Scope

All students enrolled on the IU Bloomington campus and those admitted to undergraduate and graduate programs at IUB who have yet to matriculate.

Back to top

Policy Statement

Indiana University Bloomington is committed to excellence and innovation, a diversity of community and ideas, respect for the dignity of others, and engagement in the economic, civic, cultural and social development of our state, our nation, and our world. This policy seeks to mitigate adverse effects on the academic activities of students at IUB, irrespective of citizenship, that arise from actions of the U.S. or other governments that prevent IUB students from completing coursework, conducting research activities, performing teaching responsibilities, or fulfilling the requirements of established and accredited academic programs.

It is the policy of IUB that instructors and academic advisors, department chairs and deans, in concert with the Offices for the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, shall make all reasonable accommodations to alleviate any substantive negative impact on progress toward fulfilling the requirements of established and accredited academic programs of IUB students who are directly affected by such

General Comment
IUB students who have been prevented from fulfilling a course requirement, making progress toward their program completion, advancing their research, or performing their teaching responsibilities by government actions may seek accommodations to mitigate substantive adverse effects.

It is anticipated that the individual circumstances that are covered by this policy will vary, including how communications are made, whether directly by the student, by other individuals acting on their behalf, or through the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. Standard procedures center on written requests for accommodations specifically explaining both the particular circumstances and academic consequences but the policy recognizes that there will be exceptions to this nor

Back to top

Procedures

Undergraduate students should follow usual procedures for requesting accommodations within their department or unit, which may include petitioning an instructor when their ability to complete specific coursework has been affected, and/or consulting with the academic advisor within their major if their progress toward fulfilling requirements of their program has been disrupted. When requests relate to coursework the student must be given the opportunity to complete appropriate alternate work or a different assignment that is intrinsically no more difficult than the original task that they could not complete. If agreement on a reasonable accommodation cannot be reached the matter should be referred to department chairs and deans within the unit.

If there is no consensus after these discussions, the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs (VPFAA) or the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) may be asked to mediate in determining the nature of the accommodation by conferring with all parties (student, instructor, academic advisor, department chair, dean) involved. If no consensus is reached the VPFAA and VPUE will make a collective determination on the accommodation. Any party involved in the request for accommodation may appeal the decision of the VPFAA and VPUE to the Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President who has final authority in determining the outcome.

Procedures for Graduate Students
Graduate students should follow usual procedures for requesting accommodations within their department or unit, which may include petitioning an instructor when their ability to complete specific coursework has been affected, and/or the Director of Graduate Studies (or equivalent) within their Department or Unit if their research activities or progress toward fulfilling academic requirements in a timely manner has been disrupted, or if they have been prevented from performing their teaching or research responsibilities as student academic appointees. When requests relate to coursework the student must be given the opportunity to complete appropriate alternate work or a different assignment that is intrinsically no more difficult than the original task that they could not complete. If agreement on a reasonable accommodation cannot be reached the matter should be referred to department chairs and deans within the Unit.

In instances where a request relates to research activities or factors that affect students’ progress toward their academic program it is the responsibility of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS, or equivalent) within the student’s Department or Unit to discuss a reasonable accommodation with the student and their research advisor. Generally, the student must be given additional time to revise their research plans or fulfill the requirements for their program, which may include consideration of an extension of financial support as an AI or RA and necessitate consultations with department chairs and deans when appropriate.

If there is no consensus after these discussions, the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs (VPFAA) or the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE), may be asked to mediate in determining the nature of the accommodation by conferring with all parties involved (e.g., student, instructor, research advisor, DGS, department chair, dean). If no consensus is reached the VPFAA and VPGE will make a collective determination on the accommodation. Any party involved in the request for accommodation may appeal the decision of the VPFAA and VPGE to the Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President who has final authority in determining the outcome.

Back to top

History

Approved: BFC 02/21/2017

Back to top