Request Accommodations
Rhodes students who desire accommodations based on disability should complete the following steps through the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) in a timely manner. Students are encouraged to review guidance for the types of accommodations before beginning this process.
Incoming new students may request accommodations once they receive their Rhodes College email address and credentials. Current returning students may request accommodations at any time but are encouraged to connect with SAS as soon as they become aware of a need.
STEP 1: Complete an Accommodation Request Form
- Students with new requests should complete an Accommodation Request Form using their Rhodes email address and credentials.
- Students already registered with SAS who wish to request an additional accommodation or modify existing accommodations should log in to the Student SAS Portal and complete the Additional Accommodation Request Form.
STEP 2: Submit Supporting Documentation
- After submitting an online request form, students will be invited to upload supporting documentation. For convenience, students can ask their healthcare provider to complete the SAS Provider Verification Form or submit a typed letter with this content on office letterhead. Note: The provider must (1) be a qualified professional who is licensed and properly credentialed to diagnose and treat the diagnosed condition, and (2) not be a relative or close family friend of the student.
- Students may also upload additional forms of documentation such as the most recent psychoeducational evaluation, IEP/504/high school accommodation plan, history of accommodations from a prior college, etc.
- Documentation is most beneficial when it provides specific insight into how a disability impacts academic and/or residential experiences and what is necessary for equal access. When provider recommendations are for support to enhance success, the student will be referred to other resources or given options that may address the specific need.
- Students experiencing barriers to getting evaluated for their disability or obtaining supporting documentation should contact SAS@rhodes.edu.
STEP 3: Meet with SAS
We value a collaborative process as we work with students. Once steps 1 and 2 are completed, SAS will email to schedule a meeting to discuss access needs and accommodation requests.
This meeting is a critical step toward determining eligibility and reasonable accommodations. The interactive process allows SAS to learn first-hand, from the student, what disability-related functional limitations and access barriers they are experiencing, explore potential reasonable accommodation options to address disability-related barriers, and discuss next steps and campus resources.
Accommodations are not provided retroactively.  SAS will attempt to provide a written response to accommodation requests within 14 business days from the receipt of all necessary information. Students seeking to connect with SAS for accommodations should plan accordingly.
Request for Reconsideration of an Accommodation Decision
Students have the right to seek reconsideration upon denial of an accommodation request when there is new, substantially different information that was unknown or unavailable at the time of the original decision. Requests for reconsideration should be submitted as soon as possible but no later than 30 business days after the written accommodation decision.
Below are the steps to engage in the reconsideration process with SAS.
- Complete the Request for Reconsideration of an Accommodation Decision form.
- Upload new, substantially different information that was unknown or unavailable at the time of the original accommodation decision. Documentation should explain the barrier to access and the impact on academic and/or residential environments.
- SAS will review all materials and engage with the student to discuss the request. SAS will attempt to provide a written response to reconsideration requests within 14 business days from the receipt of all necessary information.
Request to Appeal an Accommodation Decision
Students have the right to appeal an accommodation decision. Appeals must be submitted within 10 business days of the written accommodation decision. Appeals are limited to three grounds:
- The student believes the accommodation request was not appropriately reviewed in accordance with College procedures.
- The student believes the approved accommodation is not sufficient to provide equal access.
- The student disagrees with the denial of a requested accommodation.
Appeals not based on one or more of the above grounds may be dismissed without further action. Appeals with new information that was unknown or unavailable at the time of the original accommodation decision will be denied and redirected to the SAS Request for Reconsideration process.
Below are the steps to engage in the appeal process with SAS.
- Complete the Request to Appeal an Accommodation Decision form. This includes submitting a personal statement justifying ground(s) for the appeal; failure to submit this information may result in denial of the appeal.
- The Vice President of Student Life will review all materials, consult with appropriate offices as needed, and attempt to provide a written response to appeal requests within 14 business days from the receipt of all necessary information. SAS accommodation appeals may result in the original decision being upheld or modified. The decision of the Vice President of Student Life will be considered final.
Concerns about Implementation of Approved Accommodations
For concerns related to the implementation of approved accommodations or SAS, students should contact SAS@rhodes.edu and work directly with a staff member to attempt to resolve the issue informally. Many concerns can be addressed through clarification, additional discussion, or adjustments made in collaboration with the student and faculty.
The time periods for these processes may be extended by agreement of the parties, or if necessary, to accommodate the schedules of those involved or to obtain information needed to decide the request.
Contact SAS@rhodes.edu with questions.