Requesting Accommodations

Various academic accommodations are available to students with disabilities, depending on their individual needs as supported in the documentation provided. These may include a reduced course load, course substitutions, use of a tape recorder or computer in the classroom, and testing modifications such as extended time. 

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are available to students who have qualified by identifying themselves to the Student Disability Services Office by providing appropriate documentation of a disability, and making a timely request for the accommodation. Certain disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairment, may also necessitate note takers, interpreters, or the use of specialized equipment in the classroom. Because these accommodations take time to arrange, requests should be made well in advance. The staff in the Office of Student Disability Services will make every reasonable effort to provide timely services in case of sudden and unexpected need.

A student who may require accommodations should contact the Director of Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Determining whether a disability exists and which accommodations are reasonable and appropriate is based on the documentation that is provided by the student.

All information shared by a student with the Office of Student Disability Services is held in strictest confidence. Except for emergency reasons, information is exchanged only as necessary in providing services or with those specific offices and/or individuals for which the student has provided written permission.

Course Modifications

When appropriate, students with disabilities may be entitled to modifications in a course, such as extended time on exams, other testing modifications, permission to tape record a lecture, or use of a laptop computer for note taking.  With the student's permission and upon the student's request, the Office of Student Disability Services will provide students with a memo for faculty to notify them of the student's eligibility for academic modifications.  Students must work directly with instructors to develop a suitable arrangement for each specific circumstance.  Requests for such modifications must be submitted to the Office of Student Disability Services each semester by completing a form that provides information on current classes.

Modifications to the Curriculum

Any curriculum modifications that require exceptions to College policy, such as course load adjustments or course substitutions, must be approved by petition to the Committee on Academic Standing for all students.  Petitions are available in the Office of the Registrar and must be signed by the student's academic advisor and class dean.  Students petitioning on the basis of a disability should consult with the Director of Student Disability services for approval as well, particularly if documentation of the disability is on file in the Office of Student Disability Services.