Flexibility with attendance and deadline policies

Overview: Flexibility with attendance & deadlines

Class attendance and assignment policies are set by faculty or departments and not determined by the Office for Disability Equity (ODE). When the functional limitations of the disability affect students’ participation in their classes, we may recommend consideration for flexibility with attendance and deadline policies as a possible reasonable accommodation.

  • The accommodation may not fundamentally alter the essential academic components of the class. 
  • Students must demonstrate competency with the essential academic components of the class with or without the accommodation. 
  • Accommodations are designed to be reasonable and implemented at the point of request moving forward. Instructors do not need to grant retroactive accommodation requests from students. Retroactive accommodations are provided at the instructor's discretion. 
  • Students need to notify their instructors in advance and work with them to determine the maximum time that can be missed without compromising the integrity of the course.
  • In the case of requesting extended deadlines as an accommodation, students need to notify their instructor before the due date and arrange with the instructor who determines the new due date. The extended deadlines should maintain the integrity of the course.
  • Instructors determine policies about make-up work and missed quizzes and exams. The instructors have the right to hold their academic standards. The instructors are not required to lower or substantially modify essential course elements to accommodate students.

Discussion between students and instructors is essential. Students should contact their ODE consultant if any issues or concerns arise.