Student Flexibility in Attendance and Assignment Deadlines

Guidelines

Some students have documented disabilities which include random, fluctuating, or cyclical limitations that can occasionally impact class participation, attendance, or completion of assignments or exams. Disability & Accessibility Services (DAS) determines that the accommodation is reasonable and helps facilitate conversations between students and faculty so that the accommodation does not fundamentally alter the course. This short video explains more about the importance of flexibility contracts, while this video gives some items to consider when completing the contracts. 

Contract for Accommodations Related to Flexibility in Attendance or Flexibility in Assignment Deadlines

Once students are approved for flexibility in attendance or flexibility in assignment deadlines and have requested the accommodation for a specific class, the instructor will be notified by email. The instructor will then need to complete the Contract for Accommodations Related to Flexibility in Assignment Deadlines or Contract for Accommodations Related to Flexibility in Attendance.

These contracts are intended to clearly spell out the expectations and to allow the student and instructor to have a shared understanding of the expectations. Once instructors are notified of this accommodation, they are responsible for it even if they delay in submitting the contract or the student does not contact them for conversation. Do not wait!

Process

• Once student requests accommodations for the semester, the instructor is notified of the accommodation
• The student should schedule a meeting with the instructor to discuss the specifics of these flexibility accommodations. However, if the student does not meet with the instructor, the instructor is still responsible to complete the form without student input.
• Once the instructor completes the form, the student and instructor will be emailed a PDF of the contract details.
• If either the instructor or the student has any questions or concerns about the contents of the contract they should work together to modify it and then contact DAS with the updated terms.
• The sooner this contract is completed, the clearer the expectations for both parties.

Considerations When Completing Contract

• What is the course attendance policy? What do the course description and syllabus say?
• Are there exceptions to the policy made for extenuating circumstances, such as athletic travel, religious observation, or university field trips?
• How much interaction is there between the instructor and students or among students during class sessions?
• Does the design of the course rely on student presence and participation as a significant method for learning?
• Do student contributions constitute a significant component of the learning process?
• Is there content offered only in class?
• To what degree does a student's failure to attend class or do an assignment on time compromise the educational experience of other students in the class?
• What weight is given to different components (attendance, assignments, exams, etc.) when calculating the final grade?

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• This accommodation is not a blanket reason to miss class or delay assignments.
• At no time is the student required to present instructors with medical documentation verifying his/her disability related absence for this accommodation.
• Absences that are not related to the effects of a disability are not included in this accommodation (i.e. absences due to a common illness, car trouble, etc.)
• Students are responsible for completing all class work and will be held to the same standard as all the other students.

Instructor Rights and Responsibilities

• Once instructors are notified of this accommodation, they are responsible for it even if they delay in submitting the contract. Do not wait!
• Instructors are not required to provide retroactive accommodations in cases when students register for accommodations late in the semester.
• At no time is the student required to present instructors with medical documentation verifying his/her disability related absence for this accommodation.
• If absences meet or exceed 50% of those agreed upon in the Flexibility in Attendance Contract, please inform the DAS. This will allow the DAS to assist in answering questions about accommodations from both the student and the instructor.
• Absences not related to the effects of a disability are not included in this accommodation (i.e. absences due to a common illness, car trouble, etc.) and should be addressed according to the syllabus-stated attendance/absence policy.
• Instructors are not obligated to re-teach material missed due to not attending class.
• An accommodation in attendance is not reasonable if regular attendance is essential to the course and/or curriculum.