MSU offers a variety of on-campus living facilities. Each living environment features unique design and atmosphere. Most housing options on campus offer units that meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Start the process ASAP, but housing accommodations may need to be approved 45-days prior to move-in to be in place before you arrive on campus, or when the accommodation is needed. It is important to know that the number of accessible housing spaces are limited so starting this process early will aid in the implementation process.
No: Register here!
Yes: Contact your Access Specialist to facilitate housing accommodations and/or assist with dietary concerns. Depending on your needs, additional documentation and information may be required.
MSU offers a variety of housing options with accessible units and apartments throughout campus. Specific questions about accessible housing options should be discussed with an RCPD Specialist to determine which housing option will meet your needs.
More information about campus accessibility is found on our Accessibility at MSU page.
If you require air conditioning in your campus residence, there are two different processes. Students who only require air conditioning to manage their medical condition should follow the MSU Live On procedures. Students with a disability that require air conditioning and additional services to manage their disability should work with the RCPD.
Residents with a confirmed medical condition who require air conditioning, and who will not require other accommodations and/or do not wish to register as a student with a disability, can request an air conditioning unit for their campus residence through MSU LiveOn. There is a specific form for LiveOn's process - you will get access to the form after completing the initial request in My Housing.
Residents with a disability that require air conditioning in order to manage any adverse impacts that would be experienced without air conditioning (such as impacts to breathing or inability to regulate body temperature) must identify and register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) in advance, at least 45 days before the air conditioning is needed plus provide the following documentation. Unless there is disability-related need, the A/C unit will remain installed throughout the academic year. Students who wish to request MSU to remove/re-install the unit will be charged according to MSU policy.
Submit the Supplemental Form: Campus Life and Housing completed by your treating/diagnosing medical professional, specifically discussing the A/C request.
Students with dietary concerns will find a range of opportunities in the MSU culinary system via MSU Eat at State. Culinary Services identifies the Major 9 allergens on campus menu signage: egg, fish, milk, peanut, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nut, wheat/gluten - in addition to alcohol, beef, coconut and pork. Vegan and Vegetarian items are highlighted with a designated logo. The MSU Eat at State team makes every effort to thoroughly train staff and label food allergens in each dining hall and retail food venue.
If you have dietary concerns, you should begin by consulting with the Culinary Services Registered Dietitians.
Students with dietary concerns are encouraged to contact the Culinary Services Registered Dietitian and Culinary Services team as early as possible. A referral from RCPD is not required to access these resources. Students may work with Culinary Services and RCPD simultaneously to explore available supports, dining options, housing preferences, and disability-related accommodations.
Students are encouraged to:
While RCPD works to ensure equal access to campus housing, approval of a housing accommodation does not necessarily mean a student will receive the exact accommodation requested. Accommodations are determined through an individualized review process and are based on disability-related barriers and access needs.
For many allergy-related concerns, access can often be achieved through placement with a roommate who has similar allergen needs or who agrees to avoid bringing identified allergens into the living space. Requests for a single room are evaluated based on disability-related need and are not granted solely based on preference, convenience, roommate compatibility concerns, anticipated interpersonal conflicts, or the comfort of an emotional support animal.
Housing accommodation requests are evaluated based on the needs of the student requesting the accommodation. Decisions are not based on the needs, preferences, or potential behaviors of a hypothetical roommate.
When requesting housing accommodations, it is important to follow and complete the MSU Live On sign-up and selection process. Students should participate fully in the housing selection process, complete housing preference forms, and explore available roommate matching opportunities before accommodation determinations are made.
Important: Housing preferences and roommate requests should be completed through the standard Live On process. If a disability-related accommodation is approved, the approved accommodation may supersede housing preferences when necessary to provide equal access.
As housing accommodations are approved (before or after your room assignment occurs), RCPD will work with students and MSU Live On to make the necessary housing adjustments.
Visit the MSU Housing Live On website for more information on campus housing.
Individuals interested in accessible housing options off-campus may contact the Disability Network Capital Area to inquire about housing resources in the community. Students may also explore the university's off-campus housing website, offcampushousing.msu.edu, which includes a filter to search for housing with accessible features. This resource is provided through a partnership between Michigan State University and Apartments.com and may be helpful when exploring off-campus housing options.
