Academic Accommodations

Students with a qualifying, documented disability are entitled, by law, to have necessary and reasonable academic accommodations provided by the college, so long as those accommodations do not lower academic standards, substantially alter a program or a course's essential requirements, pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or place undue financial hardship on the institution.

It is important to understand that accommodations do not guarantee academic success, nor do they provide an advantage to a student. They serve to "level the playing field" and provide equal access to the College's programs and activities.

There is no general accommodation plan that is appropriate for all students or for a particular disability. Students may require different accommodations in different courses. The most appropriate plan provides equal access coupled with consideration of the disability and documentation, student preferences, program and faculty requirements for a particular course, and applicable laws.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

Test-taking modifications
Special classroom seating
Note-taking assistance
Print materials in alternative formats
Auxiliary aids, such as calculators, word processors, specialized computer software or hardware

Notice of requested accommodations must be provided to the Baker Center and to faculty members a reasonable period of time in advance of need.

To receive accommodations, students must:

Identify the disability. Students may self-identify at any time. Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access & Equity Services, is the designated campus contact for students with disabilities. If identification is made to another staff or faculty member, he or she should notify the coordinator and advise the student to contact the coordinator.

Provide the Coordinator of Access and Equity Services with current, appropriate documentation of the disability by a qualified professional. Guidelines for documentation are available in the Baker Center for Learning. In addition to individual requirements for a specific disability, all documentation must identify the nature of the disability, how the disability will limit participation in course, programs, services, employment, or activities, and the need for specific accommodations. Secondary school Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are not sufficient by themselves as documentation at the postsecondary level. Depending on the information contained, an IEP may provide a portion of the necessary documentation and may serve to identify previously utilized accommodations.

Work with Baker Center for Learning staff and classroom faculty to develop an appropriate and reasonable plan for accommodations. Each semester, following a meeting with an appropriate BCL staff member, students will be given copies of a memorandum of academic accommodations identifying recommended accommodations. Students are responsible for providing a copy of the memo to the instructor of each course in which he or she plans to use any accommodations.

The college encourages students to meet with faculty members early in the semester during office hours to discuss specific needs and method(s) for accommodation of those needs within a particular course.

The need for accommodation is not negotiable, but there may be alternate ways to accommodate a particular need. If a student and faculty member are unable to agree on the method of accommodation, consult with Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access & Equity Services. The college is committed to providing all reasonable accommodation for students while maintaining academic standards of excellence.

If a faculty member believes that an accommodation will substantially alter the fundamental objectives of a course or program, he or she should immediately consult with Carolyn Boone.

The Baker Center for Learning maintains a variety of adaptive equipment and specialized software for student use, including WindowEyes screenreaders, Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Premier Accessibility Suite, AlphaSmart Pro keyboards, Inspiration, and other software.

Students with disabilities have the right to:

full and equal access to and the opportunity to participate in all programs, services, and activities of TC3;
be evaluated based on ability, not disability;
reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments
appropriate auxiliary aids and services determined on a case-by-case basis;
privacy and to not have confidential information released without consent except as permitted or required by law;
information and course materials readily available in accessible formats.

Students with disabilities have the responsibility to:

meet college, course, and program qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for academic standing, courses, programs, services, employment, and activities;
Identify their disability, in a timely manner, to Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access and Equity Services, when an accommodation is desired and to seek information, counsel, and assistance as needed;
provide, in a timely manner, current, relevant, appropriate documentation from a qualified professional;
follow published procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services;
abide by the Student Code of Conduct in the same manner as all students.

Security and Emergency Procedures

All medical and emergency problems that occur on campus are handled by the Campus Security Office. If a student has a disability that may result in a medical emergency or the perception of one, or if the student will require assistance in the event of emergency evacuation, he/she should notify the Security Office, Room 118, Extension 4290. Additional information is available in a brochure entitled "Emergency Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities".

For additional information contact

Carolyn Boone
Coordinator of Access and Equity Services
607.844.8222, Ext. 4283
E-mail Carolyn

Marilyn Webb
Coordinator of Accommodation Services
607.844.8222, Ext. 4416
E-mail Marilyn

Kathryn B. Wunderlich
ADA/504 Compliance Officer
607.844.8222, Ext. 4375
E-mail Kathryn

Ruth Henneman
Affirmative Action Officer
607.844.8222, Ext. 4251
E-mail Ruth

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a grievance under the college's student grievance policy or you may file a complaint with the college's affirmative action officer.

