呦乐园

Students MUST register with the Access Office for access to accommodations and assistive technologies. The Access Office cannot reach out to students who may need such accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to register.

If you are a 呦乐园 or South Georgia State College Entry Program student with a documented disability who is requesting to have their Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in the residence hall,  you must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible (2 months prior to occupancy is recommended, although requests will be considered in the event that space is still available). Students must complete the Request for ESA Housing Accommodation form and provide . Requests are determined on a case-by-case basis with respect to sufficient documentation from a reliable, licensed healthcare provider with knowledge of the student’s specific circumstances and health history. 

STEP ONE: Students must complete the Request for REQUEST FOR HOUSING/DINING ACCOMMODATION that is located on the 呦乐园 Access Office website (see link below).

Please read over this form and complete all parts, be very specific regarding your symptoms of your disability and how you manage your symptoms.

/student/disability/request-for-esa-housing-accommodation.php

STEP TWO: We require updated (within the last 6 months) documentation of the student’s disability that supports and recommends them obtaining an ESA.
The documentation should be in the form of a detailed letter from the student’s treating therapist/specialist/physician.  The letter should be on a professional letterhead and must be signed, dated, and include their licensing information.

  The letter should also include the following:
1. Diagnosis (DSM Codes)

2. Length of time student has been under treatment with medical professionals (must document a history of treatment at least 4 to 6 months)

3. Student’s specific symptoms

4. How students’ specific symptoms affect their daily living activities (including the educational environment)

5. How the ESA assists the student in managing their specific symptoms

6. What other interventions (medication, therapy, etc.) has the student utilized to help manage their symptoms.
7. ESA Information

-Must have an established relationship with the chosen ESA

-Attach a clear picture of your ESA

-Please prepare to produce documentation including but not limited to vaccination records, and ESA support documents.
 
You may submit all the documentation by email to access@valdosta.edu.  Once we receive all required documentation and review it to ensure it meets GA Board of Regents criteria, we have 7-10 business days to decide. Once the decision is made, we will notify you by email. If approved by our office, you will then have to complete the final part of the process by contacting 呦乐园 Housing and completing their required paperwork.  In the meantime, do not bring your ESA to campus.
I WOULD CAUTION YOU ON SEEKING OUT A SERVICE ON THE INTERNET THAT ADVERTISES TO WRITE ESA APPROVAL LETTERS FOR A FEE (USUALLY $200 TO $500).  THESE LETTERS USUALLY DO NOT MEET OUR CRITERIA FOR ESA APPROVAL.

The Access Office is unable to approve requests that do not specifically address inaccessibility. For example, documentation that states that, “the student would benefit from…” or “it would be easier if…” will not likely meet the criteria for accommodation.

Please note:

• A documented medical condition does not necessarily indicate that a student qualifies as a student with a disability who requires accommodation.
• An ESA accommodation and a private room accommodation are considered different requests and must be submitted separately.  They will be reviewed independently of one another.
• The Access Office is not able to recommend a specific residence hall, room or roommate.
• Do not assume that existence of a disability/medical condition will support a request for release of contract. In most cases, options for housing accommodations (e.g., change of room, change of hall, etc.) need to be explored prior to support of a release of contract by the Access Office. It is recommended that, despite the existence of a disability, students complete the process outlined by Housing and Residence Life prior to making any alternate plans for housing.
• The documentation review process for an ESA request must be completed prior to the student bringing their ESA to campus.  If a student is found with an animal that has not been approved as an ESA, the student will be subject to 呦乐园’s Housing policy.
• If guidelines are not being followed established by housing, your ESA accommodation will be terminated. You will then have 24-48 hours to remove the ESA from housing
• Please note: If a student is approved for an ESA, only 1 ESA is allowed per student. If a service animal is being housed, an ESA request is subject to denial due to the space of the living area.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Priority Deadlines