Campus Housing Accommodations
Pitzer is committed to accessibility and recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations to ensure students have equal access to Pitzer’s residential program.
In compliance with state and federal laws, students with appropriately documented physical, medical, psychological, or sensory disabilities that impact a major life activity may be eligible for housing accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations in campus housing are determined through an individualized assessment based on the student’s functional limitations. Factors considered include:
- The specific functional limitations impacting the student’s access to campus housing
- Whether the requested accommodation will address the student’s functional limitations and enable full participation in campus life
- Whether the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the essential requirements of campus housing
Steps to Request Housing Accommodations
Step 1: Submit a Housing Accommodation Application and Documentation
Note: You must also submit your Residence Life Housing Application to be placed.
Required documentation should include:
- A specific diagnosis
- Description of how the diagnosis was reached (methods, procedures, test results, relevant history)
- Licensure and experience of the healthcare professional providing documentation
- Explanation of how the disability/condition limits major life activities
- Description of how housing or campus life activities are impacted
Note: All submitted documentation is confidential and held by Pitzer Academic Support Services (PASS).
Step 2: Follow Up on Your Application
If you have not received a status update as deadlines approach, please contact PASS at academicsupport@pitzer.edu.
Step 3: Renew Your Housing Accommodations Annually
Students must reapply each academic year with to renew housing accommodations, ideally before the Room Draw process.
Note: Approved accommodation requests for a single room will be charged at double room rate.
Service Animals
Pitzer College permits individually trained dogs that qualify as service animals on campus. A service animal is defined as any dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or task performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
Not considered service animals under the ADA:
- Animals other than dogs (with limited exceptions for miniature horses)
- Animals used solely for crime deterrence
- Emotional support, comfort, or companion animals
Pitzer College is not required to accommodate a service animal if it poses a direct threat to health or safety, cannot be effectively controlled, or is not housebroken.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Under the Fair Housing Act, students with a documented disability may request an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) as a reasonable accommodation in campus housing. Accommodation approval is required before bringing an ESA to campus.
Process for Requesting an ESA:
- Apply for Housing Accommodations
- Provide documentation from a verifiable, licensed professional with whom you have an established therapeutic relationship (minimum 30 days, per California law). The letter must verify the disability, the need for the ESA, and the connection between the ESA and the student’s symptoms.
- Demonstrate an established relationship with the animal and the ability to provide for its care.
Pitzer college reviews ESA requests on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as potential threats, property damage, and the student’s ability to care for the animal.
Important:
- Do not bring an ESA to campus prior to receiving approval.
- ESA requests must be renewed each academic year.
- If an unapproved animal (pet) is found in campus housing, it must be removed immediately and will not be considered for approval.
If approved, students will sign an ESA Agreement outlining guidelines, responsibilities, and potential causes for removal of the ESA.
For more information about available resources and how to access them, please visit the Housing Accommodations website.
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