Housing Accommodations

The Accessibility Resource Center is responsible for providing reasonable housing accommodations for Residential Education and Housing at The College of New Jersey.

Eligibility

Students, live-in employees, program participants, and those people living with them who have documented long-term or permanent disabilities or serious medical conditions may request housing accommodations. To be eligible for housing accommodations, the person must have a disability, the disability must necessitate adjustments to the living environment, and the request process must be completed before room assignments are made.

Housing will work to fill accommodation requests for students who acquire a disability or medical condition after room assignments are made, however, some accommodations may be limited by housing availability.

Requesting Housing Accommodations

Live-in employees should follow the process outlined on the Faculty and Staff Accommodations page to request housing accommodations.

Students:

All students living on-campus at The College of New Jersey must follow the standard Housing application process provided by ResEd and Housing through the MyHousing portal.

Students must request housing accommodations through the standard Accommodations Process
Housing accommodation requests must be made every year. Returning students with approved housing accommodations will receive an email from Accommodate (“tcnj-accommodate”) in December to remind them to request their housing accommodations for the upcoming academic year.
Student requests are reevaluated each year. Having a housing accommodation in one year does not guarantee that you will have it in a subsequent year.
Students requests that are incomplete or received after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list and will be evaluated as rooms become available after the campus-wide housing selection process.
Student requests that differ from year to year require additional medical documentation to support any changes. Students requesting supplemental accommodations should complete the Supplemental Request form on Accommodate.
Housing accommodations are for the student with the disability only, and cannot be used to pull in a roommate or to place a friend in a neighboring room unless housing regulations allow that for any student in that particular location. A student who does not receive a lottery time slot that gives them on-campus housing cannot be pulled in as a roommate, regardless of the location or type of room. This is a campus-wide policy. There are no exceptions.
Students approved for housing accommodations will receive a housing selection time prior to the general self-selection process. Students with complex accommodation needs will be place directly by Housing into a space that meets their approved accommodations and will not participate in self- selection.
Roommates will not be assigned on the basis of their ability to assist the affiliated student with medical, psychological, or social needs, even if the potential roommate is willing to provide that assistance.
After the start of a semester, requests for a change of room for disability-related reasons will place the student on a waiting list. Filling requests from the waiting list can only occur when a suitable room becomes available and may or may not be possible during a given semester.

Denial of Housing Request

Requests are generally denied for three reasons:

Documentation does not indicate a substantial limitation to a major life activity (i.e., the student does not have a disability).
The disability-related need does not require an alteration to the living environment. For example, students with ADHD, learning disabilities, or psychological disabilities who request a private room in order to have a quiet study area can have that need met through use of the libraries and other spaces around campus that are suitable for quiet study.
A student makes a late request for a room that is no longer available. For example, Housing has wheelchair accessible rooms; however, all rooms are assigned during the room selection process. Once the assignments are made, students are not then reassigned or denied housing to accommodate a late request. To avoid this situation, it is imperative that you contact Housing and the Accessibility Resource Center as soon as you believe you will need a housing accommodation.

Remember, housing assignments will be based on disability-related needs, not requests to live in a specific residence hall. Not all residence halls are able to accommodate students in the same way. If a student’s top choices for residence halls are already filled or are unable to meet the student’s disability-related needs, the student will be assigned to another residence hall. For instance, if a student with a mobility disability is requesting a specific centrally located dorm due to mobility concerns and that dorm is either full or is not equipped with other accessible amenities, the student may be placed in another centrally located dorm that can accommodate their needs.

Assistance Animals

Emotional Support Animals:

Requesting an Emotional Support Animal
1. Students requesting to have an Emotional Support Animal in College housing must be affiliated with the Accessibility Resource Center (“ARC”). Students must follow the standard request process to request this housing accommodation.
2. Emotional Support Animals cannot be brought to campus prior to approval being granted. Students must contact ARC as early as possible to permit time to gather and review all necessary documentation. Immediate Housing accommodations cannot be made.
Criteria for Approval of an Emotional Support Animal
1. ARC shall consult with the Department of Residential Education and Housing (“Res Ed”) in determining on a case‐by‐case basis whether the presence of an Emotional Support Animal is reasonable. Due to the unique community living environments of a College campus, i.e., density of population, food preparation, and multi-use space, some types of animals may not be permitted. The College will consider the following factors, among others, in determining whether or not to approve the request for an Emotional Support Animal:
  1. The student must have had the animal in their care for a sufficient period (a minimum of three months) to demonstrate a stable relationship and the ability to meet the animal’s needs;
  2. The animal must be at least six months old;
  3. The size of the animal must be able to fit in the assigned housing space;
  4. The animal’s presence must not violate individuals’ rights or comforts (i.e. noise or smell);
  5. The animal must be housebroken and able to live with others in a reasonable manner;
  6. The animal’s vaccinations must be up‐to‐date;
  7. The animal must not pose nor has previously posed a direct threat to the individual or others such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others; or
  8. The animal must not cause, nor has caused, or posed an undue risk of causing excessive damage to housing beyond wear and tear.
  9. The expectation is one emotional support animal per student with accommodation. Any exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis (i.e. an animal requiring a pair).
Access to College Facilities
1. An Emotional Support Animal must be contained within the Owner’s privately assigned individual living accommodations (e.g. room, suite, apartment) except to the extent the individual is taking the animal out for the animal’s natural relief. When an Emotional Support Animal is outside the private individual living accommodations, it must be in an animal carrier or controlled by a leash or harness. In addition to the restrictions set forth herein, the Emotional Support Animal must be properly housed and restrained or otherwise under the dominion and control of the Owner at all times. No Owner shall permit the animal to go loose or run at large. If an animal is found running at large, the animal is subject to capture and confinement and immediate removal from College housing.
2. The Owner is responsible for following all rules related to the restrictions of animals from buildings on campus.

