Housing Accommodations
WSU provides equal and accessible housing opportunities for all students. If you have a disability or medical need, we have resources to ensure you the same housing experience as other students.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with documented disabilities may request housing accommodations.
How to Apply for Housing Accommodations
You can apply for on-campus housing accommodations based on medical need.
Please submit a written description of your needs to the Housing & Residence Life Office. These requests will be evaluated within the context of current housing policies, student’s needs, and available facilities.
Access Services is another great resource for students who may need additional support.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are any dog (or other animal as defined under the ADA) that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These animals are permitted in the residence halls. However, all housing documentation must be submitted per the approval process.
Emotional support animals (ESA) are companion animals that provide therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of a disability, to a person with a mental or psychiatric disability. These animals are only permitted in residence halls if approved by Access Services and all housing documentation is completed per the approval process.
If a visitor has an ESA, they are not permitted to bring their ESA into the residence halls.
No other animals are permitted in on-campus housing. The only exception to this rule is fish kept in an aquarium (max 10 gallon tank).
Animal Approval Process
Whether service animals or ESAs, all animals that live in University-owned or leased property are required to be approved.
The approval process to bring a service animal or an ESA into the residence halls can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. You may not bring your animal to campus unless the approval process is complete.
Step 1. Inform WSU of your needs
You are encouraged to register with Access Services, as you can receive other types of support for a disability through these services.
If you do not register with Access Services, then you should reach out to Housing and Residence Life to get the process started.
Step 2: Complete Documents & Meet with Hall Director
The following information and required documents will be sent in email:
- Service Animal and ESA Procedures and Agreement
- Release of Liability
- Animal Registration and Veterinary Documents
- City of Winona Pet License (for cats and dogs)
- Roommate Agreement
- Photo of your ESA
You must meet with the Hall Director and complete all documents before the animal comes to campus. There will also be a room or apartment check.
Step 1: You must register with Access Services
Step 2: If you are approved to have an ESA, Access Services will notify the Housing & Residence Life Office.
The following information and required documents will be sent in email:
- Service Animal and ESA Procedures and Agreement
- Release of Liability
- Animal Registration and Veterinary Documents
- City of Winona Pet License (for cats and dogs)
- Roommate Agreement
- Photo of your ESA
You must meet with the Hall Director and complete all documents before the animal comes to campus. There will also be a room or apartment check.