If you are an incoming student, visit our incoming student information page!

Deadlines to apply for housing accommodations for Fall 2025

• Returning students: March 14, 2025, at  5 p.m. EST
• Incoming students: June 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST

Housing Accommodation Request Process

The documents that the Housing Accommodation Request Committee (HARC) requires for review from students with disabilities seeking housing accommodations are:

• An application completed through the Accommodate Student Access Portal
• Housing Verification of Disability Form completed by their current treating clinician or evaluator
• Voter Registration Audit Form

If adequate paperwork has been submitted, students will be notified in writing within approximately 15 business days of the Housing Accommodation Request Committee’s decision. Please note that this process may take longer if additional information or clarification is required from the student and/or their clinician.

The provision of any approved housing accommodations are 1) contingent on the student having a housing contract, and 2) contingent on availability.

Have your documentation ready to upload and allow for about 30 minutes to fully complete the application. If you have any questions, e-mail SHRC@jmu.edu or call 540-568-6705 and we will answer your question during business hours.

*You will need your EID and password to access the application. Additionally, your 9-digit student ID number is required as part of the application. If you are a prospective student, visit our How to Find your Student ID Number webpage to ensure that you enter the correct 9-digit number.

• After you submit the application and your documentation, HARC will review it. Please, allow 15 business days for this review from the day that both the application and documentation were submitted.
• Once a decision is made, the committee will e-mail your @dukes.jmu.edu account with the results.

Eligibility for Disability Services

Disability Services are available to currently enrolled students who have a documented disability that substantially limits them in one or more of life's major activities.

Individuals eligible for services include, but are not limited to, students with Learning and Psychological Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Mobility, Orthopedic, Hearing, Visual, and Speech Impairments as well some Medical Conditions. 

Prospective Students
ODS is not involved in the JMU admission process unless we are contacted by the Office of Admissions. There is no prescribed formula for gaining admission. JMU works to select the strongest candidates from a high-quality pool. Check out the Admissions site to get an idea of what the admission committee is looking for. Disclosing a disability is voluntary and applicants are not required to discuss or disclose disability information during the admission process. However, many applicants with disabilities choose to discuss this aspect of their lives in an optional personal statement as a way to explain one's identity and life experiences, or to shed light on skills and aptitudes. Disclosing a disability will not negatively impact a student's standing in the applicant pool.

Newly Admitted Students
Congratulations on your acceptance to JMU! We are excited about the possibility of you joining the JMU community. In order to answer any questions you might have, The Office of Admissions sponsors CHOICES, a program for admitted first-year students and their families to learn more about JMU. During CHOICES, ODS professional and student staff are available to provide you and your family information on documentation guidelines, transitioning, accommodations, services, and resources.

Getting Oriented to JMU and ODS
Welcome to the beginning of your transition to JMU. For more information on Orientation, visit the Orientation website. Getting started with ODS during the summer months gives you time to meet the ODS staff, get questions answered and set up accommodations for the upcoming semester. Since your Summer Orientation day will be tightly scheduled, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with ODS (either virtually or in person) on a different day than your Summer Orientation day. Prior to your appointment, you will need follow the registration process listed above.

Current Students
Please engage in the registration process above prior to or as early in the semester as possible.