Service Animals:

Service animals are permitted in all areas on campus where members of the public are allowed to go, when accompanying a student, guest or member of the public who has a disability, as defined by the ADA. When the need for a service animal is not apparent, TCNJ staff (including Campus Police) may ask the following two questions:
1. Is the service animal required because of your disability?
2. If yes, then what work or task has the animal been trained to perform to assist with your disability?
Students who intend to use a service animal on-campus must register and provide the following documentation to the Accessibility Resource Center:
1. Current vaccination in accordance with local ordinances and regulations.
2. Licensure in accordance with local ordinances and regulations. Dogs must wear license tags at all times.
Registration of the service animal allows ARC to notify faculty that a student will be accompanied by a service animal in class and help prepare faculty for the dog’s arrival. ARC can also be of assistance if use of a service animal requires a room change. Students are also strongly encouraged to have their service animal wear a vest identifying them as service animals.
Residential Students: When applying for housing, the student must disclose to ARC that they will be accompanied by a service animal on campus.
1. Requesting a Service Animal in College Housing
  1. Requesting to have a Service Animal in College housing follows the general procedures set forth in the Housing Accommodations policy.
  2. Students requesting to have a Service Animal in College housing must be affiliated with Accessibility Resource Center (“ARC”).
  3. Students should contact ARC as early as possible to permit time to gather and review all necessary documentation. Immediate Housing accommodations cannot be made.
Access to College Facilities
1. Subject to some limitations, a Service Animal is permitted to accompany its Owner at all times and in all places on campus including classrooms. The Owner is responsible to attend to and be in full control of the Service Animal at all times. It is recommended that a Service Animal wear a leash, harness, or vest that identifies the animal as a Service Animal when on duty anywhere on campus.
2. Exclusion for Areas of Safety:
  1. It may be considered unsafe for service animals to be present in certain areas of TCNJ facilities, or during specific educational or recreational activities on campus. Each place or activity will be considered as to its risk potential by TCNJ staff, including a representative from the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), the residence director and/or professor. When it is determined that an area or activity is unsafe for the service animal, the ARC will arrange reasonable accommodations for the student.

Owner Responsibilities:

