Appeal Procedure Relating to the Provision of Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (F-34)
Original Implementation: July 14, 1998
Last Revision: October 18, 2010
Students enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University, or faculty or staff members requested to make accommodations for persons with disabilities, who disagree with the provision of accommodations or the denial of accommodations may submit an appeal to the director of disability services/ADA coordinator (director) located in disability services, Room 325 of the Human Services Building. Appeals covered under this policy may be initiated by: 1) student or faculty member, regarding the provision of academic accommodations; 2) student or staff member, regarding the provision of accommodations for non-academic programs or activities; 3) student, regarding the denial of accommodations by the director of disability services; 4) student, regarding the denial of housing accommodations by the director of housing.
Appeals of decisions of the director of disability services (number 3 above) should be submitted to the vice president for university affairs, or their designee (VPUA/D), located in Room 314 of the Austin Building. Grievances or complaints of discrimination based on disability relating to other circumstances not described above should be addressed through the university's "Discrimination Complaints/Sexual Harassment" policy, E-46, a copy of which may be obtained online, from the director of disability services/ADA coordinator or the university's general counsel.
The appeal should be written; should state the specific nature and basis of the appeal; and, should be signed and dated by the individual making the appeal. It should be provided to the director or VPUA/D in a timely manner following the decision being appealed, but not later than 180 days from the date of notification of the decision being appealed.
Within two (2) working days of receipt of the appeal, the director or VPUA/D will schedule a meeting with the chair/director of the department involved, the faculty or staff member involved, and the student. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the circumstances and, if possible, to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution.
If unresolved, the appeal will be forwarded by the director or VPUA/D to an Appeal Review Committee (Committee) for a second and final decision.
Depending upon the administrative or academic area involved in the decision being appealed, the Appeal Review Committee will be composed of three members selected by the director or VPUA/D. The director will serve as chair and ex officio member of the committee in situations listed above with the exception of number three (3) when the VPUA/D will appoint a faculty member or academic administrator with background and/or experience in disability-related matters to serve as chair. In academic appeals (number 1 above), the committee will be composed of one faculty member from the department involved; the dean of the college involved; and a member of the ADA Advisory Committee. For appeals in non-academic programs and activities and housing accommodations (numbers 2 and 4 above), the committee will be composed of: one staff member from the department involved; the director of the department involved; and a member of the ADA Advisory Committee. In appeals relating to denial of accommodations (number 3 above), the committee will be composed of one faculty member from the Department of Human Services; and two additional members knowledgeable about ADA issues. When selecting committee members, the director or VPUA/D shall exclude individuals who served on the Academic Assessment Committee or the Housing Assessment Committee that provided initial review of the documentation and/or request. The director or VPUA/D will communicate the decision and /or recommendations of the Appeal Review Committee to the individual seeking the appeal.
In all circumstances listed above, the Appeal Review Committee may seek input from appropriate parties other than committee members, including the student making the appeal, a faculty or staff member with experience relevant to the circumstances, the provost/vice president for academic affairs, dean of another college, or another director or department head with relevant experience. The Appeal Review Committee may seek advice from the university's general counsel.
It is the intent of the university that meetings related to the appeal are informal in nature to allow all parties the opportunity for reasonable input and discussion. The appeal process, including the initial meeting, the meeting of the Appeal Review Committee and communication of the final decision to the individual making the appeal should be completed with expediency, ideally within seven (7) to ten (10) working days to avoid any delay in provision of accommodations or support services.
For specific information regarding provision of academic assistance, refer to policy F-33, Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities. Refer to policy D-3, Animals on University Property, for service animal information. For general policy information, refer to policy F-16, Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities.
Cross Reference: Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (F-16); Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities (F-33); Animals on University Property (D-3)
Responsible for Implementation: Vice President for University Affairs
Contact for Revision: Director of Disability Services
Forms: None