University Guidelines for Modifying Programs for Individual Disabled Students

A student may request a program modification if he or she can document a disability that directly impairs their ability to meet the normal requirements of the program. In general, such documentation should be provided by qualified professionals in the area of disability. These professionals should describe the specific disability in behavioral terms in relation to the specific modification sought by the student. Information required to document a specific disability will be provided to the student by the Director of Disabled Student Services.

The Faculty Committee on Program Modifications for Individual Disabled Students will consider requests to modify programs of study. The committee will consist of six members. Two standing members of the committee will be: a faculty member appointed by the Provost to serve as committee chair for a three year term, and the Director of Disabled Student Services. Rotating members of the committee will be as follows: a faculty member appointed by the Dean of the college in which the student is enrolled; a faculty member from the unit and appointed by the unit administrator of the unit in which the student requesting the program modification is enrolled; a faculty member from the unit and appointed by the unit administrator of the unit in which the course in question is located; and a faculty member with specialized background in the students’ disability appointed by the Provost.

A student must request modification in a program early enough in the student’s university career to allow the request to be processed and for arrangements to be made for the student to complete the recommended substitution or modification in a timely manner. The Faculty Committee on Program Modification for Individual Disabled Students meets three times a year, if needed, during the first week of March, July, and October, to hear requests for modification in programs. The committee responds to requests within three weeks of the date it meets. Requests for program modifications must be submitted to the Director of Disabled Student Services a minimum of one month before the committee is scheduled to meet.

In some cases, a disabled student may be required by the committee to demonstrate an effort to satisfactorily complete a course (e.g. attend classes, take examinations, write papers) before requesting a program modification. If the student fails the course, he or she may then request a program modification. If the program modification is approved by the Faculty Committee on Program Modification for Individual Disabled Students, the failing grade of the required course will be removed when the disabled student completes the approved program modification.

The committee can act upon requests for program modifications in one of the following ways:

a. Approve a specific substitution or modification of the student’s program of study. Waivers will not be considered.

b. Deny the student’s request for one of the following reasons:

1. The student has not provided appropriate documentation of the disability.

2. The course under consideration is essential to the program of study.

c. Request additional information to enable further consideration of the request.

Appeals Process

Decisions by the Faculty Committee on Program Modifications for Individual Disabled Students are final. Their execution shall be supervised by the Provost.