We want you to be successful! As Kalamazoo College is obligated to make accommodations to lessen the impact of disabilities on academic performance, you are obligated to certain actions that will assure the effectiveness of these accommodations. Acting on these responsibilities will not only facilitate current academic success, but also provide the foundation for success in post-graduate life.

Students are responsible for initiating the process to request accommodations in college.

This includes completing the Request for Accommodations form to initiate the request process. Once the Dean of Students receives your Request for Accommodations with documentation, she will reach out to you via your K College email to schedule a time to meet to talk about specific needs, possible reasonable accommodations, and campus support. This is something you need to do; your parents cannot do it for you.

Students are responsible for carrying their part in implementing the accommodation(s).

• Set up meetings with professors at the beginning of each term to discuss and arrange for the specific accommodations. You and your professors with create a plan to make sure your accommodations are implemented in a way that makes the most sense for the particular class. Accommodations are not guaranteed if you wait until the last minute. For example, if the student has an accommodation for extra time on an exam, the student must communicate with their professors at least one week in advance. This gives professors time to prepare. Students cannot just walk into the classroom at the time of the exam and expect to be accommodated.
• Ask for the accommodation(s) as specified. If something is not working, talk to the professor. If more help is needed, reach out to Dana Jansma, Dean of Students, so adjustments and/or referrals to support can be made. Do not wait until your difficulties snowball to communicate and ask for help.

Students are responsible for initiating and continuing activities that treat the symptoms of the disability (if applicable).

This might include the appropriate use of medication and initiation or continuation of counseling, or work with a medical specialist.

Students are responsible for initiating and continuing participation in activities that lessen the impact of the disability on academic performance. This could include the following (and is very helpful for all students):

• Attend all labs and class sessions unless you are sick. Communicate with your professors immediately if you need to miss a class due to illness.
• Be on time for all classes. This means be in the classroom and ready to go a few minutes before class starts, not rushing in at the last minute.
• Sit in the front of the class or other area where you can best pay attention. Participate in class discussions and ask lots of questions.
• Take advantage of professors office hours. They are here to help you and want you to be successful! The earlier in the term you ask for help, the better.
• Spend an appropriate amount of time studying and preparing for the course. This may be more than the recommended average time for Kalamazoo College students (two hours for every one hour in class).
• Use spell and grammar checks and proofreaders. The Writing Center is a very helpful resource with a staff of Writing Consultants who help students with all stages of the writing process.
• Make use of campus support systems at such as: Academic Coaching, Learning Commons resources, Academic Advising, Counseling Center, and Health Center.
• Use organizational calendars and time-management skills (Academic Coaching can help tremendously with this).
• Find study places that reduce distractions. Study with a group if you find that helpful.
• Arrange for tutors to help if you are having difficulty with a particular class (check with your professor).
• Ask for help sooner, rather than later. Do not wait until you are completely overwhelmed to seek out resources, and if you don’t know what to do or where to go, reach out to Dana Jansma, Dean of Students. We will work together to get you back on track and connected to the resources you need.

If you experience difficulties beyond the above, the College has two options by which you can report and get help:

• Grievance Procedure: Any student currently enrolled at the College who believes they have been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of disability by a College employee (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, adjunct faculty, or other agent of the College); College student; or, in certain circumstances, by a visitor to the College, may use this process to file a grievance. The grievance must be filed within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of the alleged discriminatory or harassing conduct.
• Bias Reporting: Any student currently enrolled at the College who experiences bias on campus due to disability (accommodations not honored, language and/or behaviors that demonstrate bias against the student because of, but not limited to, their actual or perceived disability), may report the incident of bias. Bias reports can be made anonymously if desired.