Housing and Security Policy for Students with Special Needs

Any student who has a medical condition that necessitates special housing consideration must provide detailed documentation, dated and signed by their physician, delineating reason(s) for the request for special consideration. A medical review committee comprised of health services and the housing committee will make the final determination for approvals.

Centre College is committed to providing students with special needs a safe environment in which to live and study. During safety drills and emergencies, alarms (and in some cases flashing lights) will alert students to potential and/or imminent danger. At the beginning of each term, the Department of Public Safety provides safety instructions in the event of an emergency for students with special needs who reside in special housing such as campus apartments. Although these special housing units are not equipped with building fire alarms, each room is equipped with individual smoke detectors, as is the case in all campus residences.

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Disability Services Office in the Academic Dean’s Office in advance if evacuation assistance will be needed in an emergency situation. The Department of Public Safety, the Residence Life staff, and the Housing Office will assist persons with disabilities who may require assistance evacuating a building during an emergency. These departments will keep a list of the students who may need assistance and their room assignments. This information will be shared with external rescue personnel if needed.

Limited on-campus residence hall accommodations are available for students with special needs. Centre College will give priority for first floor housing to students who notify the College of their special needs. The Housing Office, Student Health Center, and the Disability Services Office will respond to requests for appropriate and reasonable housing accommodations in a timely manner.

Any returning student who has a special need condition that necessitates special housing consideration must provide detailed documentation by filling out the special housing consideration form by March 1st, dated and signed by their health care provider, delineating reason(s) for the request of special consideration. The campus health center will review any special needs single/off-campus requests.

If for any reason, a student or the student’s family or advocate, believe that the College’s policy or student’s housing assignment does not reasonably accommodate the student’s disability or endangers the student’s safety or health, they may request reconsideration. This request must be written and filed with the Housing Office within 15 days after the assignment. If an appeal is necessary, the physician or health care provider can submit additional information to the health center for further review. A student may then appeal this decision within 15 days of notification and a special needs review committee comprised of the health services and the housing committee will make the final determination for approvals. Once the committee has met, they shall notify the student in writing within 10 days of their decision.