All accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis through the interactive process.  MSUN is not obligated to provide accommodations that fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity or would place an undue financial or administrative burden.  MSUN is not obligated to provide personal devices or services or to provide retroactive accommodations.  If you have any questions regarding an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Resource Office.

The following list of accommodations should not be construed as exhaustive or guaranteed.  Accommodations must be reactivated/renewed every year (see Current Students for more information)

Academic

Alternative Textbooks:  Students should notify the Accessibility Resource Office of their need for materials in an alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print, audio) as soon as possible in order to provide an adequate amount of time to obtain or produce them as the process may take between 20-30 days.  Students should be registered with the Accessibility Resource Office and be approved for the use of this accommodation prior to submitting a request for a textbook.

Proof of purchase of the textbook and an Alternative Textbook Request should be submitted to the Accessibility Resource Office as soon as possible.

Recording Lectures:  Students with an approved accommodation to record classroom activities must read and agree to the conditions outlined in the Recorded Lecture Agreement before recording any class.  Instructors may request confirmation or a copy of the signed Recorded Lecture Agreement from the Accessibility Resource Office.  Montana law (§45-8-213(c) M.C.A. 2025) requires parties to receive notice of recordings and students must inform their instructor when they are intending to record prior to recording.  The instructor will notify the class that a recording is taking place, while taking reasonable efforts to protect the student's identity.

Testing Services:  Exam accommodations can include, but are not limited to: extended time; quiet test room, assistive technology, reader/scribe, enlarged print/screen software, and breaks during the exam.  Implementation of these accommodations may vary depending on instructor/faculty and specific accommodation.  Students are responsible for notifying their instructor in a timely manner if they have been approved for the use of this accommodation and wish to utilize it.  It is recommended that students meet with the instructor at the beginning the year to determine implementation of this accommodation.

If an instructor/faculty is able to proctor while accommodating, they may do so, or they may coordinate with the student to utilize the Testing Center.

The Test Proctoring Agreement needs to be signed prior to submitting a proctoring request.  It outlines the process and expectations of test proctoring at the Testing Center.

Contact the Vande Bogart Testing Center by phone (406) 265-3533, email (scott.guyant@msun.edu), or at Library 208.

 

Note Taking:  Note taking accommodations can include a peer note-taker, accessible copies of lecture notes or slides, or note taking technology.  If a peer note-taker is approved, the Accessibility Resource Office will assist in implementation to protect the student's identity.

Housing & Dietary

The Accessibility Resource Office recommends accommodation requests for housing and/or dietary considerations to University Housing after verification of disability related need(s).  These requests may include considerations such as:  single rooms; on-campus housing exemption; meal plan exemption; or ADA accessible floor.

Final housing decisions are based on Accessibility Resource Office recommendation, room availability, and the student’s housing application.  Placement in a single room or apartment is not guaranteed due to limited availability and high demand. A single room or apartment does not guarantee a quiet environment. Please also note that newer buildings do not necessarily equate to or meet criteria for reduced allergen environments.  While we understand students may have food preference and intolerances, please be aware that these conditions do not qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will not result in being removed from the mean plan requirement as an ADA accommodation.

Temporary Medical Accommodation

Temporary medical conditions (such as broken limbs, concussions, or some planned surgeries) are typically conditions or injuries that last less than six months and are not considered permanent disabilities and generally do not qualify as a disability under federal or state laws.  However, the Accessibility Resource Office can assist in providing temporary accommodations when students experiencing temporary medical conditions need assistance. 

Students should follow the steps for a New Student to begin the process of requesting assistance.

Assistive Animals

Service Animals

Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.  Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals.  All service dogs and owners are required to comply with University polices pertaining to animals on campus and, if living in University Housing, all University Housing guidelines, policies, and agreements.

It is strongly recommended that students who need the assistance of a service animal in the classroom register with the Accessibility Resource Office.  By doing so, students will be able to: 1) access additional resources and services available to students with disabilities; 2) document their need for any classroom accommodations; and 3) request additional reasonable accommodations related to the presence of the service animal in certain classroom settings (e.g., such as a chemistry lab).  Registering a service animal with the Accessibility Resource Office may also assist the University if any problems arise that the owner needs assistance with or if an emergency occurs. 

Students living in University Housing with a service animal should notify the Accessibility Resource Office.

Service animals must comply with the responsibilities outlined in the Responsibilities of Owners of Assistive Animals section below.

Owners misrepresenting an animal as either a service or service animal in in training may be subject to discipline by MSUN.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support animals (ESAs) are animals prescribed by a physician or licensed mental health provider to provide therapeutic benefit to individuals with disabilities by alleviating one or more symptoms of a disability.  Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are not limited to dogs and there are greater restrictions surrounding the presence of Emotional Support Animals on campus.

