Housing Accommodation

Northern Kentucky University recognizes students with disabilities may require individualized housing and dining accommodations to fully participate in campus life. The university provides these accommodations in accordance with federal disability laws. In collaboration with University Housing, the Office for Student Accessibility coordinates housing accommodations for eligible students.  Disability housing accommodations are provided at no additional cost.

Review and Approval 

NKU Office for Student Accessibility will accept and consider requests for reasonable accommodation in University housing at any time. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requests are only reviewed once all appropriate documentation has been received.

A diagnosis or medical documentation recommendation on its own does not guarantee approval. Decisions consider the condition's nature, symptoms, and all available accommodations and supports on campus and in the residence halls.  

Important considerations for approving housing accommodations include:

• Is the request an integral part of providing equal access to the student  residential experience?
• Are there other effective means (such as alternative accommodations and/or services) that would mitigate the disability-related barrier and achieve similar benefits as the requested accommodation?
• Is the impact of the condition life-threatening if the request is not met?
• Is space available to meet the student’s need?

Requesting Housing Accommodations

1. Apply for University Housing - Students are advised to participate in the room selection process and attempt to self-select a space that meets their needs and preferences. (See University Housing website for relevant dates and information.)
2. Submit an OSA New Student Application and attach any supporting documentation (or ESA documentation).
3. OSA will review the request and documentation and enter into an interactive process with the student.  OSA staff will send correspondence via the student’s NKU email to request additional information, or to set up an intake meeting with the student to discuss their needs.
4. After the intake meeting, if housing accommodations are approved, the student will be notified, typically within 10 business days, with placement/options in relation to space and availability at the time of the approval.

Prior to requesting housing accommodations important notes to consider include, but are not limited to:

• Requests for single rooms due to the need for a quiet, distraction-reduced study space can often be met using study/wellness spaces available on campus.
  • Generally, a diagnosis of ADHD or other learning disability will not, by themselves, adequately support requests for disability-related housing accommodations.
• Requests that reflect personal preferences for specific room or roommate assignment requests is not generally recommended as an accommodation.

Students with disabilities who may need assistance with exiting University Housing in the event of an emergency can find information relevant to specific areas on campus on the Safety and Emergency Management website.

Dining Accommodations

In addition to comprehensive dining services, the university supports students with dietary restrictions and food allergies. Dining Services works diligently to help these students develop plans to obtain proper nutrition in a manner that fits their life. Students with individualized nutrition needs are encouraged to contact Dining Services to schedule a personal consult with a manager prior to move-in.   

In some instances, additional arrangements may need to be coordinated. If after meeting with a Dining Service’s Manager additional disability accommodations are necessary, students should register with OSA for services and work with their assigned staff member to develop accommodation plans.

Students approved for housing accommodations other than an ESA will remain on file for the student’s time in University Housing. Students do not need to request Housing Accommodations each year unless there is a new disability-related barrier and related request. Students should continue to follow the relevant dates/information provided by University Housing for returning students and reach out to University Housing if they are unable to self-select a space that meets their approved accommodations.