Most students with disabilities can succeed in studying a foreign language. However, Oglethorpe recognizes that students with specific language processing difficulties may be unable to complete the language requirement. Students with documented language-based disabilities may petition the University to fulfill this requirement through faculty-approved course substitutions.

To initiate this process, a student must submit a formal request and provide the required documentation to Accessibility Services. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate this request. If approved, the student will receive permission from the Chair of the Division of Foreign Languages to complete two four-credit culture-related courses focused on non-English-speaking areas or language-related courses, such as computer programming, in place of language courses. Examples of eligible courses may include:

• ART 330 Far Eastern Art History – India, China, Tibet and Japan
• CSC 201 Introduction to Programming
• GER 290 Special Topics in German Language, Literature and Culture
• HIS 219 German History Since 1800
• HIS 221 Russian History Since 1861
• HIS 240 Latin America to Independence
• JPN 251 Identity and Nation in Modern Japanese Literature
• POL 231 Asian Politics
• SPN/FRE 406 French and Spanish Crossroads in the Caribbean and Africa

Certain Global Education short-term study abroad courses that do not require language study may also be eligible.

Courses taken as language substitutions may not count toward major or minor requirements and are limited to fulfilling the language requirement; they cannot replace upper-level language courses required by a major. Approval of all courses is at the discretion of the Chair of the Division of Foreign Languages.

Students are encouraged to submit substitution requests early in their academic program to allow adequate time to complete the requirement. Note that Oglethorpe is not responsible for any graduation delays resulting from course substitutions.

Most students with disabilities can succeed in completing the general education math requirement. However, Oglethorpe recognizes that students with specific math learning disabilities and processing disorders may be unable to complete the COR-314 requirement, even with reasonable academic accommodations. Students with a documented math-based disability and/or processing disorder may petition the University to fulfill the CORE math requirement by completing a faculty-approved course substitution.

To initiate the process, a student must submit a specific request along with the required documentation to Accessibility Services. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate this process. Students seeking a math substitution should consider the following:

• The math course substitution policy applies only to fulfilling the COR-314 requirement. This policy does not extend to disability-related substitutions for other math courses required for a major, minor, or as prerequisites.

Both the Division IX Chair and Core Director must approve all COR-314 course substitutions in advance. Students should not attempt substitute coursework without explicit approval, as previously completed courses may not qualify for substitution and cannot be applied retroactively. If the petition is approved, the student will receive permission from both the Division IX Chair and the Core Director to take an alternative course in place of COR-314: Mathematics and Human Nature.

Students are encouraged to submit their substitution request early in their academic program to allow adequate time to complete the requirement. Note that Oglethorpe is not responsible for any graduation delays resulting from course substitutions.

The student should first attempt to resolve the issue informally by discussing their concerns directly with Accessibility Services. While informal complaints can often be addressed through verbal discussion, students are encouraged to document their concerns in writing to ensure clarity and to maintain a record of the issue. This written communication can take the form of an email or a brief statement outlining the specific concerns and desired resolution sent to Accessibility Services.

The goal of this informal process is to reach a timely and amicable solution without the need for formal escalation. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, students have the option to pursue a formal grievance through the university’s established grievance procedures.

If the informal process does not resolve the issue to the student’s satisfaction, they may file a formal grievance with the university. This grievance must be submitted in writing and include the following information:

• Name and address of the complainant
• A description of the allegation(s)
• Specific facts or evidence to support the allegation(s)

Once completed, send to the Senior Director of Student Success.

The formal grievance must be filed within thirty (30) days of the alleged incident

Once the Senior Director of Student Success reviews the grievance, examines the records, and provides a written response, you have the right to appeal the decision or request further review. Appeals must be directed to the Assistant Provost.

The complainant may appeal the findings of the grievance investigation by completing the online Academic Affairs Complaint/Appeal/Policy Waiver Request.

Upon appeal, the Assistant Provost will conduct an appropriate investigation. During this process, both the complainant and the individuals against whom the allegations have been made, along with their representatives, if any, will have the opportunity to submit relevant information and documentation. The investigation will be completed within thirty (30) workdays of receiving the appeal, with written results issued to the complainant.

Once OAS receives the Housing Accommodation Request Form and Documentation, staff will contact the student, in writing, to set up a meeting to discuss the requested housing accommodation to ensure that the need and scope of the request is fully understood.

All submitted requests and documentation will be reviewed by the Housing Accommodation Committee upon being received. The committee will evaluate all requests for need-based housing assignments carefully. Please note that the housing Accommodation Committee currently meets bi-weekly, please give the committee 7-14 business days to respond to your housing accommodations request.

If you feel the OAS staff has not adequately addressed your concerns, please follow the steps outlined under “Grievance Procedures.”

