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  • Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

Rights:

  • Classroom Behavior: All University students must adhere to the University code of conduct regardless of whether they have a disability. Infractions of this code should be directed to the Dean of Students Office.

 
  • Challenge Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are based upon the student’s diagnostic documentation, functional limitations caused by the disability, and individual circumstances. In some situations the requested accommodations may not be appropriate for the course. A faculty member has the right to challenge an accommodation request if he/she believes the student is not qualified, the accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration of the program, or the accommodation would impose an undue administrative burden.

Responsibilities:

  • Shared Responsibility: As employees of the University who have compliance obligations under federal laws, it is the responsibility of faculty members to assume a shared responsibility in providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. The University is responsible for implementation and, as employees, faculty members are required to adhere to the policies and procedures.

 
  • Referral: If a faculty member is notified by a student that he/she has a disability or if the student brings a medical statement to the instructor, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to refer that student to the Dean of Students Office. If an instructor notices that a student is not performing up to standards and suspects there might be a disability impacting their learning, he/she may also refer the student. However, the instructor should not make assumptions about whether a disability exists, and should not discriminate against the student on the basis of any perceived disability.

 
  • Disability Accommodation Letter: Faculty should receive a letter from the Dean of Student’s Office verifying the student is eligible for accommodation(s) based on a disability. Faculty are not to provide academic adjustments unless there is a letter from the Dean of Students Office certifying the student is qualified to receive services and the nature of the accommodations. Faculty may make additional recommendations for adjustments if they believe the student will benefit.

 
  • Syllabus Statement: Each course syllabus should contain a statement to ensure that Suffolk is in compliance with the law and that students are aware of the services provided to them. For a sample syllabus statement, please click here

 
  • Confidentiality Caution:
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Students with disabilities are protected under FERPA and civil rights laws. At no time should faculty make any statements or implications that the student is any different from the general student population.
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Examples of behaviors to be avoided:
  • Do not ask the student to come to the classroom and then leave with the test in hand.

 
  • Do not place the student in the hall or any other public place to take an exam because you want to be close to them in case they have a question.

 
  • Do not ask the student for documentation other than the Disability Verification Letter from the Dean of Students Office.

 
  • Do not discuss the student’s needs or accommodations other than in a private place.

 
  • Do not use a grading standard that is any different from the rest of the class.

 
  • Do not give students with disabilities an advantage or disadvantage over the rest of the class; the idea of the law is to give equal access or equal opportunity provided through reasonable accommodations.