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Grievance Policy/Procedure

Student ADA/Rehabilitation Act Grievance and Appeal Procedure

Accessibility Policy

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal access to physical, instructional and technological resources, environments, and programs to all students, staff, faculty, and guests of Augsburg University.  Equal access is required by law as well as consistent with the University’s mission, Non-Discrimination Statement, and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement. All members of the Augsburg university community share responsibility for creating accessible environments.

Grievance and Appeal Process

This is Augsburg University’s grievance procedure mandated under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Rehabilitation Act). The ADA and the Rehabilitation Act prohibit the university from excluding people from participation in its educational programs or activities based on their disability, from denying them the benefits of such programs or activities, and from discriminating against such individuals. The ADA and Rehabilitation Act also require a process for grievances relating to disability-based discrimination.

Concerns related to performance of Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS)/Disability Resources employees should be communicated to the CLASS/Disability Resources Office Director or Chief Student Success Officer.

Augsburg University encourages students to use the following processes before pursuing remedies outside the university. Students have the right to file a complaint directly with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the United States Department of Education (DOE).

1. Student appeal concerning accommodation decisions

The following appeal process applies to students who disagree with the accommodation decision made by their CLASS/Disability Resources Specialist. Students initiating this process should have already provided documentation which meets the university’s requirements.

  1. A student who wishes to appeal an accommodation decision made by their Disability Specialist is encouraged to first try to resolve the matter with their Specialist. Requests for review of a decision should be made promptly, and in any event within 60 days of the decision being made, unless the student can show good cause for the delay.
  2. If there is no resolution, the accommodation decision will have a team review by the CLASS Office/Disability Resources Specialists. Following review, the student will be sent the decision in writing through campus email.
  3. If the student wishes to appeal the team’s decision, the student files a request for review, in writing, within 7 business days, describing the nature of the dispute to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, the University’s designated Section 504 and ADA Compliance Officer: Joanne K. Reeck, reeck@augsburg.edu. The student will receive a written response through campus email within 7 business days.

The university reserves the right to implement temporary adjustments or arrangements during the appeal process.

2. Process for discrimination complaint

A student whose complaint concerns discrimination on the basis of disability or perception of disability is encouraged to use one of the following for assistance:

  1. Call, write or meet with the CLASS/Disability Resources Office Director or a CLASS/Disability Resources Specialist.
  2. Fill out a Discrimination and Bias Report on Augsburg’s Report It webpage.
  3. Call, write or meet with the Chief Inclusion Officer, the University’s designated Section 504 and ADA Compliance Officer.

University personnel will respect a student’s request for privacy but may not be able to ensure confidentiality in resolving the complaint.

3. Access Barrier Complaint Process

An individual encountering an access barrier can contact

  1. CLASS/Disability Resources Office Specialist
  2. CLASS/Disability Resources Office Director
  3. Chief Inclusion Officer, the University’s designated Section 504 and ADA Compliance Officer.
  4. Email accessibility@augsburg.edu

University personnel will respect a student’s request for privacy but may not be able to ensure confidentiality in resolving the complaint.

Filing a complaint with the Office of Civil rights (OCR)

Augsburg University encourages students to use the university procedures before pursuing remedies outside the university . Students have the right to file a complaint directly with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the United States Department of Education (DOE). Complaints can be filed by:

Mail or Facsimile: Complainants may mail or send by facsimile a letter or use the OCR’s Discrimination Complaint Form available from one of OCR’s enforcement offices.

E-mail: Complainants may file a complaint, using the following e-mail address: ocr@ed.gov. Use the same procedures as above.

Online: Complainants may file a complaint with OCR using OCR’s electronic complaint form.

Contact information

Director, CLASS/Disability Resources Office
Kathleen McGillivray
612-330-1371
mcgillik@augsburg.edu

Chief Student Success Officer
Catherine Bishop
612-330-1117
bishopc@augsburg.edu

Chief Inclusion Officer
Section 504 and ADA Compliance Officer
Joanne Reeck
612-330-1111
reeck@augsburg.edu