Rhodes students who desire any type of accommodation based on a diagnosed disability should follow the steps below. All accommodation requests must be submitted to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) in a timely manner.
Step 1: Connect with SAS.
We value a collaborative process as we work with students. Schedule a time to discuss your access needs and explore possible reasonable accommodations.
Step 2: Submit the Accommodation Request Form.
Prior to your meeting, please complete the Accommodation Request Form.
Step 3: Submit current documentation.
Disability related documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability so that appropriate accommodations can be identified. Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, or institutions. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, diagnosticians, and/or information from a previous school. Below are suggested documentation elements:
1. Typed on office letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
2. State the disability or disabilities, including diagnostic codes for DSM-V or ICD-10.
3. Date of diagnosis, approximate date of onset, severity, and expected progression.
4. Describe the current impact or symptoms of the disability.
5. List current medications and side-effects.
6. List current and/or past accommodations in high school, college, and ACT/SAT.
7. Recommended accommodations for the college environment and rationale for each.
8. Name, title, and professional credentials of the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.
Contact SAS for additional documentation guidelines and/or assistance with this process.
Review Process
• All accommodation requests and supporting documentation will be reviewed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
• The accommodation determination process may take up to 14 days from the receipt of all necessary documentation; students seeking to connect with SAS for accommodations should plan accordingly. Accommodations are not provided retroactively.
• Students are encouraged to check their Rhodes email regularly, as this is the primary way that we will communicate regarding the status of a request.
Once Approved
At the beginning of each semester, students with approved academic accommodations will receive an updated course accessibility letter. Students are responsible for sharing the letter with their faculty and meeting with them to discuss accommodation provision details. Students should follow up with SAS if there are any questions or concerns.
Important Note about Degree Requirements
Students with disabilities are expected to fully meet all academic requirements for the Rhodes undergraduate liberal arts degree, as the college does not waive or modify fundamental course or program requisites. Rhodes College requires that all degree candidates demonstrate proficiency in a language (Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Classical Greek, or Biblical Hebrew) at the level of third semester (201) courses. Language course waivers and substitutions are not granted on the basis of disability, however registered students with disabilities may apply for academic accommodations in these and other courses. Students are encouraged to consult Student Accessibility Services to discuss appropriate accommodations and resources at least one semester prior to taking a modern language or literatures course.
Request for Reconsideration
If your accommodation request is denied and you wish to appeal, a letter requesting reconsideration should be sent to the Vice President of Student Life within 10 working days of the denial. Included in the letter should be a statement giving the Student Accessibility Services Director permission to release all confidential information related to your request to the Vice President of Student Life.
Faculty who question the appropriateness of a student’s approved accommodation may follow the same procedure outlined for students. An accommodation that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others, requires a substantial alteration in the manner in which a course is taught or to an essential element of the curriculum, or that creates an undue financial or administrative burden is eligible for reconsideration. Faculty may also appeal denied requests for consideration to the Vice President of Student Life—in this case, the Student Accessibility Services Director will require the student in question to sign a release form. The decision of the Vice President of Student Life will be considered final in either case.