Services

In compliance with the ADA, Regis University provides accessible parking in all parking lots at the Lowell campus and at all satellite campuses.

Student, Staff and Fauclty Disability Parking

In order to use accessible parking, students must show an accessible permit as required by the State of Colorado so they will not be ticketed for parking in an accessible zone. All students parking in accessible parking who do not show the special permit will be ticketed in accordance with the Office of Campus Safety rules and regulations or City and County of Denver. All students, with and without disabilities are required to obtain campus parking passes if they choose to park on campus.

Temporary Physical Disability Parking

Students, staff or faculty who encounters a temporary physical disability that affects their mobility (e.g. broken leg, need for crutches or wheelchair) are required to obtain a physical disability permit from the State of Colorado.

The fine for parking in accessible parking without a permit is $75. Registration, graduation, and/or transcript holds may be placed against persons who have not cleared their parking fine accounts.

Students with disabilities may complete the Regis University Application for Services form so that appropriate services can be considered. Please be aware that additional information may be required before students are eligible for disability services. All information provided is kept confidential.

Apply for services by completing our online form.

All students are required to follow attendance policies as set by faculty and as stated in the syllabus for each class. Students with disabilities are held to the same attendance standards as are all students at Regis University. If the effect of the disability precludes the student from attending class, the student must notify the professor. The professor will determine the appropriateness of the absence based upon the design of the course, not on the disability.

Regular and prompt attendance at all classes is expected of all students. It is the professor’s responsibility to distribute all attendance requirements through syllabus information at the beginning of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work missed to the satisfaction of the professor.

Students who are withdrawn from a class because of absenteeism receive an “F” grade by absence and assume all financial responsibility for tuition and fees.

Appeal Process:

Students who fail a course may appeal the decision through the grade appeal process for the applicable school.

Student Procedures

• Students are asked to obtain book lists, complete the Books in Alternate Format Request Form, and submit the Request Form to SDS each semester/term books in alternate format would like to be used. The Request Form must be filled out in its entirety; missing information will delay requests.
• The Request Form must be given to SDS one month prior to the start of classes.
• To find the book list information do one of the following:
  1. Go to the Regis Bookstore website and click on "Students" and the "Find your textbooks and course materials"
  2. Visit Regis University Bookstore or call them at 1.800.798.4153 x 4150
  3. Contact the professor for the class booklist
• To find the required book information such as ISBN#, edition, author, etc., please visit www.booksinprint.com or www.amazon.com, as these sites contain this information.
• If the book(s) are not available in alternate format, students may be asked to provide SDS with their copy of the book(s). This will allow SDS to convert the book into an alternate format.
• Please note SDS works on a first come-first served basis.

SDS Procedures

• SDS will work fully completed Request Forms in the order they are received.
• SDS takes into account student's preference in format. However, due to the large volume of requests sometimes the preferred format cannot be produced.
• SDS will check our own e-library to see if the book(s) are already available in alternate format.
• If SDS does not have the book(s) in alternate format, SDS will do the following:
  1. Research if the book(s) are available in alternate format from an outside agency and order it.
  2. If the book(s) are not available in alternate format, SDS will have the book scanned into Kurzweil (computerized reader). Students may be required to give SDS their book(s).
• Students will be notified when books in alternate format are ready to be picked up form SDS.

Kurzweil Procedures

• Kurzweil training is available to students who are eligible for books in alternate format.
• Kurzweil is available at all campus sites.
• Scanning student's books into Kurzweil:
  1. Spine of student's book will be cut
  2. Book will be scanned using a feeder
  3. Book will be rebound using a spiral coil and returned to the student

The guidelines below are to be considered only in relation to your unique learning needs. In some cases, school and curriculum restrictions may prevent schedule changes. Financial Aid and agency sponsorship (E.g. Department of Vocational Rehabilitation) may limit the minimum number of credits per term allowed in order to remain in good standing. It is important that the student be in close contact with the sponsoring agency.

