Student Rights & Grievance Procedure

As an otherwise qualified student with a disability:

• You have a right to have equal access to MSU’s programs, courses, facilities, and activities.
• You have a right to forego disclosing your disability or officially registering with the Office of Disability Services; however, doing so is required if you wish to qualify for special services and accommodations.
• You have a right to an appeal if you believe you were unfairly denied a relevant and reasonable accommodation request. In that situation you should schedule a meeting with the Disability Services Coordinator so that the merits of your appeal can be considered; if you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may further discuss the issue with the Dean of Students at 227 ADUC, or by calling 606-783-2070.
• You have a right to expect the Disability Services Coordinator to be your resource for questions or problems concerning providing your approved accommodations. The Coordinator is usually able to quickly and satisfactorily address most situations through direct communication with accommodation providers after being informed of an issue by you via email, phone, or in person.
• You have a right to officially report unequal treatment based on disability if encountered anywhere at the University and to use our internal grievance process for a timely investigation and appropriate resolution. According to University Regulations (UAR 303.03), you should inform the Disability Services Coordinator within thirty days after becoming aware of an alleged disability-related violation. If your complaint were to be about the staff of the Office of Disability Services itself, you could instead discuss the issue with the Dean of Students at 227 ADUC, or by calling 606-783-2070. For additional information about your legal protections, including external avenues for disability-related complaints, visit the websites of the Office of Civil Rights and www.ADA.gov.
• You have a right to expect the documentation that you submit to verify your disability as well as your contacts with Disability Services, to be treated confidentially. When accommodations you request are to be provided by MSU faculty, staff, administration, other students, or external agents, you have given consent for Disability Services to release pertinent information from your file, limited to preparing/providing those services. Communication between the DS office and your service providers and/or University officials with a legitimate educational interest may be conducted electronically, verbally, or in writing. Otherwise, the contents of your personal file will not be released without your written permission except: as part of aggregate data that will not personally identify you, on a need-to-know basis for the investigation of a disability-related complaint or appeal within the University, for a health or safety emergency, or as required by law. Your disability status and use of accommodations will not be noted on your academic transcript. Five years after your last contact with us your records will be destroyed by Disability Services staff.
• You have a right to receive reasonable and relevant accommodations at no cost to you, including certain auxiliary aids that are essential to your particular needs as a student and to be an active participant in the selection process.
• You have a right at any time to discontinue using any or all of the accommodations for which you have been approved. Promptly informing the direct provider and/or the Office of Disability Services of your decision would be appreciated.
• You are responsible for providing documentation to Disability Services to establish your eligibility for services. Additional information about this requirement can be found in the Disability Documentation Guidelines.
• You are responsible for making an advance request to allow reasonable time for accommodations to be arranged before your need for them. You choose to use accommodations in all or just some of your classes through the selective release of your official accommodation letter to professors.
• You are responsible for accessing your accommodations once they are established. This may involve assertiveness to make specific arrangements with professors and other providers.
• You are responsible for reserving the services and materials provided as part of an approved accommodation for your use only. They are not to be reproduced, broadcast, networked, loaned, sold, or shared with others.
• You are responsible for the expense and arrangement of any personal aids or services that exceed the University's obligation. You can clarify any confusion about this distinction at your initial intake session or by contacting Disability Services in advance.
• You are responsible for notifying the Disability Services Coordinator if you need assistance troubleshooting a disability-related situation or if you would like additional referrals.
• You are responsible for informing the Office of Disability Services if there is a change in the status of your documented disability or if new academic demands arise that might alter your entitlement to continued, different, or expanded services.
• Regardless of disability, all students are responsible for satisfying the essential requirements of an academic course or program of study without fundamental alteration.