School is starting again in 2 weeks and I really don’t want to go back. I had applied for a single room due to medical reasons but was rejected. I have pretty severe social phobia and anxiety and panic disorders so my psychologist felt I should get a single room. I submitted lengthy paperwork (six pages) for my school explaining my condition but they deemed the single room unnecessary. I don’t really know what to do because in 2 weeks I’ll be living with a stranger. Last year was so bad that I would leave in the morning and come back at night just because I had such bad anxiety being around my roommate so I never felt truly comfortable in my room. I hope this year will be better. I’m going to be a junior this fall. Though I’d rather not return given the current housing situation, I just can’t waste my parents’ money by dropping out this late. Whaf are my options here?? Should I just try my best to get through the school year and suck it up?
Can you live off campus? Most schools allow this for juniors, but I am not sure how this would fit with your anxiety, nor what apartments are available in your area.
Do you take any medication to help you with your anxiety?
How are you doing from an academic point of view? Are you happy with your major and are your grades okay?
–I would consider off campus options if affordable/available.
–I would ask the office of Disability services exactly why your request for a single was rejected and what type of back-up would they consider sufficient to approve your request.
–I would also make an appointment at your college counseling office. Perhaps someone there can help your work through your issues and if not perhaps the counselor could advocate for you with the Office of Disability Services (maybe get a room change to a single next semester).
I would if I could. I actually looked into this freshman year since living on campus was so difficult for me. The area around my school is pretty expensive and my family just can’t afford it. 
I currently take zoloft for my anxiety. It has helped me with my panic attacks but I still struggle with bad anxiety when I’m talking to people one on one. My grades are pretty good despite my anxiety. Because I was so nervous around being my past roommate, I spent most of my free time in the library studying so my grades haven’t really suffered. I also love my major and have no plans on changing it really. I just would need to get through these last two years of college somehow…
Did you fill out the paperwork yourself? If you had a doctor’s note stating that a single room is a medical necessity for you, they really should not mess with that. Did they tell you why they felt it was “unnecessary”?
If it’s really as bad as you say, I would considering transferring your credits to a school that you can commute to from home, or at least one that has a surrounding area where you can afford to live. But that’s only if they continue to decline your request.
@happy1: My dad tried talking to them but they wouldn’t disclose details as to why it was rejected. My dad even stated he would meet with them to discuss the situation but the director refused to meet with us. I’m going to try to work on the courage to go to counseling but it’s pretty hard for me. I’m terrified of being judged by others or someone will know that something’s wrong with me so I’ve put it off for a long time.
@soontobecolleger: Part of the paperwork I filled out, the other half my therapist filled out advocating a single for me. When my dad called to get more information, the housing director stated my application didn’t fit the criteria and wouldn’t give more information than that. He even admitted that most housing accommodations are approved so it kind of rubs more salt on the wound that mine was rejected.
Have you tried to get in contact with anyone who has a single and see if they’re willing to trade rooms with you? I understand most people may not want to trade single but if you ask around you might be able to find someone whose willing to give up their single.
OP how do you feel about transferring?
I might try asking around but out of everyone I know, I know for sure they wouldn’t give up their single especially to live with a total stranger. With the major I have, I can’t transfer as easily since the classes I’m taking are specialized to my school. People who have the same major as me are taking different classes at other universities so most of my credits wouldn’t apply.
@shycology909 – have your dad contact the DEAN OF STUDENTS, asap. It sounds like you have a completely legitimate request for a single and should get at least (!) an explanation why it was denied. Being blown off by the housing director doesn’t sound professional. You both deserve to be treated better.
Have your family lawyer call or send a letter. A simple request for the university’s written denial of accommodation by a lawyer along the lines of “The university is aware of my client’s disorder, has been informed of the doctor’s treatment plan, and has been denied a means of accommodation, correct?” may move you into a single.
Would this be a situation where the university person won’t talk to the dad because of HIPAA laws?? That might explain why they wouldn’t talk to dad.
What does your doctor recommend?
Are you registered with the disability office? Will they advocate on your behalf?
Yes – it could be as in post #11, HIPPA and/or FERPA: The school will not talk to your dad. It has to be you to ask. (Easier said than done if you have anxiety, though. Perhaps your dad could ask what forms you need to sign so he can help you?)
I’ve already given them permission to speak with my parents. This housing committee is essentially the disability office so I don’t think they’ll advocate for me.
My parents are going to email the dean with more specifics and we’ll see if it goes anywhere. It’s just a very upsetting situation and I feel as if my condition isn’t being treated as a real thing. My doctor/therapist put in writing that she recommends I room alone. I could understand if they ran out of singles but they didn’t even say anything to me.
File a complaint. Take it to the local Office of Disability Rights. I hope one day SAD gets greater recognition as a disability.
I am surprised the disability and housing departments are the same. I would try to clarify that. The disability office should be able to help you. Truthfully, I doubt that you will get anywhere with housing. You need to get the disability office to step up. Can you and your dad both show up in person at the disability office?
You might try posting in the Parent board. There are many on this forum who understand the legal obligations of college concerning disabilities.
My school has a specific housing division for disabled students which is the office I submitted my request to and was thus, denied. I asked them specifics about why they rejected the request but they gave me pretty general info on how they make decisions on applications and nothing about my specific case. It’s a little disappointing because they won’t give much information to me so I highly doubt my parents will get anywhere either.
Both my parents and I have offered to meet with them in person but the disability housing director seems unwilling to do so. He states the only option is to file a discrimination complaint. However, it’s a little hard to do so considering we do not know why the application was rejected in the first place.
Go above that director’s head.
I hope you do start school while continuing to address this. Cope the way you have so far while waiting for resolution.