Housing accommodation?

[u/blueynirvana]

Hi, I’m a transfer student at ISU with an IEP. And I've been having various issues with the housing process. My roommates are good people but my issue comes from the room size, I’ve always had issues with crowded spaces and have used my IEP mostly for separating myself from very busy and crowded environments. I asked the housing main office multiple times if there was anything I could do and was met with constant rudeness and even being hung up on. I personally wouldn’t be going to these lengths if it wasn’t a major issue. I have a 3x2T and have to share the bunk bed and it wouldn’t be this big of an issue if I wasn’t surrounded by strangers in such a small area with no place to go to if I needed quiet, which also isn’t a public space. I’m deafly out of options and am even considering just purchasing an apartment. Is there anything I can do? (And before you guys ask I applied for this school in March, and my application wasn’t processed until June so I had to pick random roommates)

[u/noonehereisontrial]

ISU has pretty small dorm rooms, at this point I doubt there are any singles left to transfer into without kicking someone out (which won't happen)

If it's that big of an issue I'd go with an apartment because I'm not sure what housing could do for you this late in the game.

[u/blueynirvana → u/noonehereisontrial]

Will definitely consider at this point, housing can burn in hell 🙏

[u/lizwill4 → u/blueynirvana]

Why are you saying that? It’s not Housing’s fault you got admitted late and don’t have appropriate accommodations set up

[u/Comrade_Michael]

That's just what dorms are. There's not really a reasonable accommodation that can make a dorm not a dorm. You'll probably have trouble finding other housing at this point as well. But good luck!

[u/HeWasaLonelyGhost]

You have a medical diagnosis that requires you to have a bigger room?

[u/Icy_Program_2198 → u/HeWasaLonelyGhost]

Not OP so I don't know their specific situation, but as someone who is also disabled and used to be a special ed major, there are lots of conditions that can have their effects mitigated by not being in close quarters with someone else. IEPs are generally for conditions like neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e. autism, adhd), learning disabilities, sensory disabilities (being d/Deaf, HoH, low vision/blindness), etc. So in terms of those, OP could require extra space for sensory regulation, more room for difficulty controlling movement (like tics, impaired proprioception (difficulty knowing where body parts are, so can cause clumsiness), needing empty space for navigation if LVB, space for medical equipment, or tons of other things. Respectfully, OP doesn't owe us the specifics of their condition. They included the accommodations they need in the post. I'm not trying to attack you in any way, just some stuff to keep in mind :)

[u/blueynirvana → u/HeWasaLonelyGhost]

I have a lot of sensory issues, my IEP helped me by typically separating me from rooms when I was overwhelmed from elementary all the way to college so it’s something that I’m extremely used to. My issue is that I’m on a bunk with two other students who are all friends and that’s not a problem by itself but I can’t imagine myself functioning properly in such an environment. But to answer your question yes and no? I think it could be applied to housing but on paper my ADA it is not for housing.

[u/HeWasaLonelyGhost → u/blueynirvana]

Ah, gotcha, and sorry to hear that. I asked, because I think that they need something in the way of a medical opinion that makes a diagnosis, and then ties it to the reasonable accommodation being sought. I don't think they can do anything with an IEP, alone. Could be wrong about that, though!

[u/lizwill4]

Since it is currently move in, there’s no way for you to get another room unless someone wants to switch. They will not kick someone out of a room they paid for. Single rooms cost a lot more and go very quickly. Universities don’t have IEPs, that ends when you graduate high school. You need to speak to student accommodations and get the proper documentation in place quickly before the semester starts

[u/Nice-Wolf-5997]

You’re going to be fighting an uphill battle especially with a big busy school like ISU.

[u/Icy_Program_2198]

Have you been in touch with SAAS? If you're required to live on campus, they might be able to get you moved to one of the on-campus apartments like Fell-School or Cardinal Court. They can't always, especially so close to the start of the semester, but sometimes someone cancels their enrollment at the last minute or something.

[u/blueynirvana → u/Icy_Program_2198]

I have very recently, they told me something similar about scare availability but I applied anyways to see if there was a slim chance that something would happen. But I will admit it was my fault for finding out so late I was just hoping that I wasn’t completely out of options.

[u/Icy_Program_2198 → u/blueynirvana]

I did the same thing last year and I'm not saying that it's likely, but something did come through at the last minute for me. I ended up not going with it though, because I got to know my roommates and it was a lot better than I expected (minus one of them but that's not really the point bc that was their personal business). Worst comes to worst, you could hang curtains around your bed and/or desk. Or use one of the study pods for schoolwork. I don't remember where they are but I've heard they're good for focusing. Do you have noise canceling headphones? Probably the best $60 purchase I've made. I'm auDHD and those plus putting up physical barriers so I'm not seeing so much movement help a lot for studying. Then the headphones also make it easier to regulate if people around are being noisy just in day to day life. You probably know all this, I just find it helps to have lists of the things that would help most and then the easiest way to achieve most of the same goal :)

[u/tea_and_honey]

Are you working through the SAAS office to get your accommodations? Housing will only honor them if they come through the official channels.

[u/Cross17761]

I see some ppsts in this forum about subleases available for apartments.

[u/bcs6477]

could you try to get an exemption? there are a lot of people trying to sublease apartments if you check out a facebook roommate group. at least then you’d have your own room and maybe bathroom

[u/bcs6477]

also would like to add that if you haven’t cancelled housing already i believe you’d be charged half of your bill from them. saas may be able to help get that down if it’s for an accommodation

[u/Affectionate-Fee8699]

I’d go with the apartment if you can get one, but idk

[u/krmom02040608]

Colleges do not have to accept or accommodate an IEP. Your high school counselor and speed team should’ve transferred your IEP into a 504 if you still need it to support you during college. An IEP is part of the IDEA which ends at the end of high school. A 504 is part of the ADA which you could use even in the workplace. You need to meet with the ISU SAAS (Student access and accommodation services) office.