Back–to–back classes:

For students with physical, psychiatric, and/or cognitive processing disabilities, back-to-back classes are not recommended. Breaks between classes will allow the student time to get to the next class and can provide a breather between classes. Breaks between classes can also allow for lecture review from the previous class, or study time for the next class.

Number of credits per semester:

To be considered a full time student, a traditional undergraduate student must carry no less than 12 credits. For first term, it is recommended that the student carry no more than 15 credits. By reducing the number of credits per term, it is assumed that 1) the student will take additional semesters to graduate, and/or 2) the student may need to attend summer classes to keep current.

Financial Aid Implications:

If the student chooses to reduce his or her course load and the student is being sponsored by financial aid or an agency, the student needs to be in contact with those offices before he or she decides to decrease the course load. Decreasing the credit load without communicating with those agencies may put the student at risk for future financial aid assistance.

For non-traditional, College for Professional Studies, or College for Health Care Professions students working full time and/or taking accelerated coursework (five and eight week courses) it may be wise to consider a part time course load the first term in order to determine how to balance the fast pace of accelerated courses with life away from the classroom.

Balance of courses each term:

If the student has a cognitive disability (e.g. learning disability and/or Attention Deficit Disorder), he/she may want to adjust his or her course schedule to balance out reading intensive courses with writing or math intensive courses. Success, not frustration, should be the student’s goal.

Incompletes or withdrawal from classes:

Students with disabilities who withdraw from classes or ask for incompletes from their professors at the end of a term are treated the same as any student requesting the same. It is recommended that the student review the policy for withdrawals and incompletes for the School in which he or she is enrolled in.

SDS is committed to ensuring that student disability records are maintained and kept confidential as required by applicable law. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), applies to student disability records.

To prevent disability discrimination, all disability documentation remains solely with SDS at Regis University. In general, written authorization by students is required for disclosures of personally identifiable information in their education records. Disability information may be shared on a limited basis only under the following FERPA conditions:

• If the disclosure is to other school officials within the institution who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests; or
• If the disclosure is to another institution of higher education where the student seeks or intends to enroll; or
• If the disclosure of the student’s file is required pursuant to a court order or subpoena and then only to the judge who issues the order.

Students who register with SDS will be asked to sign a Release of Information form as part of the process for requesting accommodations.

Information will not be released without informed consent of the student, unless college policy, state or federal law requires it. A student may give written authorization for the release of information when the student wishes to share the documentation with others (e.g. parents).

For purposes of this policy a “school official” is a person employed by the University. Further, a “legitimate educational interest” will be found where the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. The University publishes a FERPA policy which is subject to change and is available in the Office of the Registrar.

Each student with a disability is assigned a faculty or program adviser from his/her program major, in the same manner that any student without a disability is assigned an academic adviser. The academic advisors are intended to advise the student during the class scheduling period. By disclosing a disability to the advisor, the advisor may better understand the reasons behind the request for balancing class schedules in a manner that accentuates the student’s academic strengths and diminishes the academic weaknesses. However, do not assume that by disclosing the disability to the advisor, the advisor fully understands the nature of the disability or its impact upon the academic environment.

Foreign Language Substitutions

Regis College requires students to complete two semesters of foreign language as part of its Core Curriculum. Students with language based learning disabilities are required to meet these core competencies with rare exceptions.

Regardless of the existence of a disability, students must make a bona fide effort to fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements of a foreign language. If a sincere effort has been made including class attendance as stated by the attendance policy, completion of homework and other assignments, and class participation, and the student is unable to satisfy the requirement for disability-related reasons, the student may initiate a request for an alternate method of fulfilling the requirement.

The student must provide appropriate documentation to Student Disability Services (SDS). The director of SDS will discuss the request with the professor teaching the class and the Chair of the Foreign Lanugages Department to determine the appropriateness of the request.

The request should be made after the course has been attempted or after the inability to complete the requirement becomes apparent.

Final approval of substitution of a foreign language must be approved by the Dean/Assistant Dean of Regis College.

Note: Requests for foreign language substitutions must be made at least three semesters prior to the planned graduation date.

