Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations are modifications to the environment, curriculum format, or equipment used to access the content of a class and/or complete assigned tasks. They do not not alter what is being taught. These accommodations are available to qualified students through the Office of Accessibility.
Instructions for how to request academic accommodations are outlined below for both new and returning students.
Students with disabilities who have recently been admitted to Champlain College should complete the following steps to request academic accommodations.
New Student Instructions
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1. Complete the Academic Accommodations Request Form online.
Complete the Academic Accommodations Request Form online. Students admitted for August must submit this form by June 15. Students admitted for January must submit this form by December 15. You may submit this form past the deadline, if needed.
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2. Submit professional documentation of your disability.
Submit current, comprehensive, objective, professional documentation of your disability to the Office of Accessibility. The information in an IEP, 504 Plan, or Transition Plan may be appropriate documentation. Students should also include a neuropsychological evaluation report as supportive documentation (if available).
If you wish to share documentation from a medical provider, please review the following for more information: Academic Accommodations Request: Documentation. The documentation should be sent to Champlain College’s Office of Accessibility.
Note on submitting documentation: All records/documentation submitted to the Office of Accessibility are stored in a secure online platform. If you are planning to submit hard copies of your documentation, we strongly encourage you to create a digital copy to submit to ensure your documentation is safely delivered. We accept digital versions of documentation via email and fax.
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3. Students must meet with the Office of Accessibility.
A staff member will contact the student before the start of the semester to schedule an appointment to discuss the academic accommodations process, learning needs and supporting documentation, and appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations.
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4. Understand your role in self-advocating.
Students should review “Differences Between High School and College for Students with Disabilities” to understand their role in self-advocating as a college student.
Returning Student Instructions
Returning students with disabilities must contact the Office of Accessibility each semester to discuss academic accommodations for their classes. To schedule an appointment, contact the Office of Accessibility within the first two weeks of each semester. If you are a returning student who has not previously requested academic accommodations, follow the steps above.
Need to Change a Current Accommodation?
If you are a current or returning student requesting new or additional accommodations, please make an appointment to meet with a member of the Office of Accessibility.
Contact UsMaking Requests in a Timely Manner
Advanced planning is needed to ensure the timely provision of appropriate accommodations. No student will be excluded from a program due to lack of appropriate services; however, all services may not be available at all times. For this reason, it is important to allow sufficient time for a program and/or the College to put into place the needed accommodations of auxiliary services.
If a request is submitted after the deadline, we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate the request but cannot guarantee that an untimely request can be met. Ultimately, requests may result in delay, substitutions, or denial of accommodation or service.
Testing Accommodations for Students
Testing accommodations are available to qualified students through the Office of Accessibility.
Students must speak with their instructor(s) about their testing accommodations at least one week before the test date and determine if they will take the test in the classroom, or if they will take it in the quiet testing space, located in Skiff Hall. Students may also choose not to use their testing accommodation for a particular test or quiz.
Please review the information provided here to learn more about the process.
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Scheduling a Testing Time
The student is responsible for requesting a testing space no later than one week in advance of the test. The student must also inform the course instructor that they will be taking the test outside of the classroom. Please email testingaccommodations@champlain.edu to arrange for the use of the space.
In your email, please also copy your instructor and include the following information:
- Test date and time
- Class (e.g. COR 102) and instructor name
- How long does the class have to take the exam?
- Will the exam be given online? If so, where is the class expected to be during the exam?
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Testing Center Availability
The Testing Center is located at Skiff Hall, 163 South Willard Street. Students should check in at the Counseling Center, Room 100 in Skiff Hall 10 minutes before the test begins.
Tests are administered Monday through Friday beginning at 8:00 AM, with the last test given at 2:00 PM (the office closes at 4:30 PM).
Tests may be scheduled during the class time (assuming class begins by 2:30 PM), or they may be taken at another point during the day, if agreed upon by the instructor.
Final exam scheduling may require alternative testing times in order to accommodate exams that are scheduled for 3 or more hours.
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Test Preparation & Academic Honesty
The student must bring all necessary supplies (pen, pencil, paper, calculator, etc.) as required to complete the test. If allowed, a simple calculator and a computer with word processing capability only, are available. The student will be asked to leave their backpack/personal belongings, including cell phone, upon check-in and can retrieve it at check-out.
Students are prohibited from communicating with other students who are also taking a test in the quiet testing space.
Testing Information for Instructors
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First, please read the above information for students.It is the student’s responsibility to inform their instructor(s) that they will be using their testing accommodations on a test or quiz. Students may choose not to use their testing accommodation for a particular test or quiz. Extended time tests or quizzes may be administered in the classroom if a student does not require a quiet testing space, and if the instructor is willing/able to arrive early or stay late to administer the test. Otherwise the student will take the test in the quiet testing space in Skiff Hall.
Upon receiving a student request to take a test or quiz with the Office of Accessibility, instructors will be asked to complete the Testing Accommodations Instructor Form. The form should be completed no later than 4 PM the day before the scheduled test or quiz.
Additional Resources
Champlain recognizes that being able to fully participate in residential housing is a big part of the college experience. If you have needs that require special housing arrangements, we can help.
Transportation accommodations include a shuttle service to ease mobility to and from class, as well as designated parking spaces on campus for those who have a temporary or state disability placard. A Champlain parking permit is also required.
Make the most out of your Champlain experience with academic tutoring and coaching resources available through the SMART Space.
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Find answers to the accessibility-related questions we hear most often from students and families.
Find all the required information necessary to apply for accommodations and student support in the Office of Accessibility’s Student Accessibility Handbook.
Office of Accessibility
Location
95 Summit Street
Mailing Address:
375 Maple Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Office Hours
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Fax Number: (802) 860-2764