Making

the
UNM

Recommendation Report, Presented to Dr. Jenna Crabb, Dean of Students

Residen
t

Halls

More
Accessi

Presented April 30, 2016

By Jillian Woodruff, Resident Advisor

ble

Table of Contents
Introduction3
Methodology..4-5
Results................................6-8
Discussion of Results.9-10
Final Recommendation..................................10
References..11
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to bring to the attention of the UNM dean of students, the
inaccessibility issues I observed on the UNM campus, specifically at the Resident Halls. In this
report I discuss the importance of this problem so that the dean of students may consider the final
recommendation I have suggested and carefully thought through. In order to properly, more
closely analyze the problem and come up with some options, I went through a number of steps
which include: creating an evaluation criteria, researching the dorms and ADA laws (American
with Disability Act of 1990), visiting the dorms and observing accessibility issues, and analyzing
options according to the criterias. With this, I was able to find that only a few of the dorms are
wheelchair accessible which give students with mobile impairments very few options if they
want to live on campus. After considering and analyzing options such as constructing elevators
into each building, and creating a resident hall specifically for disabled students, my final
recommendation is to make at least one of each style dorms(traditional, suite, apartment) more
accessible by constructing elevators and ramps.

Introduction
Since the American Accessibility Act of 1990, America has made a significant amount of
changes that include enhancing the independence, full participation, inclusion, and equality of
opportunity for Americans with disabilities. People with mobility impairments have experienced
substantial improvements in physical access to transportation, housing, businesses and
government agencies. With over 20,000 students, the University of New Mexico has a diverse
body of people, this also includes the various students whom have different disabilities. UNM is
welcoming to all students despite race, gender, ethnicity, and disabilities, and seems to be making
progress as it makes its campus more and more accessible for all students, but there are still some
issues that need to be worked on. With over 2,000 of the University students living on campus,
my question is whether or not the resident halls are accessible to students who have mobile
impairments and/or are in wheelchairs. With what I have observed, most of the resident halls
seem to be very inaccessible to any students who are unable to do stairs. There are no elevators
in most of the halls, and a lack of ramps and railings to even get into the buildings. This problem
not only makes it harder for students with disabilities to get around, it also can prevent students
with disabilities from choosing to attend this university. In this report, I stress that in order to
create a more comfortable, and welcoming community for all UNM students, these issues I have
found at the resident halls need to be addressed and fixed as soon as possible.
Methodology
Step 1: Create an Evaluation criteria
Step 2: Research about the dorms, and the ADA laws (American with Disability Act of 1990)
Step 3: Visit dorms and observe accessibility
Step 4: Interpret and analyze options according to criterias

Step 1: Create an Evaluation criteria

In order to effectively address and solve the problem, the best option must comply with
the following criterias.
Cost: The cost of the options must be reasonable and with accordance to the UNM
budget. It is important that funds are not wasted and used only for what is absolutely needed.
This will be judged based on the extent of the problem and its importance.
Advantages for the students with disabilities: I will analyze how the option will benefit
the student with disabilities. I will consider how the options can affect the physical, emotional,
and mental state of these students.
Disadvantages for students with disabilities and University: I will analyze how the
options will negatively affect the students with disabilities, and the overall UNM campus.
Step 2: Research
In order to get the information I needed to begin my report, my first step was to do some
research. I researched the regulations required due to the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and found which laws pertained to college dormitories. I went to an organization website
called national network that had a handbook of all the ADA rules and regulations. After I did
that, I went to the UNM housing website, looked at all the resident halls available, and noted all
of their locations. I also researched the UNM resources already available for handicapped
residents.
Step 3: Visiting the Dorms

With the information I found due to my research, I knew what to look for when I went to
visit the dorms. I was able to visit outside all seven of the dorms and was able to go inside most
of them. The dorms I was able to go inside of included Coronado hall, Laguna DeVargas hall,
Alvarado Hall, Hokona Hall, and Santa Clara Hall. During my visits, I was able to observe and
note the different inaccessibility issues that students who are immobile and/or are in wheelchairs
may have when coming in and out of the dorms. These issues included uneven pavement, steps
without ramps or railings, small hallway, and elevators. With the Americans with Disability Act
in mind, I looked for all the accessible features needed at these buildings. I made sure to evaluate
all the options these students have available to them at these different halls, and noted which
halls seem to be more or less accessible than the others.
Step 4: Interpret and analyze options according to criterias
After visiting the different dormitories on the UNM campus, I was able to come with a
couple of possible options that would make UNM overall a more accessible campus. These
options include: constructing elevators into all of these buildings, creating dorms only for
students with disabilities, and transforming one of each different style of dorms to be accessible
by adding elevators, and necessary ramps and railings. The last thing to do was research the cost
and procedures of each option.
Results
Online Research
With my research I found that although UNM provides students who have special needs and
disabilities with housing that fits their criterias, this housing option is only available to the first
come first serve, which means it is very limited. If a student is immobile and/or in a wheelchair

