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AUP, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides in-class and exam accommodations for students with registered disabilities. These accommodations are mandated by law. The Academic Resource Center will contact faculty with necessary information to proceed with applying these accommodations throughout the duration of the semester. Every accommodation decision is an individual one made through the interactive process between AUP faculty, staff, and the student.

AUP offers a range of legally mandated accommodations to students with documented disabilities to access equal educational opportunities. The purpose of accommodations is to reduce or eliminate any disadvantages that may exist because of an individual’s disability. Accommodations do not alter learning objectives or program requirements for successful degree completion. Instead, the law mandates that institutions must modify existing requirements to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against on the basis of their disability.

Reasonable accommodations are intended to support the student’s efforts and to minimize obstacles to learning. Students are expected to meet the essential course and degree requirements. When necessary, ARC and TLC staff will consult with faculty regarding essential standards in order to determine reasonable accommodations.

Testing

If a student has a documented need for their tests to be reasonably modified so they can better access it, AUP will approve necessary accommodations. Whenever possible, testing accommodations should be administered through the professor. When this is not possible, students can request to take their tests with ARC.

Exam accommodations, which are guaranteed by AUP, include:

  • Extended time on all timed in-class tests/exams
  • Reduced distraction testing environment
  • Use of a computer for tests

If a student has the accommodation of computer access for exams/quizzes, computer access can be made available through ITS and/or ARC. Students are not allowed to use their own laptops for tests without permission from the professor.

Eligible students can decide whether they would like to use these accommodations for a given exam or not. If they would like exam accommodations, it is their responsibility to inform their professors in advance about the accommodations they wish to request. If a professor cannot personally administer the accommodations, the students must submit their needs via the online exam accommodation request form no later than 2 weeks before the exam date. The arcataup.edu (Academic Resource Center) (ARC) will then manage the submitted forms and organize the requested exam accommodations.

In Classroom

In-class accommodations are not intended to change the learning goals and objectives of a course and will be applied only when reasonable. Just like with exam accommodations, students must discuss their in-class accommodations with their professors to determine if there are any particular aspects of the course where the accommodation cannot be used due to the nature of an assignment or activity. Faculty are encouraged to use this rubric to determine in-class accommodation reasonability.

In-class accommodations can include (but are not limited to):

Universal accommodations:

  • Use of a computer for note-taking
  • Allow audio recordings
  • Allow breaks during classes/exams
  • Provide opportunities for check-ins
  • Preferential seating
  • Repetition and clarification of instructions if needed

Accommodations to be applied when possible (see the accommodation reasonability rubric):

These accommodations can be shaped and modified on a case-by-case basis to support the unique aspects of each course and the needs of the student. Below is a list of frequently requested accommodations at AUP:

  • Receiving materials in advance of the class session (e.g., in-class readings, lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, written course guidelines, other visual materials);
  • Use of a calculator, type can be specified by professor;
  • Provide pre-test study sheets if possible;
  • Provide alternative to individual presentations in front of class;
  • Consider alternative means to group projects (discuss if individual projects could be possible);
  • Use of audio books when possible;
  • If not being explicitly assessed, flexibility for spelling and/or grammatical errors;

Attendance and deadline flexibility, including absences and late arrivals.

The TLC is available to discuss pedagogical application of accommodations that address the unique needs of your course that support you and the student. Please contact Geoff Gilbert, Director of the TLC, ggilbertataup.edu for more information on how to apply accommodations in your classroom.

If You Are A Current Student

If you have a health condition, a learning difficulty or concerns about your well-being and academics, you can contact our Learning Accommodations Coordinator at rwebberataup.edu or schedule an appointment.  

If you are unsure about whether you need to register for support or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Academic Resource Center at arcataup.edu.

If You Are Applying to AUP

Selecting the right university is a major decision and may be influenced by overriding concerns about health issues, learning support or accessibility. Our admissions counselors are there to help you. They will work closely with you to explore the available options to ensure you are making an informed choice by accepting an offer to study here. 

Our admissions team would be happy to welcome you to campus and offer tours tailored to your accessibility needs. Click here to read more about visiting us. 

Learn more about admissions procedures for undergraduate or graduate students. 

You can learn about the process of setting up academic accommodations at AUP on the Documentation and Registration portion of our webpage. For any questions regarding the process of getting academic please contact Rachel Webber, the Learning Accommodations Coordinator at rwebberataup.edu, or schedule an appointment.  

Additional Support

For students with registered disabilities, or in possession of a formal diagnosis, support can take the form of: 

  • Human support (tutoring, mentoring, advising, counseling); 
  • Academic technology tools; 
  • Assistance with establishing class schedules; 
  • Advice on accessibility in Paris; 
  • Assistance in finding housing that meets your needs; 
  • Support in navigating French health care system.  

The support you receive is not limited to the above-mentioned categories. The Learning Accommodations Coordinator is glad to meet with you and offer tailored support on a case-by-case basis.  

Grievances

Students have the right to file a discrimination grievance based upon disability. AUP provides information on how to proceed if a student believes they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, or effective communication or suffered discriminatory harassment as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Students who wish to add or change an approved accommodation should initiate the request either with their cvernierataup.edu (Student Guidance Counselor) or with the arcataup.edu (ARC).

Students who have been denied an accommodation by an instructor, or had an accommodation inappropriately provided, may choose to begin by notifying Learning Accommodations Coordinator directly for assistance. If a student chooses to notify us regarding an accommodation problem we can intervene on the student’s behalf, or we can provide coaching if a student wishes to speak with the instructor directly.  ARC may also seek resolution of the concern by contacting other appropriate individuals on campus.

At any point a student may contact the University’s studentdevelopmentataup.edu (Dean of Student Development) or the kdixeyataup.edu (Director of the Academic Resource Center) directly for information regarding filing an informal or formal complaint.

To file an official grievance, please follow the steps found on the AUP grievance guidelines page here.