Faculty Role and Responsibility

Faculty: Role & Responsibility

Role and Responsibility

Faculty members have an important role in the delivery of approved academic accommodations for students with disabilities.

• Promptly coordinate a private meeting with the student once the accommodation need(s) have been identified.
• Provide academic accommodations in a fair and timely manner.
• Contact the Disability Resource Center immediately if there are any concerns regarding the appropriateness of an approved academic accommodation.
• Refer any student who is requesting an academic accommodation without written approval to the Disability Resource Center. If the disability is visible, an academic accommodation is appropriate and should be provided until the necessary paperwork is processed by the DRC.

Approved Academic Accommodation Notification Procedure:

Through the Disability Resource Center, faculty will be sent a Faculty Notification Letter through secure email message. Students with disabilities will need to arrange a private meeting with the faculty member. At this meeting, students and faculty members can discuss the approved academic accommodation. Faculty should keep a copy of the form on file.

In the case of Distance Education, TN eCampus (formerly RODP), and sites and centers, the Faculty Notification Letter will be emailed to the faculty member. An alternate email address will need to be provided. In this case, the faculty member should confirm the receipt of the email with DRC. The student will still be responsible to self-identify with the faculty member and participate in any necessary communication with the faculty member regarding their approved academic accommodation.

Syllabi Notice:

Columbia State Policy No. 02-05-00, Course Syllabi, encourages faculty to use this statement in their syllabi, “In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the counseling/disability services office for possible assistance with accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability. Students requesting special accommodation are (strongly) encouraged to contact the counseling/disability services office at the beginning of the semester.”

How Do I Accommodate?

Tips for Faculty and Staff

We at the DRC are certain all Columbia State employees want their service to the campus to be accessed and enjoyed by as many people as possible. We are excited to offer helpful tips to increase access for people with disabilities. 

Be Prepared

In the classroom, the top two accommodations requested are testing accommodations and note taking.

• When planning a course or campus presentation that consists of the use of visual and/or audio material, having captioned or caption ready versions is a best practice in case a request is made.
• When planning an event, inform the presenter if any accommodations have been requested and make sure the room configuration allows for access through aisles and seating for people who use mobility devices and companion seating.
• Columbia State Policy 01-09-00 Service animals are a part of basic access. A student does not need to go through the DRC to discuss a service animal. Only dogs and miniature horses are allowable service animals. If it is not readily apparent why the person has a service animal, two questions may be asked:
  • Is the service animal required because of a disability?
  • What disability-related service has the animal been trained to provide? 
• Please remember that anything relating to a person’s disability or accommodation need is meant to be kept reasonably confidential.

Testing Procedure

Testing Services provides testing accommodations for students who have registered with the Disability Resource Center. In order for the student to receive testing accommodations, the student must:

1. Contact the Disability Resource Center (if contact has not yet been made) to get accommodations approved.
2. Meet with Testing Services to get a tour of the process.
3. Inform the instructor that they plan to use the approved accommodations. 
4. Schedule a proctored exam in AIM
5. Students should plan ahead by contacting the nearest campus if assistance with registration is needed.  Tests will be given by appointment only.

A student must arrive at the Testing Center with enough time remaining in order to complete the exam in the allotted time. 

There is no cost to administer a proctored exam for a Columbia State ADA student.

The student should contact the Testing Center for any questions regarding proctoring services.

Guidelines for Instructor

1. Once the appointment is scheduled, the instructor will receive an email from the Testing Center requesting the following information:
   1. Exam/ Test/ Quiz
   2. Password (if computer based)
2. The instructor should submit the testing contract (link is included on the accommodation notification) once student meeting has taken place. Any test materials should be sent to the Testing Center at least 3 days before the exam deadline.
3. After the test is complete, the instructor will receive an email from the Testing Center to pick up the test.
4. The instructor or designee (must be a Columbia State employee) may pick up the test upon completion and sign that the test was received. 
5. Students cannot miss class due to a scheduled exam. If the student does not have enough time during class to sit for the exam and have the extended time allotted then it is appropriate and may be necessary for the student to schedule the exam at a different time.