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Faculty Forms

Testing Accommodation Forms

For classes that meet in person, students who are eligible to receive special testing accommodations should present a testing accommodation packet to their instructor if they intend on using their accommodations.  However, not all students will choose to make use of their authorized testing accommodations.  The decision to use approved testing accommodations is at the discretion of the student. In the event that a blue Testing Accommodation Request Form is provided to the faculty then it will need to be filled out.  The form consists of the following:

• Instructor's name, email, support staff, and available contact method for DSS to reach if an exam question arises
• Instructor's preferred delivery method for completed exams
• Course exam/quiz dates, specific directions, and the length of the exam/quiz
• Instructor's decision to permit or not permit his/her student to test outside of regular class time
•  Date and time of the final exam

It is essential that DSS be provided with information on how each exam and/or quiz is to be administered, especially if any aides are permitted. Faculty members whose exam/quiz dates are tentative may make note of this on the blue Testing Accommodation Request Form and remind his/her student that he/she must complete an exam reservation with the DSS office preferably 7 days prior to the official exam date.

As you set up any timed online exams and/or quizzes, please be sure to adjust the time for your students who are qualified to receive extended time.  Be cautious when requiring a lockdown browser because they will not allow a student to access other computer programs that are necessary to read information on the screen. If using a lockdown browser will impact your student then please contact testingscheduler@csusm.edu for other DSS proctoring options.  Faculty who are unclear on how to assign extended time can learn more by using this resource /ats/idesign/cougarcourses/guides/quiz-additional-time/index.html  If you will need further assistance then please email IITs at: cchelp@csusm.edu 

If faculty have any questions or concerns regarding testing accommodations then please email us at testingscheduler@csusm.edu.

Tape Recording/Transcript Services Contract

Students who are approved for tape recorded lectures or captioning services are entitled to the use of his/her accommodations. Faculty members who are concerned for the integrity of the lecture content may complete a Tape Recording/Transcript Services Contract with the student to protect both parties of agreement.  This could also be applied to students who are requesting access to a transcript of courses being taught using Zoom. Please keep in mind that faculty are encouraged to make transcripts available to their students for courses taught using Zoom as a matter of universal design. 

Process for Reviewing a Request for Academic Adjustment

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the CSU Policy for the Provision of Accommodations and Support Services to Students with Disabilities, we must provide reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments to students with disabilities who make requests for such accommodations and services. However, according to federal law and CSU policy, campuses are not required to take any action that would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity, or that would result in undue financial or administrative burden.

Importantly, however, the Office of Civil Rights requires schools to engage in an interactive process, even when the requested accommodation appears on its face to be unreasonable or not feasible (based on the factors above), because the process may uncover an alternative accommodation or academic adjustment that both affords the student equal access and does not fundamentally alter the academic program. Below you will find a process that must be followed when a student makes a request for an accommodation or course adjustment that could result in a fundamental alteration.

Interactive Consultation

• When a student requests an accommodation that you suspect may result in a significant change to your course, first contact Disability Support Services (DSS) rather than telling the student no or even yes.
• A DSS counselor will begin the interactive process by consulting with you and the student in regard to the requested accommodation. In addition, other appropriate persons may be involved in this interactive discussion including, without limitation, your Program Chair, Dean of the College, another Dean, etc.

Analysis of the Impact of the Requested Accommodation on the Course or Program of Study

• The DSS counselor, assigned course instructor, and other appropriate participant(s) will review the course syllabus in detail. This is necessary to determine the essential elements of the course, core outcomes and the expectations that all students must meet. 
• In reviewing the course, a determination will be made about the specific knowledge, principles, skills or concepts that must be mastered or demonstrated.
• It is also important to evaluate the course to determine if the requested accommodation will impact the program of study in terms of accreditation and/or licensure requirements.

Making a Decision

• The DSS counselor, assigned course instructor, and other appropriate participant(s) will need to evaluate the reasonableness of the requested accommodation in light of the information gathered.
• If it is determined that the accommodation will result in a fundamental alteration, a follow up discussion should be had in regards to other accommodation options.
• The DSS Director (or designee) will prepare a written response to the student in consultation with the assigned course instructor, other appropriate participant(s), and campus counsel.

Informing the Student

• Either the Program Chair or the DSS Director (or their designee) will provide the student with the agreed upon response in an email or hardcopy. The correspondence will make it clear to the student that DSS will consider other accommodations should the student make future requests as well as how to appeal the decision to the ADA Appeals Officer (Dean of Students).