Faculty FAQs

The student has been encouraged to communicate with you to implement their accommodations in an appropriate and confidential manner (e.g., email, one-to-one before or after class, during office hours, etc.). If you do not hear from the student within a week of receiving this notification, please feel free to reach out to the student or contact the DRC to assist in initiating this conversation.

Please Note: A student can register with the DRC or present their Letter of Accommodations to you at any time during the semester.

Yes. It is your responsibility to contact the DRC within three business days of receiving an accommodation letter notification and at all times prior to refusal of an identified accommodation.

If a faculty member is concerned that an accommodation fundamentally alters an essential requirement or objective of a course or academic program, the following process will be used:

1. The faculty member should complete the Fundamental Alteration Process Form within 3 business days of accessing the student’s accommodation letter.  
2. The DRC may involve campus partners as needed, such as faculty members within the academic program/course, the Chair of the academic department and other knowledgeable and trained faculty or administrators deemed appropriate in determining the reasonableness of the request, fundamental requirements of the course or program or the possible alternatives to accommodate the student. 
3. After deliberation between the applicable campus partners, the DRC informs the student, and, if needed, the faculty member, of the final decision from the group of knowledgeable college professionals engaged in the process. If the accommodation is denied or modified, the DRC will provide written explanation of the reasons why it was denied or modified and opportunities for the student to respond to the decision.

No. The standards should be the same for all students. However, some students with disabilities may exhibit their knowledge, production or other course expectations differently than their peers.

Accommodations are designed to address those differences and are meant to level the playing field, not provide an advantage over other non-disabled students.

Talk privately with the student to discuss your observations. Do not assume that the student's difficulties are a result of a disability, but if through discussion with the student, it appears appropriate to refer the student to one or more campus resources. If the student discloses that they do have a disability, suggest the student contact the DRC to explore options for accommodations.

With their permission, you may also refer a student to the DRC.