Regarding access to College buildings, the Owner is responsible for ensuring the approved animal is not entering restricted areas. Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to: research laboratories, areas where protective clothing is necessary, wood and metal shops, rooms with heavy machinery, public food preparation areas and any other location animals are not allowed in public buildings by state law.
If the College grants an Owner’s request to live with an Approved Animal, the Owner is solely responsible for the custody, control, and care of the Approved Animal. ARC will issue an identification card for the Approved Animal which must be made available at all times if requested by College employee. Owners also must execute an Assistance Animal Agreement. The Agreement will state the following :
1. The Owner is responsible for caring for the Approved Animal. “Care” shall include appropriately feeding, watering and cleaning up after the Approved Animal. TCNJ is not responsible for the (daily or long‐term) care of any Approved Animals. The Owner of an approved animal on campus is to be mindful of good housekeeping and keep their room free of allergens and offensive odors as much as possible. TCNJ is not responsible for cleaning student rooms.
2. The Owner is responsible for the Approved Animal’s proper care and behavior while on campus. Owner is responsible for any actions of the approved animal while others are in the room. Loose animals will be reported to ARC and the room may not be serviced for repairs until the animal is contained. The Owner is responsible for storing approved animal cages away from HVAC units in student rooms in order to prevent health complaints. Tick, flea, or other infestation, excessive barking or other noise making and aggressiveness are examples of improper care and behaviors that will not be tolerated. If an Approved Animal displays such behaviors, disciplinary action may be taken against the Owner, and removal of the Approved Animal from campus may be requested.
3. If the Owner is not in his/her residence, and the Approved Animal is in the residence, the animal must be contained to prevent possible damage or destruction to the residence, in addition to preventing the Approved Animal from escaping the residence should a TCNJ employee need to enter the residence (e.g. repairs, Resident Assistant inspections, fire alarms, etc.). The Owner is responsible for the cost of any Approved Animal related damages to the living space, or other College facilities, property, or other third party property. After the Owner and approved animal have moved out any room damages will be assessed at that time and reported to Res Ed for processing to the Owner.
4. Approved Animals must leave campus with the Owner anytime the Owner leaves overnight and/or during College breaks.
5. The Owner is responsible for complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities. Approved Animals must be up‐to‐date with all vaccinations.
6. In the event of fire or other emergency, the Owner is solely responsible for the removal of the Approved Animal from the residence hall.
7. The Owner is responsible for removing the Approved Animal’s waste. Waste must be disposed of in a sealed bag in the trash area outside the building.
8. The Owner is strongly encouraged to maintain liability insurance coverage for the Approved Animal, in order to protect the Owner from risk of significant legal and financial liability. The Owner will in all cases be held financially responsible for the actions of the Approved Animal, including in any incident where the Approved Animal causes bodily injury to another person, regardless of whether the Owner has obtained insurance coverage.
9. Residential Education and ARC will keep an open line of communication with Owners regarding the Approved Animal and its transition to and ongoing residency on the campus of TCNJ.
10. This agreement will be in place for the duration of the academic year. Students with an Approved Animal will be required to sign a new contract at the start of every Fall semester. Students who do not have a signed contract for the current academic year will not be allowed to have the animal on campus.
11. Students must inform ARC of any changes to the Approved Animal’s residency on-campus.
Animal Health and Well‐being
1. Vaccination
  1. In accordance with local law, the animal must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. Animals should have current vaccinations against rabies and wear a rabies vaccination tag.
2. Health
  1. Approved Animals must be in good health and up‐to‐date on immunizations as appropriate for that type of animal. The Owner should be prepared to provide documentation, such as a vaccination certificate or a licensed veterinarian’s statement regarding the animal’s health. The College reserves the right to direct that the animal receive veterinary attention. The Owner is responsible for any costs associated with seeking veterinary attention for the animal.
3. Licensing
  1. The College reserves the right to request documentation showing that the animal has been licensed in accordance with licensing requirements of New Jersey’s Office of Animal Welfare.
Removal of an Approved Animal
1. The College maintains the right to require the removal of an Approved Animal from College facilities under the following circumstances:
  1. The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others.
  2. The animal is excessively unclean (e.g., repeating soiling of facilities, flea‐infested, foul‐smelling and/or shedding excessively).
  3. The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of a College program.
  4. The Owner does not comply with the Owner’s responsibilities set forth in this policy and on the Assistance Animal Agreement.
  5. The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the College community.
2. If an Approved Animal is found running at large, exhibiting aggressive behavior (including but not limited to biting another individual), or is the subject of a noise complaint that the Owner cannot immediately control, the animal is subject to capture and confinement and immediate removal from College housing.
3. Determinations of removal will be based upon the consideration of the undue nature and behavior of the particular animal at issue. Any decision to remove an Approved Animal will be made by ARC in consultation with Res Ed or any other applicable office on campus. ARC will notify the student of his/her right to appeal the decision and inform the student of the procedures for that appeal process
4. Should an Approved Animal be permanently removed from the campus for any reason, the Owner is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.
Community Considerations and Conflicting Disabilities
1. The use of Service and Assistance Animals may negatively affect others with allergies, respiratory impairments, and other relevant disability conditions. Individuals with conditions that are negatively affected by an approved animal should contact ARC. The individual with the affected condition who is raising the concern about the Approved Animal may be asked to provide medical documentation that identifies the condition(s) as a disability and register with ARC; a determination will be made on whether there is a need for an accommodation. Any accommodations made will consider the needs of both individuals to resolve the conflict as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. Concerns of this nature will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
2. Students with Approved Animals will work in conjunction with Residential Education to obtain permission from potential roommates/suitemates that an Approved Animal will be present in an effort to address concerns, including those related to allergies and objections or fears related to certain types of animals, as early as possible in the housing assignment process. Roommates/suitemates who agree to have an approved animal in their residence will be required to complete the Shared Living Agreement. Issues or concerns that may arise during the academic year should be reported as quickly as possible to Residential Education, who will communicate it to ARC.
Confidentiality and Recordkeeping
1. In processing requests for reasonable accommodations, the College will take all reasonable steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of any information or documentation disclosed in connection with the requests.

Content