Denied Single College room? Can they do that?

Question

Well, I tried for a single room at my catholic college because i am a diabetic and i had problems at my high school with the fridge becoming unplugged and such and i cant have that happening at college. So I got all my doctors to fill out paper work and had the school review my case. There opinion and verdict was that other diabetic students dealt with the same living situations as any other student and did not need a single room. Are they allow to deny me a single room, even though i had paper work and reliable reasons for my own health?

Answer 1

The college can deny you a single room if one isn't available, but double check with a lawyer to see if it violates ADA (American with Disabilities Act).

Answer 2

i requested a single room for medical reasons at m college, cornell, and was granted that after i sent a doctors note.  technically they gave me a 2-person suite, but int he end, i have my own room...i cant imagine how a school could deny it if a doctors note was given...u could always say ur not every other diabetic that dealt with it...and if ur rly bent on a single, go back tot he doctor and have them talk tot he college directly

Answer 3

I hate to say it, but since the college is in charge of housing, they can pretty much do what they want. So yes, they CAN do that, but I agree with you that they shouldn't. It seems like medical reasons should be good enough. I think that's pretty lousy of them.

Are you a freshman? Some colleges won't allow you to have a single room until you're a junior. If that's their rule, it might be hard for you to bypass it. Also, if there simply isn't availability for a single, that might be a reason it was denied as well. If they already filled all their rooms and formed housing contracts with the residents, they can't just kick someone else out of their room to put you in. Did they tell you why they denied it?

I'm sure you can still fight it as long as there are still rooms open. Maybe you could go to the housing office and talk to someone in person. If the rooms are all full, perhaps they would be willing to contact some of the students in the singles and ask if they would be willing to give their room up. I can't really suggest anything other than that.

If you do get stuck in a multiple room, maybe you can get a little mini fridge for you so you don't have to worry about others tampering with it. I wish I could help you out more. Sorry.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think your SOL here.  The ADA says they must provide you with adequate and reasonable accomidations.  That doesnt really cover what if situations and thats what your is.  They probably already covered your needs of having a fridge to keep your insulin cold, but your asking for something else entirely.  Your asking for insurance against the fridge coming unplugged and thats like asking for a wheel chair ramp to have a roof in case it rains and the ramp gets slick or wet.  What if isnt covered in the ADA rules.  

To ensure that your fridge is stays on, you might plug in a battery back up unit that is commonly used for a computer.  You will want to buy one with the highest VA rating that you can afford.  The higher the VA number the longer it will last if the power goes out.

As a secondary back up, you might get a couple extra bottles and store them in seperate locations near the areas you will most likely be.  Maybe one across the hall or one near the class room and so forth.  You might check and see if your nurses station has any insulin in stock and if not give them some to store.  They will likely be the first people on the scene if you go into shock and they will likely bring it with them if that is the case.  ER medics always carry it in their crash bag so if 911 is called they will bring it to the scene.  Make sure and wear a bracelet so if you crash people will know why and can respond accordingly.

Finally, dont fret too much about not getting a single room.  I'm sure you will not have any problems storing it in your dorm fridge, if you have to get a second fridge for yourself and tell your room mate to stay away.  Im sure they will listen.  Nobody wants to be responsible for killing you which wont happen.

Lastly, enjoy the experience of having a room mate in college.  If you get a good one you will find that it is much more rewarding having one then not having one.  This person can and very will will end up being a friend for life if you let them.

Answer 5

You can get a small refrigerator for your room very inexpensively.

I do feel for you that you have to share a room though! Most of the uni's in the UK have single rooms. Maybe there isn't a single available? So if they gave you a double they'd lose out on the money the other bloke would be paying?

If all else fails you could live off campus.

Answer 6

I think they're perfectly allowed to do this.  I had an apt where there was 6 of us who shared a refridgerator and my roommate was a serious diabetic.  She had at least 6 or 8 bottles of insulin in the fridge at all times, they were necessary for like her life.  You can't make them give you a single room for fear the refridgerator will get unplugged...that's like suggesting your roommate would deliberately sabotage you.  If there is an issue with the fridge, you would have to take it up immediately with the school, but there shouldn't be as long as the buildings have power.  I had a refridgerator all 4 of my years and never once had a problem with it.