Housing Accommodations & Residency Exemptions
Albion College is committed to providing equitable and inclusive housing experiences that support the health, safety, and success of all students. The College recognizes that some students may require housing accommodations due to disability, medical, or psychological needs. This page outlines the housing accommodation process, Emotional Support Animal (ESA) expectations, and the criteria for residency exemptions.
Housing Accommodations
Students with disabilities or health conditions that substantially limit one or more major life activities may request housing accommodations through Accessibility Services in partnership with Community Living. Housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and designed to remove barriers that impact a student’s ability to access and fully participate in community living.
Common housing accommodations may include:
- Private room
- Private bathroom
- Room modifications (e.g., furniture adjustments, accessibility features)
- Location based housing
All accommodation requests must be supported by documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health professional. Housing accommodations are approved for one academic year and are to be updated annually with Accessibility Services.
Definitions
A private room is a housing assignment exclusively to one student. While the student may share a suite or hallway with others, the room itself is not shared with a roommate.
Students approved for a private room may be assigned to a double room used as a single, meaning the space contains two sets of College-provided furniture (two beds, desks, dressers, and chairs). Furniture cannot be removed from the room and must remain in place throughout the academic year.
A private bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower that is not shared with students outside of the assigned room or suite. Depending on building design and availability, private bathrooms may be directly connected to a student’s room or reserved for use by only one student.
Emotional Support Animals
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides emotional support, comfort, or companionship for individuals with psychiatric or emotional disabilities but is not specifically trained to perform work or tasks. ESAs are considered a housing accommodation and students must follow the housing accommodations process prior to moving the animal to campus.
Residency Exemption
Albion College is a residential community, and all students are required to live in College-owned housing unless they meet approved exemption criteria. Living on campus supports academic success, personal growth, and connection to the campus community.
Eligibility for Residency Exemption
Exemptions to the residence policy are granted to students who fall under one or more of the following categories if met by the first day of classes in the fall semester:
- Commuters, defined as students who reside with their parents or legal guardians not more than 25 miles from the Albion College campus. The residence must be with parents or guardians, not other relatives.
- The request must be accompanied by evidence that the address given is the bona fide principal residence of the parents or guardians and has been for at least five years. That should include, at a minimum, a copy of an assessment notice showing that the property is assessed as the principal residence of the owner, and evidence of ownership for the required time. If parents or guardians have changed their principal residence within the five-year period, there must also be evidence of sale of the previous residence. If the parents or guardians rent, and do not own their residence, copies of leases reflecting the necessary continuous period of occupancy must be provided. Further corroborating information may be required at the discretion of the Office of Community Living.
- Married Students
- Students with legal dependents
- Students age 23 or older
- United State military veterans
All students living in non-College housing will be charged the non-college housing fee per semester.
Process for Requesting an Exemption
Students seeking a residency exemption must submit a formal request through the Housing Portal by the established deadline. Supporting documentation may be required to verify eligibility.
Exemptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not guaranteed. Students who do not receive an exemption are expected to comply with the residency requirement.
Additional Information
Residency exemption approvals are valid for one academic year and must be updated annually. For more information or assistance with the exemption process, students should contact the Office of Community Living.