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Residence Life Medical Release Policy‌

This document is available for download in PDF format. These documents contain forms for you to print out and submit. If you are unable to fill them out due to your disability, please contact us.

Residence Life Medical Release Policy‌ (PDF)

Montclair State University’s Residence License and Dining Agreement is a legally binding contract, signed by students residing on campus, for the entire academic year. Medical requests to be released from this license will only be considered for students who show a significant and unforeseen change in their medical condition since entering into the agreement.  Students must be in treatment, and this condition must be new or have worsened to the extent that normal life functions cannot be maintained while living in residence.

The Department of Residence Life in collaboration with the Disability Resource Center will consider a release from a residential license as an accommodation for students with documented disabilities as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  The laws define a disability as a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Documentation must demonstrate that these functional limitations impact the individual’s ability to live in a University residential setting.

Please carefully read the following important information and instructions:

  • Issues that can be resolved by a change in room or building will not be approved
  • Accommodations which will mitigate the functional limitations described by the medical professional may be offered to the student in lieu of a release from contractual obligations
  • All requests are subject to a thorough review by a committee comprised of personnel from Residence Life, University Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services and/or The Disability Resource Center.  Students must sign a release of confidentiality, so medical documentation can be shared with the committee.
  • The release process involves extensive investigation and review.  Applicants will be notified by email within 7-10 days business days after submission of documentation.  Every effort will be made to expedite the process.
  • Students who vacate their assigned building without obtaining an official decision will continue to accrue room and board charges to their student account.
  • If the request is approved, the official notification will be sent to your MSU email account and include check-out procedures and the date by which your residence must be vacated.
  • Students seeking to appeal the decision made by the committee must do so in writing to the Associate Dean of Students, Yolanda Alvarez, within two business days of receiving the decision. Associate Dean Alvarez is the University’s Section 504 Compliance Officer. Requests for appeals will only be considered if there is new information that the committee did not consider or if the procedures for the review of your request were not followed.

Printable Forms

Please see the printable documents linked above for forms you can print and submit.