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Student Access and Accommodation Services

Flexible Assignment Deadline Policy

Completing course assignments on time is an individual student responsibility and students should follow established assignment due date policies as provided. However, some students with a disability related impact may require occasional flexibility for assignment deadlines.

Determining when flexible assignment deadlines are reasonable

The following guidelines are used in considering whether Flexible Assignment Deadlines will fundamentally alter an essential part of the academic program/course:

  • Are deadlines within the course a learning outcome for all students?
  • Does the assignment include group work?
  • Can the assignment be turned in an alternative way? (email submission, Canvas, etc.)
  • Is turning in the assignment at a certain time and place an essential function of the course?

If the accommodation is granted and a faculty notification letter is shared, a Flex Plan will be initiated, which will identify the conditions allowed for extensions.  

Once an accommodation is approved by SAAS, the accommodation will be provided unless the accommodation fundamentally alters an essential part of the course/program.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are used by SAAS in considering a student request for a flexible assignment deadline as a reasonable accommodation:

  • Is the accommodation reasonable in relation to the student’s documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition information provided?
  • Would the granting of the accommodation fundamentally alter/waive essential academic requirements of the course/program?
  • Was the accommodation requested prior to each missed assignment?

If it is determined that a flexible assignment deadline will fundamentally alter a course, the accommodation will not be provided but an alternative may be offered if applicable. Approved accommodations are in effect once the student has shared the faculty notification letter and the Flex Plan has been intiated.  

Student Responsibilities

  • The student must share their faculty notification letter to initiate the Flex Plan with their instructor.
  • It is encouraged that the student initiate a conversation with instructors early, prior to the need for the accommodation.
  • The student must submit a Flex Plan Use Request in the SAAS student portal prior to any flexible assignment deadline request.
  • The student will contact their SAAS Coordinator immediately with any additional questions or concerns.
  • The student is required to meet the essential academic and technical standards of the program/course.

Instructor Responsibilities

  • If a student has an approved accommodation and has provided their faculty notification letter, the instructor will receive a Flex Plan to be intiated through the SAAS Instructor Portal.  
  • If you believe the requested flexible assignment deadline accommodation would fundamentally alter a course, SAAS should be contacted as soon as possible to discuss.
  • Be available to discuss the accommodation with the student.
  • Be very clear about expectations when meeting with the student and contacting SAAS for any assistance.
  • If a student’s flexible assignment deadline requests become excessive, please let SAAS know so we can follow up with the student if needed.
  • Instructors who need assistance in making this accommodation work for their students without fundamentally altering an essential part of the program/class should contact SAAS to discuss further.