Housing and Meal Plan Considerations
The Intent of Housing Contracts and Meal Plans
Learning—and practicing—to live, work, and spend time with others is an essential component of the Northwestern University learning experience. There is no better place to do this than in our residence halls.
A variety of medical illnesses, disabilities and psychological conditions may necessitate special consideration in the housing assignment process or a release from the housing contract or meal plan. A few examples of disability-related considerations in residence halls or rooms are the following:
- An air-conditioned residence hall
- A residence hall with an elevator and
- A residence hall with an accessible washroom
- A single room
Every effort is made to accommodate students’ special needs within our housing system and food service plan using the alternatives available. Keep in mind that the University meal plan contract does not permit releases based on religious dictates, personal food choice or preferences (e.g., vegetarianism), or other non-medically-based, dietary requirements.
The Room & Board Accommodation Committee
Requests for special consideration in the housing assignment process or requests to be released from the housing contract or meal plan are evaluated carefully by the Room and Board Accommodation Committee. Members of the Committee include the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, the Director of University Health Services, the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), and the Associate Director and Administrative Coordinator of University Housing and Food Service. University Housing and Food Service cannot make an assignment or approve a contract release based on a medical or psychological condition or disability without a recommendation from the Room and Board Accommodation Committee.
Procedures and Deadlines for Requesting Special Consideration
To qualify for special consideration in the housing assignment process or to request release from the housing contract or meal plan, a student must submit documentation to the SSD Office. Please adhere to the guidelines found in this direct link to required documentation for special consideration (Word format).
Deadline for New Students
The 2011-2012 deadline for new students (freshmen and transfer students) to submit their requests to SSD for housing accommodations, including the appropriate documentation, was June 13, 2011.
Deadline for Returning Students
Returning students must submit their requests for housing accommodations by the first day of spring quarter.
Expected Notification Date
(Students were notified via email to their Northwestern email accounts by July 22, 2011 as to whether the Room and Board Accommodation Committee approved their housing-related request.)
Meal Plan Deadline
2011-2012 requests to be released from the residence hall meal plan were due by August 12, 2011.
Where to Send Relevant Documentation & Requests
Do not submit the required documentation to the University Housing Office; requests related to housing and meal plans should be addressed to:
Room and Board Accommodation Committee
c/o Services for Students with Disabilities
Scott Hall, Room 21
601 University Place
Evanston, IL 60208
Telephone: 847/467-5530
Fax: 847/467-5531