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Additional Requests

Additional Requests for Residential Life

As you think about your on-campus needs, it’s important to consider special requests or accomdiaitons. There are some requests that Residential Life cannot immediately offer without the assistance of our Campus Partners. If you’re looking for a specific type of request, please read a little more about some of the common requests that residents inquire about. Should you have more questions about these requests, you can always email Residential Life or the associated Campus Partner.

First Year Housing Application- Specific Roommates

Single Rooms –There are a lot of factors that go into first year room placements. First Year Residential Courses are the main driving factors behind housing placements as well as Disability Services accommodations. First Year Residential Courses placements (still being determined) will drive the amount of singles we have. For example, in Doty and Turck, single rooms are very limited. In Dupre Hall, we do have many single options. Disability Services also lets us know which students need to be in a single. This may take up any available single placements we have. 

When our new student housing preferences go out, your student can indicate that they would like to live in a single space. We do our best to meet these requests but we cannot guarantee that we can meet these requests. 

Specific Teammates/ Specific Roommates – As stated before, First Year Residential Courses are the main driving factors behind housing placements. After we match folks based on the FYC (First Year Course) we use our housing software to randomize folks based on their responses you provided in your preference form. If there are additional things you would like us to consider (like specific roommates), we’re happy to note that down (via email) in our housing software! However, we cannot guarantee this match.

If we are able to match you both, we suggest having the other person reach out and let us know that they’re interested in rooming with you!

Accommodation Requests – Center for Disability Resources

Contact information:

  • On-Campus Location for Center for Disability Resources (CDR):
    • Kagin Commons
  • Phone: 651-696-6748
  • 651-696-6698 (fax)
  • [email protected]

Potential Impacted Community – Folks with Learning disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic health conditions, attentional differences (ADHD), blind and low vision, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Deaf and. or hard of hearing, physical and mobility disabilities, temporary injuries, mental health or health impacts, and more.

Residential Life and Housing/Food Accommodations

Students will be considered for housing accommodation based on the following:

  • A medical/mental health disability that significantly impacts the ability of the student to live in traditional housing configurations.
  • How the accommodation reduces disability impacts
  • Space and other housing configuration considerations
  • Timeliness of request

Single Rooms:
Single rooms requests via CDR are for instances where a single is medically necessary as part of a treatment plan to reduce disability impact.

Preference for a single, a specific location, concern about typical collegiate noises, or a roommate concern may not rise to a level of medically necessary and an accommodation via this process.

Service and Emotional Support/Assistance Animals:

General Steps: Student has discussed any questions or concerns with CDR staff in advance of animal arrival.

  • Student provides information that clearly identifies the need for the animal and any assistance the animal provides (if not readily apparent) by above deadlines.
  • Ensure animal vaccination records are up to date and records provided to the CDR Office prior to animal arrival.
  • Agree to the animal management policy provided by CDR staff prior to animal arrival.
  • Student has discussed any questions or concerns with CDR staff in advance of animal arrival.

Meal Dietary / Food Allergy:

Macalester College is committed to providing inclusive environments, including dietary access. CDR staff works closely with Cafe Mac/Bon Appetite as part of this process; accommodations are intended to ensure that students with food-related disabilities have equal access to appropriate food options and remain on the food plan as much as possible. All students are welcome to inquire about/meet with Cafe Mac staff on food options that may be already available for dietary restrictions.

This accommodation process is intended for students who have medical and food allergy needs. Modifications for food preferences (e.g. vegetarian diets), or financial considerations should work with Residential Life by emailing the Residential Life email address with specific needs or requests.

Religious Accommodations- Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

  • On-Campus Location for the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CSRL)
    • Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel
  • Phone: 651-696-6298
  • [email protected]
  • You can also directly contact Rev. Kelly Stone, Champlain & Associate Dean

Religious Accommodations and Support

Potential Impacted Community – Folks who are dedicated to continuing (or exploring) their faith or other spirituality needs.

Residential Life Religious and Spiritual Accommodations – Folks may want to chat with someone in the CSRL about single gender communities for religious needs, access to water for cleansing or washing rituals, semi-permanent fixtures, use of open flames, open space to pray or meditate or religious food needs. It’s best to meet with a staff member in the CSRL to inquire more about these potential accommodations.

Please read more about single gender options for residential life as we have expanded our housing to fit a more gender inclusive housing model.

Gender and Sexuality Accommodations – Gender and Sexuality Commons in The Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice

  • On- Campus Location for the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice (LSC)
    • Kagin Commons, First Floor
  • Phone:  651-696-6243

Intentional housing for transgender & nonbinary students is available for first-year students on the first floor of Doty Hall. Please contact the Office of Residential Life ([email protected]) with specific housing/roommate needs or to seek exemptions for first-year courses that are residential but are assigned to a floor that doesn’t have bathroom options that meet your needs. Sophomore, junior, and senior students should also contact Residential Life with inquiries regarding gender-inclusive housing.

Please read more about gender inclusive options for residential life as we have expanded our housing to fit a more gender inclusive housing model.

Exemptions (Meal Plans & Housing)

Please review the dining and housing exemption process on our Policies and Procedures page. It will be important to have secondary options as it is not a guarantee that your request will be approved.

What Happens Next?

Next Points

Once your request or question is submitted, you will be contacted by the campus partner if it is approved (or more information is needed.)  Residential Life staff will then connect with you on possible space configurations.

For DS accommodations- If your request is approved, you will be considered for a housing accommodation that first and foremost meets your documented needs. Building and room type preferences will be considered and honored if possible, but an assignment within your preferences is not guaranteed (e.g. asking to live in a specific residence hall or with specific roommates).

Accommodation requests need to be made every academic year due to space considerations.  Previous accommodations do not guarantee similar accommodations from year to year.  Students should be prepared to have alternative options their first request cannot be granted due to space or other administrative limitations.