Accommodations.

Accommodations ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to the programs, facilities, and benefits of Boston University. Only accommodations approved by Disability and Access Services are sanctioned by the University. You are not obligated to provide academic accommodations without notification of accommodations from Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips or Wellness & Communications Manager, Robyn Volcy-Lee.

• Only accommodations approved by Disability and Access Services are sanctioned by the University.
• Instructors are not obligated to provide academic accommodations without notification from Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips or Wellness & Communications Manager, Robyn Volcy-Lee about approved accommodations.
• Accommodations may be requested at any point in the semester.
• Instructors should be given a reasonable amount of time (typically 2 weeks before an exam) to arrange accommodations.
• Academic accommodations are not retroactive, they begin once the student has been approved and the instructor has been notified by Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips or Wellness & Communications Manager, Robyn Volcy-Lee.
• Students should discuss their accommodations with their instructor but are not required to disclose the nature of their disability.
• All academic accommodations must be reasonable and may not fundamentally alter the nature of our classroom or program nor lower your academic standards.
• Students are not obligated to use their approved accommodations.
• The knowledge of a disability should be treated in a confidential manner by the instructor. Identifying a student to peers or making comments about a student’s disability in class violates the student’s right to privacy.
• Practical accommodations such as Sign Language Interpreters, CART providers, and/or Assistive Listening Devices may be implemented as an accommodation prior to your having received notification from Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips or Wellness & Communications Manager, Robyn Volcy-Lee.

Students should discuss their accommodations with you but are not required to disclose the nature of their disability. Please do not ask students to disclose information regarding their disability.

• Set amount of extra time for exams
• Distraction reduced setting or exams (explore Proctoring Exams for more information)
• Exam in audio format
• Use of a four function calculator
• Permission to make up exams as medically necessary
• Peer note taker
• Sign language interpreter services
• Audio-recording class lectures
• Alternative format textbooks
• Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services
• Service animal in class
• Reduced course load
• Word processor for essay exams

If you have questions about any of these accommodations contact Disability and Access Services at 617-353-3658 or access@bu.edu.

• Extensions on homework or assignments
• Remote work
• Requests for personal services such as tutoring
• Unlimited test time
• Rescheduling exams that are too close together
• Copies of the instructors notes
• Open book exams

Extensions on homework or assignments is something granted to students by instructors. If you have any questions or concerns contact Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.

MPH students who are at risk of failing to meet the minimum grade required (B-) in the MPH core courses are eligible to use the core course tutoring program. This free program requires a referral by the core course instructor. For more information contact Assistant Director of Student Success, Rea Shqepa at 617-358-4542 or sphtutor@bu.edu.

The Public Health Writing Program and the Public Health Presentation Skills Program are available to all SPH degree candidates and include free, student-directed writing and presentation appointments with peer coaches. For more information contact Assistant Director of Student Success, Rea Shqepa at 617-358-4542 or sphcoach@bu.edu.

• Notetaker: In most cases, the student will locate a peer in the class to be their notetaker. The peer is paid $100 each semester to take clear notes, copy them, and provide them to the student. If the student is unable to locate a peer, they may ask for your assistance. More information can be found in the Faculty Resource Guide.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: Many deaf and hard of hearing students use American Sign Language interpreters, captioning or computer aided real-time transcription (CART) services. For more details review faculty and staff deaf and hard of hearing services information, contact Disability and Access Service at 617-353-3658 or access@bu.edu, or contact Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.
• Permission to Record Classes/LiveScribe Pen: Students with approval to audio record lectures as an accommodation. The student must provide their own recording device and may discuss with the best placement for the device with you. Students with this accommodation sign an enforceable Audio Recording in Class Agreement regarding use and retention of class recordings.
• If you have questions or concerns about any of these accommodations please contact Disability and Access Services at 617-353-3658 or access@bu.edu, or Assistant Dean of Students Mary Murphy-Phillips at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.

• Extended Time: Students granted this accommodation may receive additional time to complete all exams, in-class quizzes or in-class assignments. Extended time ensures that the student’s performance is reflective of their mastery of the material rather than the speed at which they perform. Instructors and students should communicate about securing a location for exams. More information can be found under the Proctoring Exams header.
• Reader or Scribe for Exams: Some students with disabilities may require exam questions to be read to them. Disability and Access Services uses a variety of computer software programs that utilize text-to-speech capability to read the exam to the student. In instances in which students cannot write or cannot use the software Disability and Access Services will provide a scribe for the exam.
• Distraction Reduced and Solo Testing Environments: This is described in detail under the Proctoring Exams header.

If you have questions or concerns about any of these accommodations please contact Disability and Access Services at 617-353-3658 or access@bu.edu, or Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.

• Refusing to provide approved accommodations
• Questioning a student’s disability status or asking about their specific diagnosis
• Inadvertently disclosing to classmates that a student has a disability
• Not communicating testing accommodations information with TAs or co-faculty who are involved with test administration
• Providing in appropriate distraction reduced testing environment
• Failing to deliver test material in a timely manner
• Not being available to answer student questions during an accommodated exam
• If you have questions about any of these accommodations contact Disability and Access Services at 617-353-3658 or access@bu.edu, or Assistant Dean of Students, Mary Murphy-Phillips at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.