DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Academic Accommodation Procedures for Graduate Students

Joel Lynn, Executive Director, Student Services | Jonathan Derry, Manager, Policy and Judicial AffairsLaurie Keenan, Manager, Resource Centre for Students with a Disability

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Overview

• Introduction• Academic Accommodation and Access for Students

with Disabilities Policy (AC1205)• RCSD Student Population and Graduate Students• Rationale for Creating Graduate Student Procedures• Key Issues Addressed in Draft Procedures• Discussion• Next Steps

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Policy AC1205

Academic Accommodation and Access for Students with a Disability Policy (AC1205)

• Promotes and protects the rights of students with disabilities• Aims to create a safe, respectful and supportive

environment for all university community members• Aims to make UVic as accessible as possible so

students with disabilities can participate as equal members

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Policy AC1205 (Cont.)

• Commits to providing academic accommodation up to the point of undue hardship

• Supports the operations of the RCSD to provide academic accommodation advice, guidance and support to students, faculty and staff

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Supporting Procedures

• New Academic Accommodation procedures for undergraduates were approved by Senate and implemented in 2011

• Recognition that specific Academic Accommodations procedures for graduate students also be developed. Research, drafting and planning have been ongoing for several months

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Students with Mental Health issues and students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

are the fastest growing populations of students who register

RCSD Advisors work with specific populations of students

RCSD – Student PopulationJanuary 14, 2013

999 students registeredWithin 1-2 years

> 1100 students will be registered

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Why Develop Accommodation Procedures for Graduate Students?

• Policy AC1205 does not specifically address graduate students or provide direction for resolving increasingly complex accommodation issues for graduate students

• Currently there is no formal process outlined in university procedures for graduate students or instructors to dispute academic accommodations sought or provided

• Clarification required on the roles and responsibilities in accommodation process of FGS, line faculties, RCSD, Grad Students, grad supervisors, etc

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Key Issues Addressed in Procedures

Draft procedures intend to:• provide information for individuals with disabilities

on applying to graduate programs;• set out options to encourage grad students with

disabilities to report accommodations they may need early to facilitate support for everyone involved in the accommodation process;• address confidentiality issues and highlight how

student personal information is protected;

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Key Issues Addressed in Procedures

• include the processes used including timelines and documentation requirements for requesting academic accommodation;• provide general information on academic accommodations

that may be available to graduate students;• clarify the roles/responsibilities of those involved in the

accommodation process (e.g., Grad Students, FGS, line faculties, grad supervisors, the RCSD, etc);• set out informal and formal processes to assist with

resolving issues/difficulties related to implementing an accommodation plan.

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Discussion

• Current practices

• Feedback on draft procedures???

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Next Steps

• Continue working closely with FGS, GSS and faculty on procedures• Consult with graduate students, Deans’ Council,

faculty members, Senate Committee, Academic Accommodation Advisory Committee, LTC and others• Final drafting of procedures and endorsement• Bring forward final recommended draft to Senate for

approval in Fall, 2013• Implementation planning• Training opportunities