Housing Accommodations

Students who require accommodations due to mobility or other disabilities should contact Disability Services at 413-545-0892 for assistance and additional information, as all such students must first register with Disability Services in order to qualify for services. Disability Services and Residential Life Assignments will work with otherwise qualified students to accommodate their needs. The University has a practice of relocating programs and activities when necessary to make the programs and activities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Some examples of disability accommodations include, but are not limited to: visual alarms for hearing impaired students, automatic door openers, accessible assignments for students in wheelchairs, etc.

Accommodations are granted based on level of necessity and space availability. Not every student who requests an accommodation such as a private room will be granted an accommodation. Some students may find that Residential Life cannot adequately meet their housing needs and may pursue appropriate accommodations through the housing exemption process.
 

Requesting a Disability Accommodation:

1. If you are a student with a disability, contact Disability Services at 413-545-0892 to discuss your accommodation needs.
    
2. If your accommodation is approved, Disability Services will contact Residential Life Assignments on your behalf. It may take up to 15 business days for our office to receive your accommodation. Once the accommodation has been received in our office, it will be in effect for the next assignment process.

Students planning to have a Service Animal, Service Animal in Training, or an Assistance Animal on campus should follow the process below BEFORE bringing the animal into the residence halls.

Service Animals

Service Animals and Service Animals in Training may accompany their owner wherever they go. Students with Service Animals are encouraged to register with Disability Services to ensure they are getting all the proper accommodations on campus. We encourage students to register so community staff and emergency personnel will know there is an animal during emergency situations.

Steps for Service Animals and Service Animals in Training 

1. Complete the Animal in Residence Registration Form.
2. Provide copies of all the required documentation.
3. Send the completed Registration Form and documentation to Residential Life Assignments:

Mail: Residential Life Assignments
235 Whitmore Admin. Bldg
181 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01002 

Scan to email: @email

 

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals are only permitted in a student’s room, suite, or apartment and only in common areas necessary to enter the residence hall. In order to have an assistance animal on campus students must complete the following steps.

Steps for Assistance Animals 

1. Submit a formal request to Disability Services for an accommodation and receive written approval.
2. Complete the Assistance Animal Agreement.
3. Complete the Animal in Residence Registration Form.
4. Provide copies of all the required documentation.
5. Send the completed Registration Form and documentation to Residential Life Assignments:

Mail: Residential Life Assignments
235 Whitmore Admin. Bldg
181 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01002 

Scan to email: @email

 

Important Considerations

Having an animal in a highly populated residential setting can be both rewarding and challenging.

• Ensure your animal will be comfortable in the densely populated, vibrant communities of our residence halls.
• Your animal must abide by quiet and courtesy hours.
• Your animal must be confined to a crate or cage when you are not in the room.
• Your animal cannot be left in the residence hall overnight if you are not there to care for it.
• Your animal cannot be left in the care of another student, including your roommate(s).
• Animal waste must be bagged and disposed of in outdoor trash receptacles.
• Keep common areas clean: You are the primary caretaker for the animal and should take care of all day-to-day needs and cleaning up.
• It is important to have a plan for grooming your animal either outside, at the local groomers, or during your visits home. Animals may not be cleaned or groomed in residence hall bathroom facilities.
• Keep in mind - you will be held responsible for the actions of your animal.

Additional Information & Resources

• UMass Disability Services on Service Animals
• UMass Disability Services on Assistance Animals
• ADA Requirements for Service Animals
• Massachusetts Animal Cruelty Laws
• Town of Amherst Animal Welfare Bylaws (Pg. 24)

Nearest 24 Hour Animal Hospital
Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital
141 Greenfield Rd
South Deerfield, MA 01373
(413) 665-4911

Local Pet Supply/Grooming Services
Smithland Supply
335 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 584-7511

Petsmart
367 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 256-6636

UMass Amherst Residential Life policies and procedures have been universally designed to accommodate most students as well as to allow students the autonomy to make the housing choices which best meet their needs. Some options include alcohol free residence halls, 24-hour quiet floors, break housing, and Residential Academic programs. Floors, suites, and apartments are available in single-gender, mixed gender, and gender inclusive options. Most bathrooms are community bathrooms designated M of F, in accordance with state building code. Students use the bathroom which aligns with their gender identity, in accordance with University Bathroom and Restroom Policies and Practices. Some residence halls have single user, gender inclusive restrooms with showers.

Not all our housing options are available in all combinations. Students are encouraged to contact Residential Life Assignments as early as possible ahead of any housing deadlines or selection processes to discuss specific housing features the student is seeking based on their religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Residential Life will assist a student to determine the housing assignment that most closely meets their religious request.

Shabbat Observance

Common considerations for Shabbat Observance are:

• Shabbat Keys: Residence halls are normally accessed electronically with a student’s UMass ID. A Shabbat key is available upon request. Please request a Shabbat key at least 10 business days prior to move-in; requests take at least three business days to process.

• Motion Sensors: For students who reside in apartments or suites in CHCRC or North, there are various light switches that may be motion controlled. Students may request that these motion detectors to be temporarily disabled. This request should happen when the initial request for the Shabbat key is made. All requests should happen at least ten (10) business days prior to taking residence. 

• Requests: Requests for Shabbat keys or deactivation of motion sensors should be sent to residentialservices@umass.edu. Requests must contain your name, SPIRE ID, residence hall name and room number.

Burning Candles/Materials

Burning of Candles and/or Ceremonial Cultural Materials for religious/traditional/cultural observances. 
Residential Students may request to engage in the ceremonial burning of cultural materials for traditional/cultural observances by submitting a signed copy of the "Residence Hall Request to Burn Candles and/or Ceremonial Cultural Materials" form to the Residence Director, Residence Hall Coordinator or Family Housing Community Coordinator. Written approval from a Residential Life staff member is required prior to engaging in burning candles or cultural materials. Individuals must then follow the requirements to burn ceremonial cultural materials as outlined by University Burning of Ceremonial Material Offerings Procedure.

Request Form for Burning of Candles and/or Ceremonial Cultural Materials (incense, sage, etc.)

Contact

For other types of housing based religious consideration, contact:
Residential Life Assignments 
235 Whitmore Administration Building 
Email: @email
Phone: 413-545-2100
Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.