ABOUT OUR SERVICES: Residential Life

- Freshmen
- Rising Sophomores
- Rising Juniors and Seniors
- Intercollegiate Transfer Students
- Interhouse Transfers
- Students in GSAS and SEAS

Depending on the year and program for which the student expects to request housing, different protocols and lottery procedures apply. When disability factors are known in advance of arriving on the campus, AEO reviews the current clinical documentation and makes recommendations as to whether the location and specific space are appropriate and available. Because of frequent housing shortages, many requests to move students who become ill or injured after being housed may not be able to be met.

AEO works closely with the Freshman Dean's Office, Office of Residential Life, and GSAS Housing Services to identify suitable and available alternative housing solutions whenever possible. However, there may be circumstances wherein students may need to seek off-campus housing not controlled by the University when health, safety and other requirements cannot be met in available University facilities.

Students with physical or mental health/disability-related issues pertaining to rooming assignments are encouraged to contact Accessible Education Office (AEO) in advance of the rooming lottery in their Houses. The AEO Director will review the necessary required current clinical documentation, meet with the student, and make a determination as to whether a student should be exempted from the lottery. Approved exemptions are made to the student making the request, not entire groups.

Each House has developed a housing assignment process. If students who have been denied medical exemption by AEO actually receive rooming assignments that coincidentally meets their clinical needs, they are not automatically eligible to receive such consideration the following year, but they are welcome to reapply.

Freshmen:
First year students with disabilities or ongoing serious medical conditions are urged to Register with AEO. Current clinical documentation is required and should conform to documentation guidelines provided by AEO. Such documentation should be sent directly to AEO. Housing assignments based on health conditions must be documented with AEO by May 1, 2009. During the room assignment process, questions about clinical documentation and other aspects of a safe and healthy living environment may be addressed with the incoming student, clinician, FDO and AEO staff. Health-related housing for freshmen does not necessarily guarantee ongoing housing assignments in subsequent years (see Rising Sophomores). Temporary housing while recovering from an illness or injury may be considered. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide suitable housing to those who qualify as appropriate space permits.

Rising Sophomores: Exemptions from the Housing Lottery
Students with medical and psychiatric disabilities or ongoing serious medical conditions may be eligible for exemption from the Housing Lottery in conjunction with an application process administered through Accessible Education Office (AEO) during January and February. Specific application information is published in the Yard Bulletin starting in December. Even if students have received previous housing consideration due to health-related conditions, they need to reapply for this process. Current clinical documentation is required and should conform to documentation guidelines provided by AEO. A Housing Application may be printed out and mailed or faxed. Documentation should be sent directly to AEO before the application deadline. An interview with AEO is required. Please call (617) 496-8707 for an appointment. Students with disabilities are still eligible to block with up to 7 other students. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide suitable housing to those who qualify as appropriate space permits. 2009 DEADLINES FOR RISING SOPHOMORES Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Applications and documentation due to the AEO. Wednesday, February 18, 2009- Friday, February 20, 2009 - Mandatory AEO interviews.

Rising Juniors and Seniors: Exemptions from Internal Housing Lottery
Rising juniors or seniors who need housing accommodations must be registered with and provide clinical documentation to AEO in plenty of time to have the documentation reviewed before the internal House lotteries. Current clinical documentation is required and should conform to documentation guidelines provided by AEO. A Housing Application may be printed out and mailed or faxed.

Intercollegiate Transfer Students
Incoming transfer students with medical and psychiatric disabilities or serious ongoing health conditions are encouraged to return their housing form to the Office of Residential Life; and separately return the registration form provided by Accessible Education Office (AEO) to the address on the form if housing arrangements need to be considered. Current clinical documentation is required along with the AEO Transfer Housing Registration Form which accompanies admission information. Documentation should be sent directly to AEO prior to the housing deadline. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide suitable housing to those who qualify as appropriate space permits.

Interhouse Transfers
Students who think that a health condition is incompatible with their current housing assignment are encouraged to speak with the House Administrator in the House to determine if a change within the House can offset such difficulties. Temporary housing arrangements while recovering from an illness or injury will be considered. If this is not possible, students may contact Accessible Education Office (AEO) to explore alternative solutions. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide suitable housing to those who qualify as appropriate space permits. If a student's health-related needs cannot be met within the House, the student is encouraged to contact the Assistant Dean of Residential Life or his designee who will collaboratively work with AEO on health-related housing difficulties. For information about AEO clinical guidelines for housing consideration, please refer to clinical guidelines which apply to the appropriate circumstances.

Graduate Students in GSAS and SEAS
Preference for a room within graduate residence halls may be given because of a disability or serious ongoing medical condition. A Housing Application for disability-related housing is available online and should be submitted as soon as you know that you will be seeking Harvard housing. Clinical documentation of these issues should be sent separately to Accessible Education Office (AEO) along with the AEO Registration form which accompanies admission information. Additional graduate housing information is available at http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/current_students/housing.php or at 617-495-5060.