Disability Housing Accommodations

Accommodations are provided for students whose disabilities may impact their ability to live in Columbia’s traditional housing arrangements.

Housing accommodations are based on disability-related needs and are determined on a case-by-case basis. The University has established procedures to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to Columbia’s housing resources.

Barnard students with disability accommodations who wish to participate in Columbia Room Selection should follow the procedures outlined by Barnard Housing.

Students must follow the University’s Disability Housing Accommodations Procedures & Guidelines, as outlined on the Disability Housing Accommodations Registration Form. The form must be submitted by the appropriate deadline as stated in the guidelines to be considered. 

While registration forms submitted are accepted after the deadline, approved accommodations are subject to the availability of housing assignments. Please refer to the Disability Services website for deadlines.

Assignment Procedures for New Approvals

When a student is approved for disability accommodations, Columbia Housing is notified and a student is assigned based on the approved accommodations and available housing inventory. 

Room Selection Procedures

Students with current approved disability accommodations may receive an automatic renewal email from Housing at the beginning of February with one or two housing placement options for the next academic year. Students can accept the assignment offer or request to participate in Room Selection. If you choose to participate in Room Selection rather than accept your offer, you may not be able to select a room that meets your disability accommodations. In that event, Housing will reassign you after Room Selection ends.

If you receive a disability accommodation approval during the Room Selection process, Housing will assign you to a room after Room Selection ends.

Students who require additional accommodations not listed in their renewal of approved accommodations must submit an updated request through the Disability Services. Please visit their website for more information about how to apply. Students must respond or request additional accommodations by the stated deadline.

Students who wish to live in special housing (fraternities and sororities or Special Interest Communities) must follow the appropriate program application process through Residential Life and register for Room Selection through Columbia Housing. Please be aware that due to infrastructure limitations, not all accommodations can be met in these buildings. Approved housing accommodations that can be met will be arranged once students are approved for their community.

Rising sophomores who are approved for a single room may select two friends to be assigned to a nearby double in corridor-style buildings. Students who wish to pursue this option must notify Columbia Housing by the stated deadline in their disability housing assignment notification.

Please note, Barnard students are not eligible to be Disability Riders.

Students approved for an assistance animal must participate in Room Selection. Housing does not offer special accommodations for approved assistance animals, independent of those approved for the student owner. Students must alert future roommates to avoid potential conflicts. 

Students approved for air conditioners must participate in Room Selection. Housing does not offer special accommodations. Air conditioners will be placed in students’ rooms prior to Check-In or within 5-7 business days of the approval and may be in place for the duration of your housing assignment.