If a student believes that an action of SDS regarding a request for an accommodation violates his or her rights under law, s/he may appeal the matter through the following procedures:

• A complaint should be submitted in writing containing the name, title and address of the complainant, and a brief description of the allegations of discrimination. This complaint should be addressed to Dean of Students, Student Life, Regis University. 3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, CO 80221, 303-458-4223.
• A complaint should be filed promptly, within thirty (30) days of the alleged discrimination
• An investigation, if appropriate, shall be conducted following receipt of the discrimination complaint. This process involves informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested parties, including the complainant and the person(s) against whom the allegation(s) of discrimination have been made, and their respective representatives, and opportunity to submit information and documentation regarding the complaint allegations
• Upon completion of the investigation, a written determination will be delivered to the complainant, typically within forty-five (45) workdays of the receipt of the complaint.
• The complainant can request a reconsideration of the complaint if dissatisfied with the results of the investigation. The request for consideration shall be made within seven (7) workdays of the complainant’s receipt of the written determination and shall be submitted to the Dean of Students, Student Life, Regis University. 3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, Colorado, 80221, 303-458-4223 for further discussion.
• If, the complainant is dissatisfied with further investigations by the Dean of Students he/she shall have the right to take the complaint to the Executive Assistant to the President, Office of the President, Main Hall, Room #201, Regis University, 3333 Regis Blvd., Denver, CO. 80221-1099
• Retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination, participates in an investigation, or proposes a discriminatory education practice or policy is prohibited under University policy, and by state and federal law
• If the grievance cannot be resolved within Regis University, the complainant shall be informed of the right to file the complaint with the appropriate state or federal agency.

Note taker accommodations are available to students with documented disabilities and documented need for note taker assistance. Note takers are peer note takers (another student in the class who is taking the course). For students who live outside the Denver area, they may make their requests via phone call or email.

Student receiving notes:

• Fill out the Classroom Note Taker Agreement in Student Disability Services (SDS)
• Show up to every class on time. Student is responsible for class attendance the same way the note taker and other students in the class are. Note takers are not a substitute for class attendance.
• Student must contact SDS if use of note taker accommodations is no longer needed (i.e., student no longer wants/needs notes or has withdrawn from the class in wich notes were requested).
• It is the student's responsibility to contact SDS if the note taker accommodation is unsatisfactory (i.e., notes are illegible, unclear, from the incorrect class, inconsisten, or student does not receive notes for at least two weeks).

Note Taker Responsibility:

• Fill out the Classroom Note Taker Agreement in the SDS office
• Show up on time and be prepared for every class
• Leave copies of notes for student at least once a week
• Carbonless paper is available in the SDS office (Clarke Hall, Room 225), or notes may be copied in the Student Disability Services office at no charge
• If note taker is going to miss more than one class, pleas contact the Student Disability Services at:
  • Phone: 303.458.4941
  • Email: disability@regis.edu

SDS Responsibility:

• Assist the student in finding note takers if requested
• Intervene if the student or the note taker does not follow policy and procedure
• In recognition of their assistance, individuals taking notes will be provided with a gift of appreciation from Student Disability Services to the Regis Bookstore, iTunes, or Amazon.

Student Procedures:

• Student will be notified by SDS that equipment and/or materials are ready to be picked up from SDS.
• Fill out the Equipment/Materials Checkout Contract and the Books in Alternate Format Checkout Form (if applicable).
• One or both of these forms must be signed before students receive any equipment/materials. This also applies to online and satellite campus students.
• It is the student's responsibility to supply batteries or headphones for assistive technology.
• Students must contact SDS immediately if the assistive technology fails to work.
• Extensions to the equipment/materials due date can only be authorized by SDS
• Assistive technology must be returned in good working order on or before the due date specified on the Checkout Form, or risk being fined, or transcripts and registration being held.

SDS Procedures:

• SDS will give a copy of the Checkout Form to students.
• SDS will troubleshoot with students and/or relpace assistive technology that is not working.
• SDS will contact students with a reminder of the due date of the return of the assistive technology and post a general reminder on InSite.
• SDS may fine students, or request transcripts and registration to be held if assistive technology has not been returned by the due date.
• SDS will confirm that the equipment is in good working order when students return assistive technology.
• SDS will sign in the equipment that it has been received in good working order.

