Student Accommodation Appeal Procedure

The student should first discuss the problem with the Director of the ARA Office, Dr. Shawn Wilson, swilson@svsu.edu. 

If the situation cannot be resolved informally or if the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, an appeal may be filed, in writing, to the ADA Coordinator. The appeal may be brief but must be specific in identifying the problematic situation, the parties involved and possible solutions.

ADA Coordinator

Corrie piotrowski

(989) 964-2253

A review of the situation will typically commence within three working days. The ADA Coordinator or designee will appoint an investigator(s) to review the complaint.

A full report will be filed by the investigator(s) with the ADA Coordinator.

The ADA Coordinator will render a decision within three working days of receipt of the report and notify the student in writing.

At any time students may contact the Office of Civil Rights to seek assistance.

Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
600 Superior Avenue, East
Bank One Center, Suite 750
Cleveland, Ohio 44111-2611
(216) 522-4970
FAX: (216) 522-2573

If a complaint is brought by a student regarding the denial of an accommodation for an ongoing class, then the decision of the ARA to provide or deny said accommodation shall be implemented until such time as a formal resolution is achieved.

Faculty issues with decisions regarding accommodation of students with disabilities should be referred to the Director of Accessibility Resources and Accommodations.

1. SVSU students must self-identify and register with Accessibility Resources and Accommodations (ARA) as a student with a documented disability. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their requests in a timely manner to ensure that ARA is able to develop the accommodations through an interactive process prior to the add drop date.
2. ARA will review the student’s requests for accommodation and make decisions regarding the student’s accommodations individually and on a case-by-case basis. ARA will issue Accommodation Letter to the student, which must then be provided, by the student, to the faculty member for review as part of the interactive process.
3. Once the accommodations have been documented in the Accommodation Letter, as soon as practicable, and ideally prior to or during the first week of class, the student must provide their Accommodation Letter to their faculty member(s). It is the sole responsibility of the student to provide their Accommodation Letter to the faculty member.
4. Each faculty member must work directly with the student to plan for the accommodation.
5. If a faculty member determines that an accommodation proposed in the Accommodation Letter, based on an assessment that the accommodation would constitute a fundamental alteration or undue administrative and financial burden, they must inform the student, the relevant department chair, the relevant college dean, and ARA, in writing that the proposed accommodation may pose a fundamental alteration or undue administrative and financial burden.
6. The determination that a proposed accommodation may pose a fundamental alteration or undue administrative and financial burden may trigger a “Consultation.” The student, the faculty member (teaching the course in question), the department chair, the college dean, the provost, or an ARA staff member may call for the Consultation. 
7. The Consultation will be made with a group of individuals which shall include ARA staff; pertinent staff or faculty, who are trained, experienced, and/or knowledgeable about the course or program in question (the assigned faculty member may not be excluded from the consultation unless they opt out of taking part); and may include academic administrators such as a department chair or program coordinator, when appropriate.
8. The Consultation deliberation will include a review of the specific student’s requests and needs, program/course requirements and available options and alternatives. The Consultation deliberation will result in a finding as to whether providing the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the course or academic program in question or pose an undue financial and administrative burden. This decision will be made, and the student notified in writing by ARA, with members of the Consultation copied, in a timely manner to ensure that the student will have sufficient time to obtain alternative accommodations.The thoughtful Group deliberation will include a review of the specific student’s requests and needs, program/course requirements and available options and alternatives, the University makes an academic determination that granting the requested accommodation would lower essential academic standards, fundamentally or substantially modify the course or academic program in question, constitute the provision of personal services, pose an undue burden for the University, or is otherwise not required by Section 504 or Title II.
9. The student will be provided an opportunity to discuss the Consultation’s decision with their assigned professor. If they have any further questions, they may ask the Consultation to reconvene and discuss the decision with them at length.