[Wsssc] Riddle me this...

Orchard, Sue sorchard at lcc.ctc.edu
Fri Jun 2 12:07:12 PDT 2017


Hi Glen-

I've encountered this at a previous institution. To protect the student and ensure compliance with the law, the instructor's dean weighed in on the matter, directed the faculty to provide the accommodation immediately, and made it clear that by not complying, the instructor may be directly liable - not the college. If the faculty union want to grieve it, that's fine, but in the meantime, the instructor must comply or else there could be disciplinary action taken.

Longer term, we set up a series of educational sessions with faculty to review the college's legal responsibility, discuss scenarios and explain what the interactive process means with regard to determining reasonable accommodations. Clear backing from VPs and other administrators was very helpful, as well. I agree with Joe and Dave about including HR and the AAG.

Best,
Sue

Sue Orchard, PsyD
Vice President of Student Services
Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Lower Columbia College
360.442.2301
sorchard at lowercolumbia.edu<mailto:sorchard at lowercolumbia.edu>

From: wsssc [mailto:wsssc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Dave Paul
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 8:09 AM
To: Cosby, Glen <Glen.Cosby at scc.spokane.edu>; 'wsssc at lists.ctc.edu' <wsssc at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: Re: [Wsssc] Riddle me this...

Hi Glen,
We have not had this issue, but it seems that this is beyond the protection of academic freedom.

What does your HR office say about it?

Dave

David M. Paul, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Services
Skagit Valley College
2405 East College Way   Mount Vernon WA, 98273
(360) 416-7738

From: wsssc [mailto:wsssc-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Cosby, Glen
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2017 3:38 PM
To: 'wsssc at lists.ctc.edu' <wsssc at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:wsssc at lists.ctc.edu>>
Subject: [Wsssc] Riddle me this...

Esteemed and learned colleagues, how do you deal with faculty who dig in their heels and refuse to accept an approved accommodation for a disabled student?  Let us take as a for instance recording of lecture material.  The law (specifically Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) is pretty clear that if a student is entitled to this accommodation there is no legitimate grounds on which a faculty member can refuse to provide it, yet we have faculty members who do and who receive backing from their faculty union who wish to push the problem back onto DSS to find an alternative accommodation that is acceptable to faculty.  Just curious if any of you have encountered a similar situation and how you cut that Gordian knot.

Glen A Cosby, Ph.D.
Vice President of Student Services
Spokane Community College
Spokane, Washington
(509) 533-7015
Fax: (509) 533-7321

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