Types of Assistive Technology Quantties limited, first come, first served.

• Books in alternate format
• CD Players
• FM systems
• Spell checkers

SDS assumes the student is being appropriately accommodated unless the student notifies SDS otherwise.

Deaf or hard of hearing students who need interpreters for their classes must provide the required documentation to SDS prior to receiving interpreter services at Regis University. In order to insure effective interpreting services for the classroom, SDS needs a minimum 2 week notice to locate a qualified interpreter. If the request is for a non-course related meeting, SDS needs at least a five working day notice. If less notice is given, SDS will make every effort to find a qualified interpreter but does not guarantee services for less than 5 working days.

Third party requests are not considered sufficient to initiate the search for an interpreter; communication needs to take place between SDS and the student making the request.

All interpreter requests should be made through SDS. Interpreter costs for students are incurred by SDS. Interpreter costs for staff, employees, faculty, and visitors are incurred by the department/college making the request. SDS will coordinate the interpreter service and the interpreter contracts for departments requesting the accommodation.

To request interpreter services contact SDS at disability@regis.edu, or call the office at 303-458-4941

If you have a disability or medical condition that requires you to have special accommodations such as a single room, please submit your written request with the below required documentation by a doctor or licensed mental health professional by the request due date of each year to the Student Disability Services (303-458-4941: disability@regis.edu). DO NOT submit documentation to Residence Life!

Documentation must be on letterhead from a physician or licensed mental health professional and include the following:

• A diagnosis
• Is impact of the condition life threatening if the request is not met?
• Is there a negative health impact that may be permanent if the request is not met?
• Is the request an integral component of a treatment plan for the condition in question?
• What is the likely impact on academic performance if the request is not met?

A decision about your accommodation will be made by a panel of professionals who will in turn notify you of their decision in writing. Special needs requests will be evaluated in conjunction with the housing sign up timeline.

Special Needs Housing Requests for Returning Students

All students MUST re-apply for a disability or medical single room each academic year. If you wish to continue having a disability or medical single room or would like to request a disability or medical single room for the (upcoming) academic year you must submit current and complete documentation to the Student Disability Services.

Documentation must be on letterhead from a physician or licensed mental health professional and include the following:

• A diagnosis
• Is impact of the condition life threatening if the request is not met?
• Is there a negative health impact that may be permanent if the request is not met?
• Is the request an integral component of a treatment plan for the condition in question?
• What is the likely impact on academic performance if the request is not met?
• What is the likely impact on social development if the request is not met?

A decision about your accommodation will be made by a panel of professionals who will in turn notify you of their decision in writing. Special needs requests will be evaluated in conjunction with the housing sign up timeline.

All students requesting test accommodations (extended time testing, distraction free environment, test reader, etc.) must provide appropriate documentation of the disability. If the students does not provide SDS sufficient time to arrange for test accommodations, the accommodation may be denied. Students attending classes at different locations can make appropriate arrangements only if the professor has received a copy of the Accommodations Request Form. Professors do not have to accommodate students without this form.

Student Procedures:

• Request testing accommodations and schedule exams in the Office of Student Disability Services (Clarke Hall, Room 225).
• Exam taken with testing accommodations must be scheduled a minimum of three (3) full working days prior to the exam date.
• a blue Testing Accommodations Form is filled out by SDS.
• A blue form must be filled out for each exam.
• Give the blue testing Accommodations Form to the professor at least one (1) class period before the exam.
• Report to Clarke Hall, Room 225 at the scheduled exam date and time.
• Be prompt! If students are late for the appointed time to take exam, the amount of time students are late will be deducted from the extended time given for the exam
• If students miss an exam, they must alert their professor and SDS and reshedule the exam upon the professor's approval
• Notify SDS if the professor changes the exam date and/or time, and reschedule with SDS.

SDS Procedures:

Coordinate testing accommodations once exams have been scheduled

Notify professors if testing has been suspended for any reason