Faculty and Staff Resources

Important Guidelines for Instructors

In collaboration with Student Accessibility Services, instructors play a key role in facilitating academic accommodations so that students with disabilities can engage with course material and equitably demonstrate knowledge.  The goal of accommodations is to create equitable access, which occurs when disabled individuals are able to: 

• fully engage and participate in the same activities, campus services, benefits and experiences offered to a person without a disability. 
• utilize the same information shared with everyone.
• have the same opportunity to achieve.

Facilitating accommodations makes the environment more accessible so the above can occur. 

Instructor Responsibilities

Instructors have the responsibility to ensure full access for students with disabilities by implementing accommodations as outlined in the student accommodation notification email. 

Syllabus Statement 

Every St. Lawrence University syllabus should include a statement encouraging students with disabilities to make their needs known to the instructor early in the term and to inform students that SAS is a source of support. A statement on the syllabus along with a verbal announcement at the beginning of the term also helps the university to fulfill part of its obligation to make sure that students are aware of the available support and opportunity to request disability-related accommodations from the institution. This also provides an opportunity to foster a welcoming environment for all students and to acknowledge the range of diversity in the classroom.

The following are sample statements are available to use for your syllabi.

Access and Accommodations
St. Lawrence and I are dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments for all students and welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) assists students with disabilities in reducing campus-wide and classroom-related barriers. If you have or think you have a disability and experience academic barriers, please contact SAS to discuss appropriate accommodations or support. Visit Fox Hall or Student Accessibility Services  for more information. You can contact SAS at (315) 229-5537 or via email at studentaccessibility@stlawu.edu. 

OR

Student Accessibility Services (SAS): It is the policy and practice of St. Lawrence University to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.  If you have established permanent accommodations with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)  in the past and want to use them in your current courses, please activate your accommodations so you can discuss with your professors how they will be implemented. If you do not yet have services through SAS but have a disability or temporary health condition that requires accommodations, please contact SAS in Fox Hall or by visiting Student Accessibility Services for more information. You can contact SAS at (315) 229-5537 or via email at studentaccessibility@stlawu.edu. 

What is a reasonable accommodation?  

A range of accommodations may be appropriate for specific student situations. A reasonable accommodation should not result in the lowering of academic standards or an alteration of the fundamental nature of a course or program.  While instructors and academic departments play a key role in understanding and articulating the essential requirements of courses and programs, it is never appropriate to deny a requested accommodation without documented consultation with SAS. A denial should only be made after careful consideration by qualified professionals who are knowledgeable about disability and specific legal implications. If you have concerns regarding the appropriateness of an accommodation, make sure to consult with Student Accessibility Services. 

Notification Emails

Notification emails from Student Accessibility Services outline the accommodations instructors are legally required to provide for a specific student. These notices do not disclose the nature of the student’s disability but may include general or class-specific guidance. All information in the notifications is confidential and should only be shared with course instructors or facilitators.

Please read each notification carefully, as some accommodations may require immediate action. Students and instructors are encouraged to communicate directly to determine the best way to implement accommodations in each course. 

Students initiate notification emails through SAS, and they are sent directly from the SAS email address. While these notifications can be sent at any time during the term, we recognize that receiving notifications late in the term can present logistical challenges. We encourage instructors to reach out to SAS with any concerns or questions.  

Confidentiality

Any information related to a student’s connection to SAS and their accommodations is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and must remain confidential. It’s important to be aware that students’ disability status and accommodations are not noted anywhere within their academic record. Information regarding students’ accommodations should only be shared with individuals who have an educational need-to-know, such as an assistant who is helping to proctor exams.

All conversations regarding accommodations should take place in a private setting, such as during office hours, in a schedule appointment, or via email. While some students may choose to speak with you before or after class, always follow their lead and never initiate conversations about accommodations or disability status in public. Maintain confidentiality between students with SAS accommodations. For example, when emailing multiple students about accommodations, use bcc to protect their privacy. 

You should not ask students about the nature of their disability. However, you are encouraged to discuss how accommodations have worked well in the past and explore ways to best support their access to your course.

