Accessibility Services reviews requests to determine reasonable housing accommodations and evaluates the need for the accommodation as it relates to access. All housing accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis according to documented need and prevailing standards for reasonable accommodations. There is a separate and comprehensive interactive process in place for all housing-related requests.
Housing accommodation requests will be reviewed through the Accessibility Services office by the Housing Accommodation Committee after ALL requirements are completed as outlined on the main page. The submitted documentation and the student’s self-reported information are used to evaluate the request. The Committee completes a holistic review of the provider’s recommendations, current nature of the student’s symptoms, student’s self-report, the appropriateness and essential nature of the requested accommodations, and all available accommodations and college support resources when making final decisions and recommendations.
Please be aware that a diagnosis of a medical condition in and of itself and/or a provider recommendation alone does not automatically qualify a student for disability accommodations.
Students need to renew housing accommodations with the Accessibility Services Office yearly.
Housing Accommodation Deadline:
March 1st for current students
July 1st for incoming students
After the deadlines, we cannot guarantee availability of certain accommodations.
Service Animals
Students with service animals are welcome in living and learning environments at Wheaton
College. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a
person with a disability. Students with service animals should register with Accessibility
Services. Some environments such as laboratories, athletic facilities, and clinical settings may
pose safety risks to service animals. Please consult with Accessibility Services regarding
concerns.
REMOVAL OF A SERVICE ANIMAL
Wheaton College may pursue the process for determining if a service animal should be removed
from campus housing for the following reasons:
- The animal is not under the direct physical control of the owner
- The animal’s behavior is disruptive to its surroundings or other members of the University
community - The animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others
- The animal's presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity
- The owner fails to comply with any of their responsibilities under this policy
Process for removal of a service animal:
Any member of the Wheaton community may submit a complaint about a service animal,
identifying one or more concerns in the areas listed above.
The college will investigate the situation. If the college determines that a violation of this policy
occurred, the owner of the animal will be informed, and the college will take appropriate
responsive measures. The college’s responsive measures will depend on the circumstances of the
situation. Where reasonable, the college will work with the owner to resolve the situation in a
way that allows the owner to continue to have the service animal. The college reserves the right
to require an owner to remove the animal from college property.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals – that have been approved by Accessibility Services as an accommodation to the no pets policy. We acknowledge that pets of all sorts provide a beneficial source of companionship for their owners.
Accessibility Services will consider a request by an individual with disabilities to determine if one (1) ESA is reasonable and necessary.
However, Emotional Support Animals are not pets. They are a prescribed, necessary part of the mental health provider’s therapeutic plan for the student to address very specific needs. Animals in the process of being adopted/acquired typically will not be considered for an emotional support
animal.
If Accessibility Services determines the accommodation of an Emotional Support Animal is supported and reasonable, Residence Life may consider the following factors, among others, as evidence in determining whether or not the presence of the animal is reasonable and making or altering, if necessary, the housing assignments for individuals with an ESA:
- The space needed for the cage/crate in which the animal will be housed when the student is away from the room is too large for available assigned housing space;
- The animal’s presence would force another individual from individual housing (e.g. serious allergies);
- The animal’s presence otherwise violates individuals’ right to peace and quiet enjoyment;
- The animal is not housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner;
- The animal’s vaccinations are not up-to-date, or vaccination records are not provided;
- The animal poses health risks from zoonotic diseases or safety concerns regarding containment that cannot be sufficiently mitigated for inclusion in the communal living setting;
- The animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others;
- The animal causes or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear.
An approved ESA is not permitted in other areas of Wheaton College (e.g. dining facilities, libraries, academic buildings, athletic buildings and facilities, classrooms, labs, individual centers, etc.)
Personal Care Attendant Policies
Meal Plan Policy
Dining Services is committed to providing a well-balanced meal plan offering a variety of food options to students at each meal. In addition, we are committed to work with students who have specific dietary needs and preferences.
Students are encouraged to call Dining Services at 508-286-8209 for more information on available options. A student may also request to meet with the Director of Dining Services or dining’s dietitian who will work with them to meet their nutritional needs on the meal plan. To request a meeting please email: [email protected].