and does not register for housing early, they may not be able to live on campus which means they
have to find another accessible place to live hopefully in time for school. I also found that the
ADA laws more specifically the Fair Housing Act, applies to covered multifamily dwellings,
which includes dormitories. There are 7 requirements for these dwellings which include:
Requirement 1. Accessible building entrance on an accessible route.
Requirement 2. Accessible and usable public and common use areas.
Requirement 3. Usable doors.
Requirement 4. Accessible route into and through the covered dwelling unit.
Requirement 5. Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in
accessible locations.
Requirement 6. Reinforced walls for grab bars.
Requirement 7. Usable kitchens and bathrooms.
Visiting the dorms
When I did research, and visited the different Resident Halls, I found that most of the
dorms seem to have inaccessibility issues especially for students that are immobile and/or use a
wheelchair. Laguna De Vargas seemed to be the least accessible dorms while Hokona seems to
be the most accessible. Most of the dorms have no elevator and lack ramps and railings. Six of
the eight dorms which have at least 3 or more floors have no elevator available in the buildings.
This makes it impossible for wheelchair stricken students to go past the first floor.
The ADA Act does not require these buildings to have elevators and the Halls for the most part
seem to follow the ADA regulations, there are still violations. Laguna DeVargas, and Coronado
for an example have their kitchens downstairs which makes it completely inaccessible to

wheelchairs do to the lack of elevators. Some of the Halls are lacking ramps next to the steps that
lead to the front door of the building, which also presents accessibility issues.
RESIDENT HALLS

STYLES

ELEVATOR

RAMPS

HOKONA HALL

TRADITIONAL

YES

YES

SANTA CLARA HALL

TRADITIONAL

NO

YES

ALVARADO HALL

TRADITIONAL

NO

NO

CORONADO HALL

TRADITIONAL

NO

YES

LAGUNA DEVARGAS HALL

SUITE

NO

NO

REDONDO VILLAGE

APARTMENTS

NO

NO

STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER

APRTMENTS

NO

NO

Discussion of Results
Option 1: Construct elevators into each building
Cost: It would cost $15,000- $25,000 per building to build an elevator. This would be
approximately $180,000-$300,000 total.
Advantages: Students with mobile impairments and/or are in a wheelchair will have
access to each floor at every resident hall. This gives the students the option to live at any dorms,
and makes it possible for residents to also invite their friends and families who are disabled to
their homes.

Disadvantages: This will take a lot of time and money to construct the elevators. Some
buildings may not have space or are suited to add elevators into them.
Option 2: Transform existing halls specifically for students with disabilities
Cost: It would cost $15,000-$25,000 to build an elevator into one of the buildings.
Advantages: All students in wheelchairs will have access to their own living area.
Disadvantages: Students will be separated from others that do not have disabilities. This
can raise a problem with inequality and segregation.
Option3: Transform one of each style of dorms to become fully accessible
Cost: It will cost $15,000-$25,000 per building, to build an elevator. The total cost would
be $30,000-$50,000 to build two elevators since a traditional style dorm (Hokona hall) already
has an elevator.
Advantages: Students with disabilities will have more options when choosing which
dorms to live in. They will not be as limited and can choose whatever style dorm they would like
to be in. They will be able to have full accessibility with their entire building and feel a part of
the community.
Disadvantages: Some dorms will remain inaccessible to students in wheelchairs.
Although less than the first option, this option will take time and money for construction.

Resources

Cost

Option 1

12 Elevators + ramps

$180,000-$300,000

Option 2

1 or > Elevator

$15,000-$25,000

Option 2

2 or 3 Elevator + ramps

$30,000-$50,000

Cost:
Cost seems to be the biggest contributing factor when it comes to all of the options. The
finances it takes to build elevators can be very costly, but if used wisely and for the benefit of the
students it will be worth it. The most expensive option would be to build elevators into each
building since that will require a mass amount of construction. The cheapest option would be to
transform an already existing dorm into an all accessible building made specifically for the
disabled since less resources will need to be purchased, and less construction will need to be
done. Transforming dorms from each style would be the next cheapest option, since it would
require only two dorms become transformed, and the already accessible dorm (Hokona Hall) to
be overlooked.
Advantages:
If we forget about price and construction, the most helpful option would be to construct
elevators into each building, since it will allow students with disabilities to pick which ever dorm
they would like. The second most helpful option would be the third option, to transform dorms,
one of each style to become all accessible, because it also expands the students options. The least
advantages one is the second option, which is a dorm specifically for the disabled, since they will
only have access to their own living space

Disadvantages:
The disadvantages of option one, is how much time and money it would take to
build elevators into each building. The disadvantages of option two, is how this option will
separate the disabled students from the non-disabled students, which will only cause a numerous
amount of other problems. The option that seems to be the least disadvantages is the third option.
Although it will take money, and some dorms will still be left inaccessible, this option seems to
have less cons then the others.
Final Recommendation
Taking my findings into consideration, I see that the best option to solve this problem
would be my third option, which is to transform one of each type of the resident halls
(traditional, suite, apartment) to be all accessible for students with disabilities. This includes
building an elevators and adding any ramps, or railings necessary. The cheapest, and more
efficient thing to do, would be to transform two of the already existing halls, one suite style and
one apartment style, since the traditional hall, Hokona seems to be pretty accessible already. The
only thing to do, would be to make sure the halls, and doors are all easy to go in and out of for
students who have mobile impairments and/or are in a wheelchair.
Thank you for your time and consideration, to contact me for any questions or concerns, you can
email me at jwoodruff456@unm.edu.

References
Resident Life and Student Housing. UNM. Web. <https://housing.unm.edu>.

Home Elevators: A Rising Trend. Houzz, 24 Apr. 2013. Web.

<http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2021074/list/home-elevators-a-rising-trend>.

Accessibility (Design and Construction) Requirements for Covered Multifamily Dwellings

Under the Fair Housing Act. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, 30 Apr. 2013. Web.
<http://www.ada.gov/doj_hud_statement.pdf>.

Construction Cost Estimates for College Dormitory (2-3 Story) in National, US. RS Means from
the Gordian Group. Web. <Construction Cost Estimates for College Dormitory (2-3 Story) in
National, US>.