Student Disability Appeal Policy and Procedures

Colorado College is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression or perceived gender, pregnancy, or any other status protected under local, state or federal law. For more information on the College's prohibition of discrimination, please see the College's Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures.

Accordingly, it is Colorado College policy to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any college program or activity, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other pertinent disability-related laws.

In response to a request made by a qualified student with an appropriately documented disability, the college will arrange for the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/accommodations (e.g., extended time on exams, course substitutions, housing accommodations) and auxiliary aids and services (e.g., accessible formats of print materials, sign language interpreter) determined by the college to be necessary to afford the student the opportunity to participate fully in college programs. It is the responsibility of the Director of Accessibility Resources, who also serves as the college's ADA/504 Coordinator, to uphold the rights of a student to secure access and accommodations in accordance with Section 504, the ADA, and other pertinent disability-related laws.

Students may appeal decisions regarding the determination or provision of reasonable academic adjustments/accommodations or auxiliary aids and services. This policy and the following procedures address judgments of disability status and/or provision of accommodations. Any Colorado College student may use these procedures. Students should initiate the appeal process within 30 calendar days of the judgment they wish to appeal. These procedures are not intended to replace or duplicate existing grievance procedures under the college's Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures.

Students who feel they have not been treated in a fair or professional manner with regard to access and accommodations are encouraged to follow the procedures below. The college maintains a philosophy of student self-advocacy and the right to pursue an appeal through the formal appeal process. However, prior to initiating the formal appeal procedures set down below, it is recommended that the student make every attempt to resolve the matter in an informal manner.

Retaliation against persons who file an appeal under this policy, bring complaints of discrimination in good faith, or assist in a related investigation is prohibited.

Student Responsibilities:

  1. The student should discuss the concern(s) regarding the determination of disability status or provision of academic adjustments/accommodations or auxiliary aids and services with the appropriate instructor, department, or office representative directly, unless extenuating circumstances prohibit doing so.
  2. If a conversation with the appropriate college instructor, department, or office representative does not lead to a resolution, the student should then discuss the problem with the head of that department or office.
  3. If a meeting with the head of the department or office does not lead to a resolution, the student should discuss the concern(s) with the Director of Accessibility Resources.
  4. If the Director of Accessibility Resources is unable to assist in informally resolving the student's concern(s), the student will be referred to the formal appeal procedure.
  5. If the Director of Accessibility Resources is involved in the matter, the student should skip step 3 and discuss the concern(s) with the Senior Associate Dean for Student Equity & Inclusion (Rosalie Rodriguez, The Butler Center located in the Worner Campus Center, 719-389-6897, rrodriguez@coloradocollege.edu). If the Senior Associate Dean for Student Equity & Inclusion is unable to assist in informally resolving the student's concern(s), the student will be referred to the formal appeal procedure.
  1. Appeals of decisions regarding the determination or provision of academic adjustments/accommodations or auxiliary aids and services must be in writing. Students should initiate the appeal process within 30 calendar days of the judgment they wish to appeal.
  2. The student's written statement must include: a) a clear statement of the request or concern; b) the grounds on which the appeal is based; c) the date of any action that the student is appealing; d) the names of all Colorado College employees involved; e) a summary of the action(s) the student has taken to resolve the matter informally, if any; and f) a statement of the student's expectation of specific outcome.
  3. The written appeal must be submitted to the Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer
    or designee if the matter is academic (e.g., exam accommodations) or the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee if the appeal is related to Student Life (e.g., housing accommodations).
Academic Concerns:
Pedro de Araujo
Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer
Office of the Dean of the College
Armstrong Hall 100
Colorado College
14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-389-6687

Student Life Concerns:
Lacy Karpilo
Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students
Office of Student Life
Armstrong Hall 107
Colorado College
14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-389-6684

Upon receipt of the appeal, the Vice President/Dean of the College or designee or Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee, as appropriate, will review the appeal for timeliness and appropriateness for these appeal procedures and will provide the student with written notice acknowledging its receipt.
  1. The Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer or designee or Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee, as appropriate, will promptly initiate a campus investigation and may consult with the Director of Accessibility Resources or seek other expertise in making a final decision.
  2. The Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer or designee or Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee, as appropriate, will meet with both the complainant and respondent to provide opportunity for oral testimony and evidence.
  3. Upon completion of the investigation, the Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer or designee or Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee, as appropriate, will submit to the student, the party against whom the appeal is directed, and the Director of Accessibility Resources, a final report containing a summary of the investigation and the outcome of resolution within 45 calendar days of the initial filing or sooner if time is of the essence to the matter.
  4. The formal appeal file and the final decision shall be confidential, but the final decision shall be provided to the complainant, the respondent, and the Director of Accessibility Resources.
  5. The formal appeal file and all investigation materials shall be maintained in the office of the Dean of the College, Chief Operating Officer or designee or Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee, as appropriate, until ten years after the file was created.
  6. If the student is dissatisfied with the appeal decision, the student may file a complaint according to Colorado College's nondiscrimination policy.

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Additional Information

For additional information on appeal and grievance procedures, contact the Director of Accessibility Resources (Office of Accessibility Resources, Armstrong 219, 719-227-8285). In all appeal and grievance cases, the Director of Accessibility Resources can advise students of the various internal and external options available to them. It is the responsibility of the student to meet all conditions for filing an appeal or grievance

Report an issue - Last updated: 11/30/2023