Student FAQs

In order to receive accommodations at Rockhurst, students must be registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). All requests for accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis by a DRC Coordinator. Accommodations are individualized and determined using an interactive process between the Coordinator and the student. To begin the process, start here. 

Students can register with the DRC at any point during their academic career, but we strongly recommend that this process begin as early as possible. Students seeking academic accommodations are encouraged to complete registration prior to the start of a semester. If an incoming student is seeking accommodations related to housing, we encourage them to complete the application process before June 1. Returning students are encouraged to complete their application before February 1. Any housing accommodations requested after the deadlines may result in delays. 

Approval of accommodations is based upon a number of variables. Some reasons that may delay approval include improper documentation, possible outreach to other departments to determine the feasibility of certain accommodation requests, etc. Once a request form and documentation are received, the DRC aims to begin the interactive process within five business days. 

We do our best to provide your letter within three business days after the intake appointment with a DRC Coordinator. Accommodation letters are emailed directly to the student when they are first established. Students are responsible for providing their accommodation letter to all appropriate parties; this includes faculty. 

If you find that your accommodations are not meeting your needs, you may set up another appointment with the DRC to discuss adjustments or additions. Please be aware that supplemental documentation may be necessary before additional accommodations are approved. The DRC also makes a point to check-in via email before the start each semester to make sure students are still comfortable with their current accommodations or if they no longer wish to use them. 

In most cases, yes. If you need temporary accommodations, those are determined with a DRC Coordinator and are revisited every so often to assess the need. Certain partnerships with other schools will require communication with their Disability Services Office. We are happy to provide more information for these instances if they apply to you. 

No. Accommodations may only be used after they have been approved by a DRC Coordinator. For example, if a student is approved to have extended time on tests partway through the semester, the accommodation will not apply to the tests taken prior to the approval. Put another way, the student will not be able to retake previous tests with the accommodation. This is why we encourage students to start the interactive process as early as possible. 

In most instances, the only way people will know about your accommodations is if you inform them. Notable exceptions are as follows:

• Residence Life will be notified about accommodations including but not limited to: emotional support animals living on campus (for safety), reduced meal plans (for billing), specific room alterations (for maintenance), etc. 
• Financial Aid and the Registrar will be notified about accommodations including but not limited to: reduced registration (for scholarships), primary/early registration (for scheduling), etc.
• The Learning Resource Center will be notified about accommodations including but not limited to: extended time on testing, reduced distraction testing, etc.
• Security will be notified about accommodations including but not limited to: emotional support animals living on campus (for safety), students with disorders that may require an emergency response (for safety), etc. 

If you have questions or concerns about this process, do not hesitate to ask the DRC for more information. 

The DRC can provide time-limited assistance for a student in need of temporary services (such as a concussion, serious health complications due to pregnancy, a broken bone that affects the ability to write, etc). The type of assistance is determined on a case-by-case basis and will be dependent upon documentation. The student should contact the DRC as soon as possible to make the request. The DRC may request updated documentation to determine the duration of services.

A substantial limitation is a significant restriction or limitation to the duration, condition, or manner under which an individual can perform one or more major life activities. This is in comparison to the duration, condition, or manner under which the average person in the general population can perform the same major life activities.

A definitive list of what should be considered a "major life activity" does not currently exist under the ADA. However, some examples include: seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, breathing, writing, reading, concentrating, and communicating.

If a student has a dispute with a Rockhurst administrator, faculty member, staff member, or other employee relating to disability services, including any complaint that the student has been discriminated against because of his or her disability, the student may follow these procedures:

Students are encouraged, but not required, to make a sincere attempt to resolve the problem through discussions with the other party.

If the student is unable to resolve the problem with the other party or has opted not to make such an attempt, then the student should meet with the DRC Coordinator to discuss the problem and possible ways to resolve the problem. The student should schedule a meeting with the DRC Coordinator within 14 days of the event leading to the dispute.

If the DRC Coordinator and the student are unable to resolve the problem, the student may file a written complaint with the Dean of students. The written complaint must specify the nature of the dispute and any prior attempts to resolve the matter. The written complaint should be filed within 14 days of the meeting with the DRC Coordinator.

The Dean of students will conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, the student and the other party may be asked to identify any witnesses and to submit any other evidence they wish to be considered. The Dean of students will complete the investigation within 30 days of receiving the written complaint from the student, if practical.

If the student's dispute is with Disability Resource Center personnel, the student should file a written complaint with the Dean of students.