A transfer student with a disability joined a private, federally-funded university in Spring 2023 with 57 credits. The university updated its graduation requirements in Summer 2023, reducing the required foreign language semesters from 4 to 2. The student has a learning disability and processing disorder affecting memory and speaking, making the older requirements a hardship. He completed the 2 semesters under the new requirements but struggles with the idea of 4. Administrators gave conflicting advice, suggesting he follows the old rules unless formally requesting an accommodation. Could the student use the ADA to ask to follow the new requirements as a reasonable accommodation?
I think the student should definitely make a formal request through the disability office. A detailed letter explaining the issue could help.
Finley said:
I think the student should definitely make a formal request through the disability office. A detailed letter explaining the issue could help.
Agreed. A psychologist’s report showing how the disability impacts learning would make the case stronger.
Finley said:
I think the student should definitely make a formal request through the disability office. A detailed letter explaining the issue could help.
What exactly is a formal request? Just an email, or does it need to be something else?
@Rowe
A formal request is a written document sent to the dean or the disability office. It needs to outline the disability, challenges, and requested accommodation.
@Rowe
Yeah, like a clear letter explaining why the accommodation is necessary. Include any medical or psychological documentation if possible.
Why would the university even argue over this? The new requirements are already in place. Seems like it should be simple.
Dani said:
Why would the university even argue over this? The new requirements are already in place. Seems like it should be simple.
Probably because he started before the change. They might see it as retroactive.
Dani said:
Why would the university even argue over this? The new requirements are already in place. Seems like it should be simple.
But if other students can follow the new rules, why not him? Doesn’t seem fair.
@Lennon
Exactly. ADA should protect him here if the old requirements are a significant barrier due to his disability.
The dean of academic affairs seems like the right person to escalate this to. They can give a clear decision.
Emerson said:
The dean of academic affairs seems like the right person to escalate this to. They can give a clear decision.
True. And if they don’t act, he can take it higher, maybe to the university president.
Emerson said:
The dean of academic affairs seems like the right person to escalate this to. They can give a clear decision.
Yeah, but starting with the dean keeps it professional and might solve things faster.
If the disability office is behind, does that slow down these kinds of requests too? Could he still graduate on time?
Teagan said:
If the disability office is behind, does that slow down these kinds of requests too? Could he still graduate on time?
That’s a good point. Maybe he should send the request to multiple officials to speed things up.
@Arin
Yeah, like the dean and the disability office at the same time. Cover all bases.