If you require specific housing modifications (single room, specific location, bathroom needs, etc.) due to your disability, please complete the following:
Step 1: Register with RCPD and provide the appropriate disability documentation.
Step 2: Submit the Supplemental Form: Campus Life and Housing completed by your treating/diagnosing medical professional, specifically discussing the room accommodation request and explaining in detail why the accommodation is necessary due to your disability. If requesting a housing accommodation due to your psychiatric disability, the form must come from a provider who is licensed to treat mental health conditions.
Step 3: The student resident submits a disability impact statement. Your Access Specialist will provide guidelines. These responses should be detailed and provide enough information to help a committee at RCPD understand exactly what is needed and why it is needed due to your disability. Your response should be sent to your specialist via your MSU email account.
Step 4: Once your RCPD specialist has all the necessary information, the RCPD housing committee will review the request and make a determination. Your RCPD specialist will relay the committee's decision back to you, and if approved, provide information to the housing office regarding the approved housing accommodations.
RCPD evaluates housing requests based on documented disability-related barriers and the student's individual access needs. The goal of the accommodation process is to provide equal access to university housing, which may differ from the specific accommodation requested by the student. Housing accommodations are determined through an individualized review process and are based on disability-related necessity rather than personal preference or convenience.
Michigan State University provides reasonable accommodations to housing residents with a documented disability, which could include the use of a Service Animal and/or Assistance Animal (emotional support animal) in University housing.
The University provides reasonable accommodations to housing residents with a documented disability. The Assistance Animal Policy in University Housing governs the use of Assistance Animals in University Housing. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) identifies two types of assistance animals: (1) service animals, and (2) other trained or untrained animals that do work, perform tasks, provide assistance, and/or provide therapeutic emotional support for individuals with disabilities.
Review the Assistance Animal Policy in University Housing for the complete details and more information.
A person may reside with a Service Animal in housing if the person has a disability and the animal meets the definition of a "Service Animal", found in the Assistance Animal Policy in University Housing and Service Animal Policy. The service animal is permitted to accompany the resident to all areas of housing where residents are normally permitted to go. A resident who will utilize a service animal in housing is strongly encouraged but not required to identify and register with the RCPD.
Review the Service Animal Policy for the complete details and more information.
RCPD does not make housing accommodations for student residents who are experiencing roommate and/or interpersonal related conflicts within their residence hall.
If you experience roommate or friendship concerns, you are strongly encouraged to contact your Resident Assistant (RA) or Community Director for assistance. To find contact information for the Community Director, select the campus neighborhood and choose the residence hall name.
It is important to follow all steps within the MSU Live On housing assignment process. If you are approved for a housing accommodation we will then be able to make necessary adjustments after your needs assessment and/or your housing accommodation is approved.
It depends on many factors including the requested housing accommodations and the time it takes you to submit required/additional documentation. Housing accommodations may need to be approved 45-days prior to move-in to be in place before you arrive on campus, or when the accommodation is needed.
Yes. You are able to request housing accommodations within your living learning community (LLC). You would follow the same process outlined above to request housing accommodations. Typically, RCPD tries to be respectful of the rules of the LLCs. Each LLC has different rules in place regarding housing selection, roommate options, and curriculum. Students within the LLCs are expected to follow the rules set forth by their community. Please reach out to your LLC for specific guidance on rules and requirements.
Yes. You can submit a housing accommodation request after the start of a semester. Students can submit a housing accommodation request at any time, though they are strongly encouraged to submit the request at least 45 days prior to the start of the semester. MSU Live On assists RCPD and the student with implementing accommodations as they are approved.
Students with allergies, celiac disease, chemical sensitivities, or other related conditions may be eligible for housing accommodations when disability-related barriers exist. An RCPD Access Specialist can work with you to determine whether accommodations are appropriate and discuss reasonable options for access to university housing.
Students are encouraged to first explore available housing preferences, roommate matching opportunities, and dining resources through MSU Live On and Eat at State. Accommodation decisions are based on disability-related need and are intended to provide equal access, which may differ from the specific accommodation requested. Single room accommodations are considered based on documented disability-related necessity and are not approved solely due to preference, anticipated roommate conflict, or concerns about a roommate's behavior.