Housing Accommodations
The University of Mount Union values the importance of living with your peers in a traditional college housing experience as a core component of a residential, liberal arts college education.
Mount Union students with disabilities and unique physical or academic challenges may be eligible for accommodations while living in University housing and may apply for a variety of specific accommodations. Requests for housing accommodations will be determined in consultation between the Directors of Student Accessibility Services and Residence Life, based upon factors including the nature of the request, the specific needs of the student, and the reasonableness of the requested accommodation.
Examples of the most commonly allowed accommodations include:
- Placement in specific rooms (first floor, located near restrooms, etc.)
- Placement in specific housing facilities (environmental needs, located near parking, etc.)
- Specialized considerations for roommates and furniture
- Emotional Support Animals
- Support for Dietary restrictions and food allergies
Students who wish to apply for housing accommodations must complete a request for accommodations and must provide appropriate documentation of their unique needs. Documentation may include medical records, education records, or other appropriate statements from licensed medical or mental health professionals. It is the student’s responsibility to provide SAS with all required documentation.
It is important to note that, generally speaking, documentation must show that the student’s activities of daily living will be significantly impacted due to their unique circumstance in order be granted housing accommodation. This is especially true of first-year students requesting to live in University housing that is traditionally reserved for students at a higher class standing.
DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS
Students with unique dietary needs, restrictions, or allergies can receive a great deal of support from the University of Mount Union. AVI Food Systems Inc., Mount Union’s tailored food service provider, is one of the area’s best as it provides a variety of options to satisfy a wide array of taste palates and nutritional needs. To ensure that student’s dietary needs are understood, accommodated, and cared for, the following provisions are in place when dining on campus.
- Made-to-order food options available (sandwich station, omelet station, etc.)
- Gluten-free options available
- Ingredient information available to help avoid allergens
- Allergy-friendly dining station where top allergens are banned ingredients
- Working one-on-one with students for specific requests
- Procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact of food allergens
- Foods marked with allergen warnings
- Allergen-trained
- Registered Dietician on staff
The University of Mount Union compares favorably to other institutions in Ohio to be listed on the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website, which allows site visitors to search institutions based upon their food allergy and celiac disease accommodations on campus. Read more about Mount Union's accommodations by visiting FARE's website.
The University of Mount Union requires students living in traditional and suite-style halls to participate in a full-service meal plan.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
Mount Union students with disabilities and unique physical or academic challenges may be eligible for accommodations while living in University housing and may apply to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) live in their University Housing. The University of Mount Union has developed a specific ESA policy that interested students should read and understand before applying to house an ESA on campus.
Students who wish to apply for an ESA on campus must have a supporting statement completed by their treating medical professional to be considered for an ESA. Additional documentation must be provided including veterinary records and signed roommate consent. Students are responsible for the care of their ESA and must maintain full compliance with all University policies regarding campus housing, safety, and student conduct. Failure to comply with applicable policies may result in loss of the privilege to house an ESA on campus.
Requests for ESA’s will be determined based upon factors including the nature of the request, the specific needs of the student, and the reasonableness of the requested accommodation. ESA requests are determined in consultation between the Directors of Student Accessibility Services and Residence Life.
Contact Student Accessibility Services at studentaccessibility@mountunion.edu or (330) 823-7372 for request or for more information.