Evacuation Assistance
Bellarmine University is committed to providing an
equal educational opportunity and full participation for persons with
disabilities. It is the policy of the University to provide accessible
places for students to live and study, with appropriate safety and
security measures in place. During fire alarms and other emergencies,
alarms and flashing lights, which are located throughout the
residential facilities, will alert students of potential and/or
imminent danger. In addition, public address systems will be used when
possible. Smoke detectors are in all residential rooms and public areas,
and sprinkler systems are located in Petrik and Anniversary Halls.
The Security and Residence Life staff will inform
Emergency Response Personnel of persons with disabilities who may
require assistance evacuating a building during an emergency. The
staffs have been trained to follow the Evacuation of Persons with
Disabilities procedures, as outlined in the Guide to Residence Hall
Living, and the Student Handbook. The Residence Life and Security
staffs will maintain a list of the students who may need assistance and
their room assignments. This information will be shared with external
rescue personnel if needed. It is the responsibility of the student to
inform the Residence Life Office if evacuation assistance will be
needed.
Room Assignment
On-campus residence hall accommodations are available for
students with disabilities. Adapted housing space is limited and
spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis when the
completed application and deposits are received. It is the
responsibility of the student to register with the Office of Accessibility Resource Center if special accommodations are needed when applying for housing.
The student is encouraged to apply early and to notify the Residence
Life Office of special needs when the application for housing is made.
The Residence Life Office will respond to requests for appropriate and
reasonable housing accommodations in a timely manner.
If a student or the student's parents or advocate believe
that the University's policy or the student's housing assignment does
not reasonably accommodate the student's disability or endangers the
student's safety or health, s/he may file an appeal. The appeal must be
in writing and filed with the Director or Assistant Director of
Residence Life within 15 calendar days of the assignment. If the
student is not satisfied with the response of the Residence Life senior
staff member, the student may request a review by the Appeals
Committee within seven calendar days after receipt of the response by
the Residence Life officer. The Appeals Committee shall be comprised of
the Accessibility Resource Center Coordinator (Chair), the Chief of Safety and
Security, the Director of Wellness and Health Services, and the
Assistant Director of Facilities Management. The Director of Residence
Life will forward the appeal to the Accessibility Resource Center Coordinator.
The Appeals Committee shall notify the student in writing of its
decision within ten business days after the appeal is received. The
decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and not subject to
further review.