- University Support Services
The Dean of Students’ Office and the rest of the University are working together to provide the best education possible for, you, the student. The following services and resources have been designed to take every measure to guarantee a more successful and fulfilling learning experience here at Suffolk. Please be sure to take time to explore this section and view what we have to offer.
The Dean of Students’ Office
The Dean of Students’ Office, located at 73 Tremont Street, 12th floor, is the central administration liaison for students with disabilities. The office is responsible for accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The services provided by the Dean of Students Office include:
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Assessing student needs.
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Making recommendations or referrals to University offices, support centers, as well as outside agencies.
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Facilitating arrangements for students needing academic as well as other assistance and responding to requests for special assistance.
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Verifying disabilities documentation and approving accommodations.
For more information: Call: (617) 573-8239 TDD: (617) 557-4875
Braille Translation
Massachusetts Association for the Blind (MAB) provides services in translating books into Braille. The Massachusetts Association for the Blind, Braille translation Office provides services in translating books into Braille. Students are responsible for the fees related to the services. For more information, write to: Massachusetts Association for the Blind 200 Ivy Street Brookline, MA 02146 Call at: (617) 738-5115
Faculty advisors will assist students in selecting a class schedule that meets their needs. Scheduling will be particularly important for students whose disability limits their travel time around campus. Concerns relating to accommodations for specific courses and individual class requirements should also be discussed with advisors as students prepare their class schedule each semester
Early Registration-Formerly Called Priority Registration
Early registration is available to students with physical, psychiatric and learning disabilities. This accommodation allows eligible students to register one week prior to the scheduled registration dates. In order to be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
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You must have disability documentation on file with the DOS Office in order to be eligible for this accommodation. The Assistant Dean of Students will determine the appropriateness of this accommodation based on your documentation.
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Meet with your faculty advisor to determine appropriate course selection for Fall 2006. Secure faculty advisor’s signature on the Early Registration Approval Form .
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Bring completed form to Assisant Dean of Students for approval. Form will not be accepted by the Registrar’s Office without DOS Office approval.
*Students may not qualify for Early Registration if they: a) owe the University money, tuition or other charges, b) are not enrolled in the University’s student health insurance program or do not have their own insurance, and/or c) are not immunized.
Take Early Registration Form to Student Accounts for approval, then submit to the Registrar’s Office. In most cases, you will be issued your new schedule as you wait. Each semester, contact the Dean of Students Office for dates of early registration. Students who fail to follow the above procedures, or who are denied this accommodation, will use the normal registration process.
Students who are hearing impaired and wish to request interpreters, CART services or cued speech transliterators should notify the Assistant Dean of Students Office immediately after registration.
Students who require note-takers because of a specific disability, must contact the Assistant Dean of Students well in advance of the beginning of a semester to allow sufficient time for proper accommodations. The office often recommends that the instructor confidentially seek volunteers in the class. Students will be advised about the process.
Students who need readers because of visual impairment or learning disability, must contact the Dean of Students Office prior to the beginning of classes for each semester.
The Assistant Dean of Students makes referrals to other appropriate offices, support centers, professors, or outside agencies as necessary.
The Dean of Students Office works with other University offices to make sure all classrooms are accessible to students with disabilities. Accommodation requests should be submitted to the Assistant Dean of Students two weeks before classes begin.
When taping a lecture is needed due to a hearing, mobility, learning disability(ies) or sight impairment, it is the responsibility of the students to make arrangements with the professor. The initial request must be submitted to the Dean of Students Office.
Students with visual impairment, physical or learning disabilities may need to have books taped. Taping text books is done through Recording For the blind & Dyslexia (RFB & D). Recording a book takes at least two months. Students will not be able to have books taped if they wait until registration to get book lists. Students should contact faculty about three months before the beginning of the term (for Fall semester start by June 1, for Spring semester start by October 1, for Summer semester start by March 1) to request book lists for courses. Students using taped textbooks will need a four-track, two speed tape recorder (available as a loan at Media Services). Any student receiving financial assistance from the Massachusetts Commission For the Blind may obtain recorders from the Commission.
Students who are mobility impaired or have a learning disability and require testing accommodations should contact the Assistant Dean of Students the first week of each semester. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule exams with the instructor if they cannot be taken with the rest of the class. Faculty may arrange testing accommodations with the Ballotti Learning Center to administer exams. Students who neglect to notify faculty, at least one week prior to a scheduled exam, may risk losing accommodation privileges.
Tutorials are available to all University students through the Ballotti Learning Center. Students who physical or learning disabilities requesting special consideration or additional tutoring should contact the coordinator of the tutorial programs at the Center or the Learning Disabilities Specialist at (617) 573-8235.