Accommodations, Services & Grievances

Accommodations & Services

Emmanuel University is committed to providing equal access and treatment for students with disabilities. The Disability Services/ADA Coordinator coordinates services and accommodations for students with disabilities in compliance with federal disability law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as they apply to students. Reasonable accommodations are defined as adjustments or modifications that enable a qualified individual with a documented disability to participate as fully as possible in an educational program. An adjustment or modification must be reasonable and may not be provided if it would alter essential academic or technical requirements or result in undue financial or administrative burdens.

Examples of covered conditions under this policy include, but are not limited to: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); autism spectrum disorders (ASD); chronic medical conditions (cystic fibrosis, diabetes); learning disabilities; mental health disabilities (bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder); mobility disabilities (use of wheelchair or other assistive device); neurological disorders (traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, motor or tic disorders); orthopedic disabilities (bone or muscle disorders, connective tissue disorders); and sensory disabilities (hearing, vision). In addition, Temporary Medical Conditions (TMCI) such as injuries, acute illnesses, surgeries, pregnancy and/or related medical conditions, and breastfeeding and expelling breastmilk, may not qualify as permanent disabling conditions. However, we do provide assistance to students and guidance on working with a temporary medical condition while attending Emmanuel College, and we’d be happy to meet with you to discuss your requests.

Timely Notice

While a student may submit a request for access accommodations and services at any point during their academic career, the accommodations are not applied retroactively. Therefore, we advise students to begin the registration process as early as possible. Incoming 1st year students or transfer students are advised to start the process as soon as they have been admitted to Emmanuel University. Current Emmanuel University students should contact the Disability Services/ADA Coordinator as soon as they have established a need for accommodations. A student’s failure to give timely notice may hinder Emmanuel University's ability to adequately coordinate services and provide instructors with reasonable notice of the approved accommodations.

Provisional Accommodations

Provisional accommodations may be provided for students for a specific number of working days or one semester, pending the receipt of official and complete documentation of a student’s disability or disabilities. These cases will be handled individually and at the discretion of the Disability Services/ADA Coordinator or Access Coordinator. Provisional accommodations, if approved, will be for up to one semester only pending further appropriate documentation.

Because each person’s situation is unique and documentation requirements vary by situation, the University's Disability Services/ADA Coordinator or Access Coordinator will talk to you about documentation requirements during the initial meeting. No student should delay meeting with the ADA Coordinator out of concern for not having the appropriate paperwork.

Requesting Accomodations

Changes in My Accomodation Needs

Students are entitled to request additional accommodations or academic adjustments during the course of the semester, or at any time during their tenure at Emmanuel University. Students are also entitled to request modifications to the nature of the accommodations. Students must work with the Disability Services/ADA Coordinator or Access Coordinator to determine the appropriate changes to accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services. The office should be contacted at earliest indication of emerging accommodation needs. Upon request, the Director of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator or Access Coordinator will work to coordinate and provide new accommodations or modifications to existing accommodations in a timely manner.

Grievances

At Emmanuel University, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students. We understand that, from time to time, concerns may arise, and it's important that every student knows they have a voice and a process for being heard.

What is a Student Grievance?

A student grievance is a formal complaint raised by a student who believes they have been treated unfairly or inappropriately by a faculty member, staff member, department, or university process. Common areas of concern may include:

Academic concerns
Discrimination or harassment
Housing or campus life issues
Student services

General complaints regarding university operations or policies

If you believe your rights have been violated or you've experienced an issue that needs to be addressed, we encourage you to submit your grievance so we can work together toward a resolution.

How to Submit a Grievance

Students may submit a grievance by directly contacting: Mandrake T. Miller Vice President for Student Life

mandrake.miller@ec.edu

Once your grievance is submitted, Vice President Miller will reach out to you directly to begin addressing your concerns in a timely and respectful manner.

Denial of Accomodations

Emmanuel is dedicated to meeting its obligations under the ADA, ADAAA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as meeting its own deeply rooted commitment to its students. Emmanuel University has therefore adopted an internal appeals process for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints or disagreements regarding accommodations, modifications, and/or auxiliary aids and services for courses, programs, activities, facilities, or services at Emmanuel University. When a student feels that an accommodation, modification, and/or auxiliary aid or service is not appropriate, reasonable, or effective, or the student has been denied a request for such, or an approved accommodation is not being provided/implemented, or feels that there is a lack of physical access to campus facilities or programs they can choose to report to report to the Office of Equity and Compliance –

Mr. Mandrake Miller

mandrake.miller@ec.edu

Filing with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

The availability and use of this Grievance Procedure does not prevent a student from filing a complaint of discrimination with external agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). A student may file a formal complaint with OCR if the student believes he or she has been denied a reasonable accommodation in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the ADA Amendments Acts of 2008. That office will determine whether a further investigation is warranted.

Information about how to file a complaint with OCR can be obtained from:

Atlanta Office Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education

61 Forsyth St. S.W., Suite 19T10 Atlanta, GA 30303-8927

Telephone: 404-974-9406

Facsimile: 404-974-9471

TDD: 800-877-8339

Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov

Student Grievances

Complaints Against The Institution

See guidelines below for how to resolve a grievance or complaint on campus:

How to Resolve a Student Grievance

By Executive Order from the Governor of the State of Georgia, the Georgia Non-Public Post-secondary Education Commission is designated as the state agency responsible for receiving complaints made by students enrolled in private post-secondary institutions. (Contact information: Georgia Non-Public Post-secondary Education Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place Suite 220, Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305. Office: (770) 414-3300.)

Compliance Concerns

Concerns or complaints relating to compliance or accreditation should be addressed to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033. Office: (770-679-4500).

General Complaint Form

Accommodations, Services & Grievances