Student Rights & Responsibilities

It is vital that University students, faculty, and staff, are aware of the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities. Learn about them below and find out how grievance processes are handled.

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 Disability 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
  • To decide whether or not to identify themselves to the Office of Disability Services
  • To decide whether or not to use their accommodations each semester

Responsibilities

  • To identify to the Office of Disability Services if they wish to receive accommodations
  • 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
  • To follow all Office of Disability Services policies and procedures to receive accommodations

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 (617-593-8239). 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.