Procedure for Review

Procedure for Review of an Accessible Education Services Decision

Students have review and appeal rights related to the accommodation determination process. 

1. If a student feels that an accommodations decision by the Director of Accessible Education Services will not adequately address the student's disability-related barriers, the student is encouraged to first attempt to resolve the concern cooperatively with the Director of Accessible Education Services.
2. If Accessible Education Services cannot resolve the student's concerns, then the student should contact the Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity, who shall receive the appeal as the Accessible Education Appeals Officer for Willamette University. If the Assistant Provost is determined to have a conflict of interest or is otherwise too closely involved in the original accommodation determination, the appeal will be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs. After reviewing all relevant information, the Appeals Officer may take steps as necessary to acquire additional information prior to making the determination about what accommodation(s) will be offered to the student. Accommodation decisions made by the Appeals Officer are final.

The University will not tolerate any retaliatory treatment or adverse consequences as a result of a student acting in good faith to report a complaint or participating in an investigation.

Reports of retaliation will be promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated. Consistent with the University's need to conduct an adequate investigation where a reasonable person would consider an action to be in violation of policy, prompt corrective action to rectify any retaliation will take place. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

Complaints not directly related to the accommodations, but that relate to Accessible Education Services in general may be made to the Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity.

Procedure for Review of an Accommodation Implementation

Students may request a review of situations where they believe accommodation decisions are not being adequately implemented and/or enforced.

1. If the student who has received accommodation deems that an accommodation decision is not being sufficiently implemented by Willamette faculty or staff, the student is encouraged to first attempt to resolve the dispute amicably through discussion with the specific faculty and/or staff member(s) involved.
2. If resolution by informal means is not achieved, the student may submit a written complaint to the Accessible Education Services Director, setting forth the particular problem(s) and the prior informal attempts at resolution. The Director shall then meet with the student and the faculty and/or staff member(s) involved, and the appropriate Dean, if necessary, to attempt to resolve the problem. The student may have an advisor present in an advisory capacity to the student. However, the advisor is not permitted to participate in the proceedings.
3. If resolution is not achieved, the Director shall refer the issue to the Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity, who shall receive the complaint as the Accessible Education Appeals Officers for Willamette University. The Appeals Officer may review all documents directly related to the complaint. The Appeals Officer may also meet with the student and any faculty and/or staff member(s) involved. After reviewing the documents and any other relevant information, the Appeals Officers shall make a determination concerning the complaint within a reasonable amount of time. Decisions by the Appeals Officer are final.

The University will not tolerate any retaliatory treatment or adverse consequences as a result of a student acting in good faith to report a complaint or participating in an investigation.

Reports of retaliation will be promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated. Consistent with the University's need to conduct an adequate investigation, where a reasonable person would consider an action to be in violation of policy, prompt corrective action to rectify any retaliation will take place. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extend possible.

Complaints not directly related to the accommodations, but that relate to Accessible Education Services in general may be made to the Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity.