02: Reasonable and Unreasonable Accommodations

How Accommodations Are Determined

The university (SAR) evaluates accommodations by considering:

• The barriers created by the student’s disability within the academic or campus environment.
• Possible adjustments that could reduce or remove those barriers.
• Whether the student can access the course or activity without the accommodation.
• Whether the accommodation would compromise essential course or program requirements.

Criteria for Reasonable Accommodations

A request is considered reasonable only if it does not:

• Fundamentally change the nature of a course, program, or activity.
• Remove or alter essential requirements.
• Lower academic standards or learning outcomes.
• Create an undue financial or administrative burden on the university.
• Pose a safety risk to others.

Unreasonable Accommodations

Determining that an accommodation is unreasonable is an institutional decision, not an individual one.

Faculty cannot unilaterally deny or modify accommodations. Any concerns must be reviewed collaboratively with:

• The academic department
• The Student Access and Resource Center (SAR Center)
• The Office of Legal Affairs may also be consulted.

If You Have Concerns About an Accommodation

Faculty may dispute an accommodation only if it appears to meet the definition of “unreasonable.”

If you believe an accommodation may compromise essential elements or create undue burden:

• Contact the SAR Center as soon as possible—ideally before the semester begins or within one business day of receiving the accommodation notice.
• Do not delay or deny the accommodation on your own.