Emotional support animals are only permitted in housing and other buildings and facilities as part of an accommodation through the interactive accommodation process with the Accessibility Resource Office.  ESAs are generally restricted to the individual’s assigned housing unit and are not typically allowed in other indoor spaces and facilities.  All assistive animals in University Housing are required to comply with the requirements of all relevant MSUN policies, as well as University Housing requirements, guidelines, and agreements.

To be considered for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) accommodation, students must be registered with the Accessibility Resource Office, submit an ESA Accommodation Request, and provide documentation from a licensed medical provider that establish the following:

  1. Established Provider Relationship: Confirmation that the student has been under the care of the provider for at least 30 days prior to the request;
  2. Verification of Disability: Confirmation that the student has a documented medical disability (including mental or emotional health conditions);
  3. Clinical Necessity: An explanation of how the specific ESA helps alleviate one or more symptoms of the student’s disability; and
  4. Housing Impact: A clear statement on how the animal assists the student in accessing, using, or enjoying University Housing.

Please review the Documentation Guidelines section for additional documentation information.

All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and reasonable accommodations will be provided as required.

Assistive Animals in University Housing

All students in University Housing that have an assistive animal (service animal or emotional support animal) must follow University Housing requirements regarding assistive animals.  This includes:  

  • Meeting with University Housing (approval for accommodation is required prior to this step for ESA applicants);
  • Signing a University Housing Animal Agreement;  
  • Providing a photograph of the Assistive Animal; 
  • Providing Current Vaccination Records from a licensed veterinarian (where applicable);  
  • Providing Proof the animal is being treated for fleas and ticks (where applicable);
  • Providing proof of compliance with all City of Havre Statutes and Montana State Statutes; and
  • Animal must be housebroken (where applicable).

Responsibilities of Individuals with Animals on Campus

Owners of animals on campus are responsible for their animals at all times.  This responsibility includes complying with all state laws and local animal ordinances, as well as all University and University Housing and Dining policies, guidelines, and animal agreements.  Owners are also responsible for the following:  

  • Maintaining control over the animal at all times;  
  • Animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered when in public unless it interferes with the animal’s ability to perform its trained task, or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices;  
  • Providing animals with appropriate care, including food, water, shelter, healthcare, and humane treatment;  
  • Animal may not be left for prolonged periods of time – student is solely responsible for caring for the animal including during any breaks, and may not leave animals in University Housing during times when University Housing is closed;
    • Animal should never be left overnight without the owner and should not be left unattended on University property, except as permitted in University Housing, including tied to fences, railings, or signs.
  • Cleaning up and disposing of all animal waste (both indoors and outdoors) in a timely and appropriate manner;  
  • Not allowing odor, noise, damage, or other behavior of animals that disturbs others or damages University grounds, facilities or property;  
  • All animals must be crated or otherwise appropriately contained when in University Student Housing;
  • Animal must not be disruptive, aggressive, or pose a health or safety threat to others; and  
  • Maintaining any required vaccination and licensure requirements.  

Excluding or Removing an Assistive Animal

Animals, including service and emotional support animals, may be prohibited from or required to leave a building or facility on campus if: 

  • The owner does not comply with University policies regarding the presence of animals on campus, including the Responsibilities of Individuals with Animals on Campus outlined above; 
  • The animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, including other animals on campus;  
  • The animal substantially interferes with the reasonable use of University buildings or facilities by others; 
  • The University determines that an emotional support animal accommodation is no longer reasonable under the circumstances; or 
  • Allowing the animal on the premises would require a fundamental alteration to the nature of the University’s programs, services, or activities. 

Where appropriate, the University will provide students with notification of any concerns prior to removal or exclusion of the animal from University buildings and facilities.  However, immediate removal may occur if warranted by the circumstances.  Once removed or excluded, the animal may not return to University property without prior approval from Dean of Student Affairs' Office and Accessibility Resource Office. 

Questions and Reporting

Questions, complaints, or concerns regarding animals on University property or in University buildings or facilities should be directed to the Accessibility Resource Office 406.265.3533 or accessibilty@msun.edu.  In the case of animals in University Housing, please notify Taryn Wallon at 406.265.3539 or taryn.wallon@msun.edu (CC: accessibility@msun.edu).

If there are any safety concerns involving an animal, including a risk of danger to people or property, please dial 911.

Individuals with assistive animals who feel they have been discriminated against or harassed due to a disability may contact the Accessibility Resource Office at 406.265.3533.

Important: The request and review process must be completed prior to the animal arriving in housing.