Dear Faculty Colleagues,
߲ݴý is committed to ensuring comprehensive educational access for all registered students seeking to meet course and curricular requirements and full participation in University programs and activities. In addition to this institutional commitment, ߲ݴý is required to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
By ߲ݴý policy, students seeking academic adjustments must register through the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS), and only vetted and approved adjustments are communicated to faculty via the Accommodate system (and conversely, the only ADAAA-related adjustments faculty should make are those approved by the OSDS). Put another way, the adjustments communicated to faculty via Accommodate have been deemed necessary and reasonable by a trained and qualified professional. Once adjustments have been communicated, we are legally required to make those adjustments.
Please know students receive reminders during the summer months and holiday break periods to renew their adjustments for the upcoming fall or spring semester to ensure they are prepared on the first day of instruction. Despite these reminders, students will sometimes forget to renew their adjustments and subsequently request that their professors “unofficially” grant their adjustments until their plan is formally renewed through the OSDS. Providing adjustments to students without an official adjustment plan issued through the OSDS is not appropriate and can put the University at significant risk. Moreover, it takes approximately three (3) to five (5) business days to process a student’s renewal request, which is why the OSDS provides reminders with ample notice to ensure students are prepared for their first day of class/exam. Therefore, should a student report they require an unofficial adjustment due to the OSDS not processing their renewal request “fast enough”, please know the OSDS not only sends reminders well before classes begin, but also works quickly to process requests.
I am acutely aware of how much the various required adjustments impact how you think about structuring in-class assignments, assessments, and exercises. As faculty, we often look for ways to solve problems or improve learning outcomes while attending to student success, equity, and curricular goals. It is natural to want to brainstorm with our students to further understand any issues at hand and to seek ideal solutions. When I teach, I have to remind myself that as a faculty member, I should not be asking students about their disability nor try to negotiate with a student concerning an adjustment. Any questions regarding how an adjustment was determined, whether it is reasonable, or how it might be altered to fit pedagogical needs, should be directed to Evelyn Lester, PhD (elester@colgate.edu), director of the Office of Student Disability Services.
Meeting the needs of our students is not just the law, it is also part of our commitment to the broader ideals of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. I know all of you are working so very hard and thank you so much for your commitment to our students and their education.
Sincerely,
Douglas N. Johnson, PhD (he, him, his)
Dean of Academic and Curricular Affairs
William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences