Walking up the stairs is difficult for Boston University junior Caine Murcia. With a disability that makes half of their body go numb, they have to use an elevator to access other floors. Inaccessibility in classroom buildings impedes their ability to learn. They are not alone in their challenges.

With the fall semester underway, college students weigh the pros and cons of living in a hotel instead of a traditional dormitory infused in campus life. 

While Boston University guarantees four-year housing for all students, some international and exchange students are receiving a different type of housing option for the 2014 fall semester. Instead of...