within ten (10) business days of the final accommodation decision.

Step 3: Designated ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer

Upon receipt of the appeal form, the ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer will review all submitted information. If necessary, the Compliance Officer may meet with the student to clarify concerns or obtain additional information. The student will be notified of the final decision in writing via university email within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form.

Important: If a student submits new or additional information during an appeal that was not provided during the initial review, the ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer may refer the request back to the ARC Advisor and/or Modified Housing Committee for reassessment.

Grievance Procedure

Any student who feels he/she has been denied access to a requested accommodation has the right to invoke the Grievance Procedure with the Dean of Students Office within five (5) business days of receiving the official decision. All grievances must be submitted in writing and sent to the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@newhaven.edu. You may contact the Accessibility Resources Center to review the process in more detail. The Dean of Students will review the grievance based on the following grounds:

  • To determine whether the 504/ADA/FHA Committee reviewed your case fairly in light of the information presented.

  • To determine whether the outcome was appropriate for the accommodation requested.

  • To consider new information sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original request because such information and/or facts were not known or available at the time of the request.

The Dean of Students or designee will meet with the student to discuss the specifics of the grievance and will make a final determination and/or make appropriate referrals. The student and appropriate departments will be notified of the decision.