Reasonable Accommodations
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, job, activity, or facility that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity. An equal opportunity means an opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to a similarly situated student without a disability.
St. Olaf College is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified disabled student. To determine reasonable accommodations, Student Disability Services may seek information from appropriate college personnel regarding essential standards for courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities. Final determination of reasonable accommodations is made by Student Disability Services.
Obtaining Academic Accommodations
Students who require accommodations are responsible to initiate the recognition process and must seek assistance at Student Disability Services, in the Academic Support Center (507-786-3288), bolstadr@stolaf.edu), in a timely manner, at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes or when a disability becomes known. Official notification is considered to be visits, phone calls, email, or letters from the student, parent, transfer institution, or an interested party (e.g., Division of Vocational Rehabilitation). Untimely requests may result in delays.
A disabled student will provide complete, adequate documentation of the disability from an appropriate source before being recognized and given consideration as a student with a disability.
When documentation is submitted, Student Disability Services staff and the student will discuss the interaction of the disability and the academic environment and determine what reasonable accommodations may be appropriate. Consultation with faculty, staff and outside professionals regarding essential elements and reasonable accommodations will occur in situations that are new, complex, or sensitive. Student Disability Services will file the official documentation and ensure that all disability-related documents are kept confidential and shared with College personnel on a limited and need-to-know basis only.
Student Disability Services will supply individualized letters for faculty members certifying that the student has a disability and listing the appropriate accommodations. The letter also invites faculty to contact Student Disability Services if there are concerns or questions about the accommodations. Instructors will be expected to assist with the provision of accommodations when reasonable and necessary. They are not expected to compromise essential elements of the course or evaluation standards.
The student with the disability will be responsible for delivering the letters to appropriate faculty and are encouraged to discuss with their professors the functional limitations on each discipline.
Accommodations such as accessible classrooms, assistive technology, note-takers, interpreters, course substitutions, document conversion, priority registration, study strategies, and taped lectures will be arranged by Student Disability Services. Some accommodations such as advance notice of assignments, alternative ways of completing assignments, early syllabus, examination modifications, and time extensions will be arranged between student and faculty with Student Disability Services providing help if necessary.
Students with disabilities will be responsible for contacting Student Disability Services if reasonable accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely way. Student Disability Services will work with College personnel and the disabled student to resolve disagreements regarding recommended accommodations. Students may also register a complaint by following grievance procedures specified under "Grievances" on this web site.
Due to the uniqueness of each class, students must apply for accommodation letters each semester.
