Students

Fairmont State University is committed to creating and maintaining a community that reflects diversity and improves opportunities for all, including qualified individuals with disabilities. Fairmont State University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination.

The Office of Accessibility Services at Fairmont State University facilitates academic, housing, and dietary accommodations. This is done through an interactive process so that each students accommodations are individualized to their needs. Accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis. To qualify, the student must have a current condition that substantially limits a major life activity, and the accommodation request must be necessary and reasonable. A diagnosis or provider recommendation, in and of itself, does not automatically qualify one for accommodations.

It is the responsibility of the student to self-identify as having a qualifying disability and to seek and obtain specific accommodations, aids and services. Fairmont State University cannot assume responsibility for providing accommodations or services to students who have not identified themselves to the Office of Accessibility Services as having a qualifying disability.

To register for accessibility services, students must complete the online Accommodation Request Form and provide staff with documentation of their disability(ies) as per the Documentation Policy. Accessibility Services staff will:

• Engage in an interactive process with each student to understand how his/her/their disability intersects with the institutional environment and how accommodation(s) would reduce barriers.
• Ensure that accommodations do not fundamentally alter essential components of the course, program, activity, or experience.
• Monitor the utilization of accommodations and consult with students, faculty, and staff as needed.

The established method for informing faculty members and other identified institutional personnel of students’ rights to specific identified accommodation(s), and to determine the reasonableness of identified accommodations is as follows:

• Upon review of the request form and documentation, staff will contact the student to schedule an intake or request additional information.
• Students and Faculty are provided with letters outlining reasonable accommodations and students are required to discuss these letters with their faculty members.
• As the needs for each class may differ, the determination of applicable accommodations is a collaborative effort between students and each of their faculty.
• The student and faculty will determine how each accommodation will be implemented in the class.
• When necessary, follow-up appointments and/or referrals to other support services are scheduled.
• Should the student later decide that other accommodations are necessary for access, the student must complete a Supplemental Request through Accommodate. 
• Students must request their academic accommodations each semester via the Semester Request through Accommodate in order to receive accommodation letters for that semester.

If the student encounters any problems related to their accommodations and/or disability, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office of Accessibility Services promptly to initiate the resolution of problems. Faculty and staff are not responsible for the provision of accommodations that have not been requested in a timely manner (e.g., three (3) business days for testing accommodations).  

Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination are encouraged to file a complaint in order to resolve any disputes. Any student who asked for an accommodation that the Office of Accessibility Services has determined not to be reasonable or appropriate can file an appeal. The student should be prepared to explain why the denied accommodation is needed to address the current impacts of their disability (having received an accommodation from a previous institution or in the K-12 system is not in itself a sufficient basis).

The filing of a complaint or appeal will not subject anyone to any form of adverse action, reprimand, retaliation or otherwise negative treatment by Fairmont State University. A grievance may be filed by emailing Jessica Kropog in the Title IX Office.