Receiving an Accommodation Notification Email

You have the responsibility in implementing accommodations in a reasonable and timely manner. Any concerns or questions that you have should be addressed immediately to the student, or by consulting with SAS staff and leadership. The notification will be emailed to you and it describes accommodations that are reasonable based on the student’s specific situation and legal mandates. Many accommodations may not require a discussion between instructors and students; however, if there are logistical considerations, students and instructors should discuss how the approved accommodations will be implemented in each class. Instructors should not inquire into the nature of a student’s disability, but should instead focus on the specific access needs and accommodations. Please refer students back to SAS  if they request accommodations beyond what are listed in the notification.

If a student does not provide you with an email notification

If a student requests an accommodation based on disability, but does not provide you with an email notification from SAS or just mentions that they experience a disability, please refer them to the Student Accessibility Services. SAS is not able to assist students for whom English is a second language or who may be facing difficult life circumstances unrelated to a disability.

If you have a question about the appropriateness of an accommodation

Questions about the appropriateness of accommodations and student requests should be directed to SAS. 

If a disability is suspected

Many students come to SAS based on a referral from a professor. If the student mentions specific academic concerns, such as needing more time for exams or challenges with concentration, let them know about SAS and our resources. If you are unsure if SAS is the right place, you can also mention Academic Support or Health & Counseling Services or other options based on circumstance.

When referring to SAS, we recommend saying something along the lines of “SAS will determine if any accommodations are reasonable for you.” It is critical to not promise upfront that you will facilitate certain accommodations upon SAS approval. Many students who come to SAS do not have disabilities or they request accommodations that are not reasonable to their situation. Advance promises can create significant problems.

The decision to self-identify to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and to utilize accommodations rests entirely with the student and cannot be required. However, in order to receive accommodations approved through SAS, the student must disclose their need and complete the appropriate interactive process through SAS.

Shared Responsibilities

The implementation of accommodations involves the student, their professor(s), and Student Accessibility Services working together to ensure equitable access. 

Students requesting specific accommodations are expected to notify professors as early as possible during the term or in advance of when the accommodation is needed. Students can receive accommodations at any point in the semester. However, for some accommodations, it may not be reasonable for it to be applied right away since time may be needed to implement. 

Faculty do not have an obligation to offer make up exams or provide retroactive accommodations to students who have delayed notification to you. It is important to encourage students who encounter barriers in your class to contact you or SAS as soon as possible so that you and the student can discuss options. 

Examples of Shared Responsibilities 

Initial Steps and Notifications

1. Student establishes disability and need for accommodations with SAS through the interactive process.  
2. Student requests their email notification letter be sent to their professor(s). 
3. SAS sends email notifications of accommodations to professor(s) and student.

Testing Accommodations

Students may request exam accommodations due to documented disabilities. While it's best for students to take exams with the professor, SAS can assist with logistical challenges. Common accommodations include extended time (never unlimited time), alternate sites, and the use of a computer.

Exams are proctored at Fox Hall. Students must leave personal items and electronics next to the proctor’s desk, and only materials allowed by the instructor can be in the testing room. All students are monitored for academic integrity.

Once a student signs up for the exam, the instructor will receive a link to upload the exam and fill out the proctoring instructions. The following link can be used if none of the students signed up for the exam Faculty Exam Proctoring Form.

Notetaking Accommodations

The student and instructor should communicate about how their specific notetaking accommodations can most effectively be facilitated in each class. Instructor responsibilities vary depending on the type of notetaking accommodation.

Accommodation email notifications will specify what type of notetaking accommodations need to be implemented by faculty and/or SAS. If specified, professors may be required to: 

• Provide copies of notes/slides or lecture outline
• Allow recording of lectures
• Allow use of laptop to type notes
• Allow use of notetaking applications (Genio/Glean)
• Allow student to take pictures of board(s)

Students receiving notetaking support are expected to fully comply with all established guidelines. This includes attending all class sessions where notetaking services are provided and strictly prohibits sharing any recordings, notes, or slides with others. 

Flexibility with Attendance and Assignment Deadlines

Completing coursework is an important part of being a student at SLU and engaging in the academic community.  Reasonable modification to attendance and of deadlines may be appropriate for students with disabilities to provide limited flexibility to the course assignments policies on a case-by-case basis.