Procedures for Requesting and Implementing Student Life Accommodations

These operating procedures support the policy on Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action (III.C.2) and pertain to the West Lafayette campus only. Refer to the policy for definitions of capitalized terms.

Effective Date: February 1, 2021

I. Introduction

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) and the departments of University Residences (UR), Purdue Dining and Culinary (PD&C) and Student Activities and Organizations (SAO) (collectively referred to as “Student Life”) work together to make decisions regarding reasonable and effective Academic Adjustments (hereafter referred to as accommodations) related to housing, dining and participation in recognized student activities/organizations for qualified students with disabilities on the Purdue West Lafayette campus. The DRC works closely with the student to determine eligibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If eligibility is established, the DRC consults with the applicable Student Life department to determine a reasonable accommodation that allows the student to obtain the same level of service as a student without a disability, without placing an undue burden on the University. The DRC will maintain all documentation and forms related to a student’s disability in a confidential file retained separately from other University student records.

Retaliation against faculty members, staff members or students for requesting an accommodation, reporting a concern regarding an accommodation, for participating or assisting in the resolution of a concern, or for enforcing these procedures is strictly prohibited.

II. Request an Accommodation

Students are responsible for identifying themselves as a person with a disability when requesting an accommodation. Students should request accommodations far enough in advance to allow the DRC and the applicable Student Life department adequate time to review the request and relevant documentation, to establish eligibility, and to determine a reasonable accommodation through an interactive process with the student. In general, students should submit their request several weeks before the semester begins or as soon as they know of their disability. Delay in requesting an accommodation does not disqualify the student from being granted an accommodation, but it may prevent the accommodation from being implemented in time for it to be effective.

To begin the process, students first must register with the DRC. Students can do this by contacting the DRC directly, or by identifying themselves in the housing portal as someone with a disability, which will trigger the student’s access to forms they will need to complete and turn in to the DRC. The DRC requires students to meet with DRC staff to document the disability they have and to identify how the disability may affect their housing, dining and/or student activity/organization experience. In most cases, students will be required to provide recent supporting documentation from a professional credentialed to diagnose the student’s particular disability. Documentation will vary depending on the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation being requested. Students who are already registered with the DRC for curricular accommodations need to notify the DRC of their request for a housing, dining or recognized student activity/organization accommodation. The DRC will determine whether any additional documentation is required to assess the accommodation request.

A DRC staff member will evaluate the information and determine whether the student is a qualified student with a disability. If the student is eligible, the DRC staff member will consult with the applicable Student Life representative to identify a reasonable accommodation. The DRC staff member will provide written notice to the student within 14 days of receipt of all requested forms and documentation from the student. If the DRC determines that a student is a qualified student with a disability, the written notice to the student will describe the approved accommodation. The DRC staff member will coordinate with the student, staff from the applicable Student Life department, and any third-party provider to facilitate effective and timely implementation of the approved accommodation(s).

Students do not need to request the same accommodation each semester or academic year. Students whose needs change must contact the DRC to request an evaluation for any changes to their approved accommodation.

III. Resolution of Student Concerns