Process Change Starting Fall 2021:
Starting Fall 2021, the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS) has a new process for sending accommodation letters. The process puts more ownership on the student. We have an updated syllabus statement to reflect this change.
OARS Process Change Impacts
- Ownership of sending letters
- Timing of Letters
- Communication of Intent to Utilize Accommodations
| Prior to Fall 2021 | Starting Fall 2021 |
1) Who is responsible for sending accommodation letters | OARS sent accommodation letters on behalf of the student. OARS sent the letter with all of the student’s eligible accommodations. | The student is now responsible for logging in to their AIM portal to request their letters to be sent. The student has ownership over which accommodations they would like to request to utilize for each class. |
2) When accommodation letters are sent | 2-3 weeks before the start of term or as a new student registered with OARS during the term. | Varies. Student is encouraged to send the letter 2-3 weeks before the course begins. It may be earlier or later as the student now has ownership. |
3) What accommodation letter is communicating | Letter communicated that the student is registered with OARS and their eligible accommodations. Initiated conversation for students to then state their intent to use accommodations. OARS recommended the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course, as accommodation cannot modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. Consultation with OARS may be necessary to clarify reasonable accommodations based on the course. | The student is communicating their intent to use accommodations by requesting their letter to be sent and selecting eligible accommodations. OARS recommends the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course. Accommodation cannot modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. Consultation with OARS may be necessary to clarify reasonable accommodations based on the course. |
Accessibility Statement for Syllabi:
Bethel University is committed to accessibility for students with disabilities and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS) is a resource to ensure students experience access. The instructor will provide accommodations after the student initiates the process.
- Students with a documented disability may contact OARS to learn more about how to register for accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are approved after an interactive process with the student and OARS.
- Students registered with OARS are responsible for logging in to their AIM Accessibility Accommodation portal (via MyBethel) each term to request their Faculty Notification Letter of Accommodations. Accommodations cannot be applied prior to the faculty’s receipt of the letter.
OARS recommends the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course. Accommodations cannot modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. Consultation with OARS may be necessary to clarify reasonable accommodations based on the course. If there are any questions or concerns, connect with OARS at accessibility-services@bethel.edu or 651.638.6833.