Suffolk University - Rights and Responsibilities

Information for Students

Rights and Responsibilities

Rights:

To not be denied access due to a disability, according to the law
To receive reasonable accommodations that provide equal opportunity.
To have access to auxiliary aids/assistive technology as available to other students.
To not be counseled toward “more restrictive career objectives.”
To receive assistance from the Office of Disabilty Services in removing physical, academic and attitudinal barriers.
To not be discriminated against due to a disability or receive any retaliatory discrimination, as protected by law.

Responsibilities:

To identify to the Office of Disability Services.
To provide documentation of disability.
To participate in an intake interview with a Disability Services staff member to initiate services.
To initiate specific accommodations by following the procedures outlined in a discussion with the Disability Services staff member.
To provide professors with reasonable notice in which to implement the accommodations.
To provide for personal independent living needs or other personal disability-related needs.
To assume personal responsibility for meeting with faculty and requesting additional assistance.

Discrimination Grievance Procedures

Internal Complaints: Students who feel they have been discriminated against because of a disability or perceived disability have a right to file a grievance report with the Student Affairs Office. Suffolk University has a nondiscrimination policy as well as internal grievance procedures if a student suspects discrimination. To view Suffolk’s policy on discrimination, please refer to the Undergraduate or Graduate Student Handbook.

External (OCR) Complaints: Students are encouraged to follow the internal grievance procedure in an attempt to resolve complaints. However, students can file a grievance with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at any time. Ordinarily, the time limit for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the time the incident occurred. Information on how to file a grievance with OCR can be found at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html?src=oc.