Academic Policies

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandate equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. An academic accommodation or modification is sometimes needed to ensure that a qualified student with a disability has an equal opportunity to access and benefit from a course or educational activity. However, academic accommodations must not compromise the college’s academic standards. At Peru State College, the academic accommodation process involves a partnership between the student, the Office of Disability Services, and the faculty member.

 

Student Responsibilities

  1. Letting instructors know they have a disability and are seeking accommodation.
  2. Following-up with instructors once accommodation request letters have been sent to be sure both parties agree on the plan for reasonable accommodation.
  3. Working with instructors and following requirements for arranging testing. accommodations in the CATS Building at least two school days ahead of requested test dates.
  4. Promptly notifying the Disability Coordinator about any barriers encountered during implementation of the plan for reasonable accommodation or dissatisfaction with services provided.
  5. Visiting with the Disability Coordinator near the end of each term to complete required paperwork for requesting accommodations for the next term.
  6. Attending classes regularly and maintaining academic standards required by the College.
  7. Abiding by the Student Code of Conduct.
  8. Meeting their educational and personal needs while enrolled at Peru State.

Office of Disability Services Responsibilities

  1. Maintaining records that verify the disability.
  2. Determining appropriate academic accommodations using the Disability Accommodation Request form.
  3. Communicating a student’s eligibility for academic accommodations, upon request.
  4. Consulting with faculty, staff, and outside professionals regarding academic accommodation requests that are unusual or complex.

Faculty Member Responsibilities

  1. Ensuring that the requested accommodation does not unduly compromise an essential element or evaluation standard of the course.
  2. Verifying that the Office of Disability Services has approved the requested accommodation.
  3. Discussing with the Office of Disability Services any concerns related to an accommodation or the arrangements that have been requested by a student with a disability.
  4. Determining the non-disability related conditions under which the exam is to be completed (e.g., open book, use of notes, calculator) when the exam is to be administered by someone other than the faculty member, and providing timely delivery of the exam along with all necessary instructions for exam administration, maintaining the confidentiality of information regarding students with disabilities. (This includes students with physical impairments, psychological impairments and students with learning disabilities).

Accommodation Appeals

In situations where the appropriateness of a proposed accommodation is unclear, the faculty member or the student may request a review of the accommodation. The review will be conducted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Office of Disability Services. The review committee will determine whether the requested accommodation is reasonable and appropriate for the student’s disability and will determine whether the proposed accommodation unduly compromises an essential element or evaluation standard of the course. Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination based on their disability may file a grievance with the Peru State College 504/ADA compliance officer, the Dean of Student Life.