Reasonable Accommodations
- Disability accommodations are deemed “Reasonable”, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, if they are necessary to ensure equal access to the same opportunities as provided to all St. Olaf students.
- Accommodations are not considered Reasonable if they are merely to improve chances of success. The College certainly wants all of its students to succeed, however now that the student is an adult, success is the responsibility of the student, not the institution.
- Disability accommodations are only appropriate when there is a barrier to equal access.
- Accommodations are reasonable when they include the student in the same opportunities everyone else has. Accommodations are not reasonable if they let students with disabilities out of the responsibilities or expectations the College holds for everyone else.
What does Access vs. Success mean when it comes to campus housing?
Here are some examples of requests where an accommodation would not be approved. In the following scenarios the requested accommodation would be helpful or desirable, and could improve chances of success — especially when the student’s disability makes these situations more difficult. But when, generally speaking, no student has access to the opportunity requested, the request is generally regarded as a fundamental alteration to the college housing program, and legally not considered “Reasonable”.
I have anxiety or depression and I need a single dorm room as a space to be alone or to retreat to and decompress.
In general, St. Olaf College residence hall rooms are double rooms, with the exception of the Townhomes, and some pod/suited living arrangement in two of the upperclass residence halls. All Oles are expected to seek out and discover places in their campus community to decompress, unwind, or process their emotions in places other than the room where they sleep. Here are several ideas:
- Enjoy solitary walks in Norway Valley or the Natural Lands
- Find a private nook in the library or other academic buildings to nestle in and read or think
- Make use of the Meditation Room, the Chapel, or Residence Hall chapels (Mellby & Hill/Kitt) for prayer, meditation, and contemplation
- Discover the many nooks in academic buildings (Holland Hall, Steensland Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music, and Regents are some favorites), or the Residence Hall study rooms
- The Academic Success Center (Tomson 153) has “Sound Shell Chair” which is great for curling up in, and escaping the sights and sounds of the surroundings. The chair can swivels to face the corner so you can “disappear” for a while
- Work with Residence Life staff to set up and host a Roommate Agreement meeting. They are skilled at working with roommates in a neutral fashion to help with boundary setting and expectation management to create a healthy living environment for each roommate.
I need a single dorm room because I get too distracted when trying to study or do homework.
The College provides many, many places on campus where you can study alone in peace and quiet: As stated above
- Discover the many nooks in academic buildings (Holland, Steensland, Hall of Music, and Regents are some favorites), or the Residence Hall study rooms
- Empty classrooms and seminar rooms! Any student can “claim” an empty classroom for their study session. Make a sign for the door, or use a whiteboard marker on the glass of the door to say “In use”
- The Academic Success Center’s study lounge is a quiet and peaceful place to study with natural light and a variety of chairss
I need a single dorm room because I need to have control over my space.
In typical housing, each student needs to recognize what is in their locus of control in a shared living experience. It is unreasonable to expect to be able to control the entire room. However, it is reasonable to expect to be able to control your own belongings and set boundaries with your roommate accordingly. All Oles need to learn how to share a space and set boundaries and express them with their roommates. This is an extremely valuable skill living in an intensive residential community, such as St. Olaf College. However, it is a new skill for many students who either have been only children, or have never had to share a room with a sibling. It gets easier with practice!
- Work with Residence Life live-in staff for guidance on conversation starters and boundary communicating
- Discover the Wellness Center for tips
I need a single dorm room because I had a really bad roommate before and I’m scared that that will happen again.
Just about any college alum can recall a less-than-perfect roommate situation. It can happen, and it doesn’t make that past bad experience go away. However, it is possible to move on in a positive way. Taking what you can learn from a bad roommate situation and applying those lessons to a new situation is how to utilize a growth mentality to come through adversity.
- Work with the St. Olaf Counseling Center to talk through your past experiences and determine strategies and receive support for moving into a new roommate relationship
- Make an appointment with Residence Life staff to discuss your fears or concerns; attend one of the Roommate Socials held for returning students for the purpose of meeting new roommate possibilities; partake in the Roommate Linking form to read profiles of other students seeking a new roommate to find a good match
I need a single dorm room because I have medications I fear might be stolen.
All students should consider locking valuables, including medications.
- We recommend buying a lockbox or small safe to keep tucked away and out of sight.
- Lock your dorm room door when you leave.
I need an accommodation in order to receive equal access in Housing, Parking or Dining.
Please proceed to the Campus Life Accommodation Request form for Housing, Parking, Dining
For more information on Disability and Access services, please visit our main page.
St. Olaf College reserves the right to amend the Procedure for Requesting Reasonable Accommodations for Housing to ensure it best reflects ADA and relevant laws’ guidance.