Documentation must:

• Be in the form of a letter or report from a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist or other medical provider who is qualified to make the diagnosis and is currently treating you for the disability for which you are requesting a housing accommodation. For example, a psychiatrist would not be an appropriate clinician to provide documentation for a gastrointestinal condition.
• The documentation must be on official letterhead and should be signed and dated within the last year.
• Include a specific diagnosis, a statement of your current condition, the date and a summary of your most recent evaluation, and the expected duration of your condition.
• State the current impact of (or functional limitations) imposed by the condition on your living situation.
• Explain how the condition relates to your request for a Housing accommodation. There must be a direct link established between the condition and your requested housing accommodation.
• Clearly state a specific housing accommodation recommendation as a result of the condition.
• Include possible alternatives if the requested accommodation is not available.
• Provide evidence the provider is currently treating you for the condition for which the accommodation is requested.

In all cases, the University expects students to adhere to the treatment recommendations of the professionals helping them manage their care. To this end, requests MUST be made every academic year to the next and updated documentation stating student progress may be required at the time of renewal requests.

A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts by causing reactions and symptoms. Some individuals with food allergies have a disability as defined by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), particularly those with more significant or severe responses to certain foods. This would include individuals with celiac disease and others who have autoimmune responses to certain foods, the symptoms of which may include difficulty swallowing or breathing, asthma, or anaphylactic shock. The ADA defines a disability as a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as eating. Major life activities include major bodily functions, such as the functions of the gastrointestinal system. Oglethorpe is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with food allergy disabilities.

Students with food allergies who would like to request an accommodation should notify the Accessibility Office by completing this form and e-mailing it to [email protected].

Medical documentation and medication information relevant to the condition is required. It is essential, as with other conditions, that the documentation supports the need for accommodation/modification as defined by the ADA. The documentation must be from a physician noting the student has a food allergy and must and in accordance with the Accessibility Office documentation guidelines available here.

Upon receipt of the request form and medical documentation, the Accessibility Office will review for necessary requirements and engage in an interactive process with the student. The process may involve coordinating accommodations with other offices on campus. All accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Accessibility office will provide documentation of any plan to the student, dining services, residential life staff, campus safety, as well as athletics staff when applicable. Any protocols for individualized emergency response will be included in the plan.

As with other medical information, information about a student’s food allergy or celiac disease will only be shared with those staff members directly involved in the implementation of accommodations, or in the emergency plans for these students. A student will be asked to waive any applicable privacy protections in order for the information to be shared appropriately among those involved with implementation and emergency plans.

Students are responsible for informing the Accessibility office of their need to develop a plan to accommodate their food allergy, for reviewing any labeling and ingredient information available on the dining website and in the dining halls, and inquiring if there are no labels, in order to make safe food choices. Students are responsible for carrying on their person any prescribed medication to treat the effects of food allergies and information for individualized emergency response plans. Students should also notify roommates about their food allergies.

When a student is suspected to have an allergic reaction, a staff member should call 911. The staff member should provide information relating to the allergic reaction and location of the student. After calling 911, the staff member should immediately inform campus safety 404-504-1998. A staff member will stay with the individual until medical help arrives. If the situation is deemed to be a medical emergency a staff member may accompany the student at the hospital. If a student has an individual emergency plan on file, additional outlined steps should be followed such as the administration of epinephrine.

Food services and residence life staff are trained on these procedures.

Oglethorpe will engage in an ongoing assessment of review of food safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance and remedy mistakes so that they can be avoided in the future.

Oglethorpe University is committed to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.  The University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Oglethorpe University permits Service Animals in campus residential housing and in the classroom.

Oglethorpe University is committed to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. The University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Oglethorpe University permits Emotional Support Animals in campus residential housing as a reasonable accommodation after the student has met the guidelines under which approval of an Emotional Support Animal is determined, and the procedure for requesting housing accommodations has been completed and approved. Please note that if a student is found responsible for having an Emotional Support Animal without prior written approval, student will be subject to penalties that may include fines, housing re-assignment, residential suspension, or other appropriate disciplinary action as determined by Residence Life.

“Emotional Support Animals” are animals that provide assistance or emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Emotional Support Animals may be called assistance or therapy animals by other organizations but Oglethorpe’s policy calls them Emotional Support Animals. For animals to be designated as Emotional Support Animals, students are required to demonstrate that their identified animal alleviates symptoms of a qualified disability (See section 2.2 for documentation requirements).

“Service Animals” are dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Service Animals are permitted nearly everywhere on campus. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as Service Animals.

A “Pet” is an animal kept for ordinary use and companionship. A pet is not considered an Emotional Support Animal or a Service Animal and is not covered by this policy. On-campus residents are not permitted to keep pets, other than fish, on University property or in University housing.

An “Owner” is the student who has requested an accommodation under this policy and has received approval to bring a specifically identified Emotional Support Animal on campus as listed in the Animal Information section contained within this policy.

“Assigned Living Space” is the residential space assigned to a specific student. This is limited to their assigned bedroom, their designated bathroom, and the small common space inside their assigned suite. Depending on the configuration of the living space, these spaces may be shared with other students.

View the ESA Care Guidelines