ADVISING ASSISTANCE

All Southwestern Students are assigned an advisor prior to First-Year or Transfer Orientation. Usually, this individual is a faculty member. The Access and Academic Resource Coordinator can work with a student and his/her advisor to develop an appropriate degree plan. The Access and Academic Resource Coordinator is also available to work with students on advising or academic concerns related to a specific course.

ADVOCATES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Advocates for Persons with Disabilities is a group of Southwestern students, faculty and staff who are interested in educating our community about issues related to persons with disabilities. Contact The Center for Academic Success for more information or to join the group.

AUDIO BOOKS

For students with appropriate documentation and a demonstrated need, The Access and Academic Resource Coordinator will work to provide audio-texts to a student. At present, the audio-texts are provided in taped or CD format. Texts originate from both pre-recorded sources and volunteer readers.

CLASSROOM AND PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY

Any questions or concerns about building access or programmatic accommodations should be directed to The Center for Academic Success. These requests include, but are not limited to, keys to wheelchair lifts and elevators, interpreting and captioning services, classroom locations, large-print resources, parking and maps of accessible entrances.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF DISABILITY

The Center for Academic Success treats all students professionally. To this end, we respect a student's right to confidential interactions.

COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS

Course substitutions at Southwestern are rare and may occur only by petitioning and gaining the approval of the Academic Standards Committee.

DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES

In order to receive assistance, the student with a disability must provide the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator with documentation that describes the disability. General documentation guidelines are as follows:

1. Documentation must be from a qualified professional (excluding family relations) in the area of the disability (i.e. psychologist, psychiatrist and/or physician). Documentation must come from the original professional who conducted the testing. Documentation may be provided by more than one source if a team approach to treatment has been implemented.

2. Documentation must current (within three years for most disabilities) and testing must be age-appropriate.

3. Documentation must be comprehensive and provide the following:

a. A specific diagnosis based on the DSM-IV-TR or ICD-10 criteria

b. A description of functional limitations in the academic and other environments

c. A summary of current treatment and previous history with condition

d. A list and interpretation of any tests given along with the individual scores for all evaluative measures

e. Specific recommendations for accommodations with appropriate rationale

4. All accommodations and services for eligible students are determined on a case-by-case basis. The professional's recommendation for a student's college program makes an important contribution to this process but is not a guarantee of any accommodation or service.

Click here for specific documentation guidelines for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adobe PDF)

Click here for specific documentation guidelines for Learning Disabilities (Adobe PDF)

Click here for specific documentation guidelines for Psychological Disorders (Adobe PDF)

Click here for specific documentation guidelines for physical or health-related disabilities (including vision and hearing impairments.)

EXTENDED TIME/ REDUCED DISTRACTION TESTING

The Office of Academic Services maintains two testing rooms that are available to students by appointment from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday. When necessary, special arrangements may be made for Southwestern classes with evening exams.

FACILITATION WITH FACULTY AND CAMPUS DEPARTMENTS

In addition to helping individual students negotiate accommodations with faculty and departments, the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator is available for outreach and educational services to faculty, students, staff and departments on campus. These services may include educational programming, classroom resources, speaking engagements or one-on-one consultation.

IDENTIFICATION OF RESOURCES AND PROVIDERS

The Center for Academic Success will accept documentation from any qualified medical or service provider. While we do not support any particular provider, the lists below reflect professionals who have worked successfully with Southwestern or with colleges or Universities in the area.

Austin (Adobe PDF)

Dallas (Adobe PDF)

Houston (Adobe PDF)

San Antonio (Adobe PDF)

On campus, the Center for Academic Success works closely with Student Counseling Services and Student Health Services to provide comprehensive resources for students.

NOTE TAKERS AND READERS

If needed, the Center for Academic Success (CAS) can hire a fellow student to serve as a note taker or a reader. Note takers are students who are also enrolled in the class where the notes are needed. These students agree to provide copies of the notes they take for themselves to the Office of Academic Services. Copies are made available for the student to pick up Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM. Readers are available for exams or in-class assignments.

PEER MENTORING

The Center for Academic Success employs Southwestern Juniors and Seniors who are skilled in working with small groups and individual students. These mentors are available to work on general topics such as note taking, organizational skills, time-management skills, study skills and exam preparation.

PROCESS FOR RECEIVING ACCOMMODATIONS

Students requesting accommodations must meet with the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator and submit documentation of a disability as stated in our documentation guidelines. After the documentation is received, the Academic Services Coordinator will work with a student to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE

Students, who for reasons of a disability, feel that they need specific accommodations during the registration process, or who, for reasons of a disability, must schedule classes at specific times, should contact the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator prior to registration. The student and the Coordinator will meet to determine the most reasonable accommodations possible.

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS

Students who are in the process of being tested for a disability may contact the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator for temporary accommodations. Temporary Accommodations are provided at the discretion of the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator for a maximum of one semester. Students who sustain major injury during a semester may also contact the Academic Services Coordinator for assistance.

TUTORING

Individual departments offer tutoring services at Southwestern. The Center for Academic Success employees peer mentors who are available to assist with a variety of general topics. The Center staff can also assist a student in finding a tutor in a specific department.