Tompkins Cortland Community College

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	Transitioning Policies and Procedures Documentation Guidelines Academic Accommodations Adaptive Technology Emergency Evacuation Financial Aid Instructor Resources For further information, or to identify a disability, students should contact: Carolyn L. Boone Coordinator of Access and Equity Services Room 130 607.844.8222, Ext. 4283 E-mail Carolyn Baker Center for Learning 607.844.8222, Ext. 4415 Fax: 607.844.6549 Room 130	Academic Accommodations Students with a qualifying, documented disability are entitled, by law, to have necessary and reasonable academic accommodations provided by the college, so long as those accommodations do not lower academic standards, substantially alter a program or a course's essential requirements, pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or place undue financial hardship on the institution. It is important to understand that accommodations do not guarantee academic success, nor do they provide an advantage to a student. They serve to "level the playing field" and provide equal access to the College's programs and activities. There is no general accommodation plan that is appropriate for all students or for a particular disability. Students may require different accommodations in different courses. The most appropriate plan provides equal access coupled with consideration of the disability and documentation, student preferences, program and faculty requirements for a particular course, and applicable laws. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: Test-taking modifications Special classroom seating Note-taking assistance Print materials in alternative formats Auxiliary aids, such as calculators, word processors, specialized computer software or hardware Notice of requested accommodations must be provided to the Baker Center and to faculty members a reasonable period of time in advance of need. To receive accommodations, students must: Identify the disability. Students may self-identify at any time. Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access & Equity Services, is the designated campus contact for students with disabilities. If identification is made to another staff or faculty member, he or she should notify the coordinator and advise the student to contact the coordinator. Provide the Coordinator of Access and Equity Services with current, appropriate documentation of the disability by a qualified professional. Guidelines for documentation are available in the Baker Center for Learning. In addition to individual requirements for a specific disability, all documentation must identify the nature of the disability, how the disability will limit participation in course, programs, services, employment, or activities, and the need for specific accommodations. Secondary school Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are not sufficient by themselves as documentation at the postsecondary level. Depending on the information contained, an IEP may provide a portion of the necessary documentation and may serve to identify previously utilized accommodations. Work with Baker Center for Learning staff and classroom faculty to develop an appropriate and reasonable plan for accommodations. Each semester, following a meeting with an appropriate BCL staff member, students will be given copies of a memorandum of academic accommodations identifying recommended accommodations. Students are responsible for providing a copy of the memo to the instructor of each course in which he or she plans to use any accommodations. The college encourages students to meet with faculty members early in the semester during office hours to discuss specific needs and method(s) for accommodation of those needs within a particular course. The need for accommodation is not negotiable, but there may be alternate ways to accommodate a particular need. If a student and faculty member are unable to agree on the method of accommodation, consult with Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access & Equity Services. The college is committed to providing all reasonable accommodation for students while maintaining academic standards of excellence. If a faculty member believes that an accommodation will substantially alter the fundamental objectives of a course or program, he or she should immediately consult with Carolyn Boone. The Baker Center for Learning maintains a variety of adaptive equipment and specialized software for student use, including WindowEyes screenreaders, Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Premier Accessibility Suite, AlphaSmart Pro keyboards, Inspiration, and other software. Students with disabilities have the right to: full and equal access to and the opportunity to participate in all programs, services, and activities of TC3; be evaluated based on ability, not disability; reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments appropriate auxiliary aids and services determined on a case-by-case basis; privacy and to not have confidential information released without consent except as permitted or required by law; information and course materials readily available in accessible formats. Students with disabilities have the responsibility to: meet college, course, and program qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for academic standing, courses, programs, services, employment, and activities; Identify their disability, in a timely manner, to Carolyn Boone, Coordinator of Access and Equity Services, when an accommodation is desired and to seek information, counsel, and assistance as needed; provide, in a timely manner, current, relevant, appropriate documentation from a qualified professional; follow published procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services; abide by the Student Code of Conduct in the same manner as all students. Security and Emergency Procedures All medical and emergency problems that occur on campus are handled by the Campus Security Office. If a student has a disability that may result in a medical emergency or the perception of one, or if the student will require assistance in the event of emergency evacuation, he/she should notify the Security Office, Room 118, Extension 4290. Additional information is available in a brochure entitled "Emergency Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities". For additional information contact Carolyn Boone Coordinator of Access and Equity Services 607.844.8222, Ext. 4283 E-mail Carolyn Marilyn Webb Coordinator of Accommodation Services 607.844.8222, Ext. 4416 E-mail Marilyn Kathryn B. Wunderlich ADA/504 Compliance Officer 607.844.8222, Ext. 4375 E-mail Kathryn Ruth Henneman Affirmative Action Officer 607.844.8222, Ext. 4251 E-mail Ruth If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a grievance under the college's student grievance policy or you may file a complaint with the college's affirmative action officer.
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