Any Ursinus College student who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability or has been denied access or accommodations required by law, shall have the right to invoke the Disability Discrimination Grievance Process. Students have the option of pursuing a prompt and equitable preliminary grievance process or initiating a formal grievance process that is prompt and equitable. The Disability Discrimination Grievance process addresses the following concerns:

• Disagreements or denials regarding disability designation and status
• Denial of requested accommodations, auxiliary aids, and/or services
• Claims of inaccessibility of a College program, activity, or facility
• Alleged harassment or discrimination on the basis of a disability by the College, a faculty member, or any of its employees

The Disability Discrimination Grievance Process is not intended to supersede other College policies and procedures which may exist for addressing alleged violations of the ADA and/or Section 504, or other issues for which separate policies and procedures exist. For concerns of harassment or discrimination by another student, please refer to the Ursinus Student Code of Conduct, Community Expectations and College Policies, Section XI: Discriminatory Harassment.

Informal Grievance Process

Meet with the Director of Disability Services to attempt to resolve the complaint through the Preliminary Grievance Process.

Formal Grievance Process

If the complaint is not able to be resolved through the informal process, the student may initiate the Formal Grievance Process

Appeal

Students who are dissatisfied with the resolution issued by the College administrator or their designee can request a reconsideration of the decision. The Appeal must be submitted in writing within 5 days of the issuance of the initial decision. 

Accommodations Appeal

Students who feel that their accommodations are not sufficient or disagrees with the denial of a requested accommodation are encouraged to contact the Director of Disability Services to discuss their concerns.

If the student feels their concern has not been resolved or the actions of the Director of Disability Services are at issue, the student may contact the Assistant Dean Students/Co-Director of the Institute for Student Success.

Preliminary Grievance

Prior to initiating a formal grievance process students are encouraged first to attempt to resolve their complaint through the informal preliminary grievance process. Under this process, the Director of Disability Services can address a particular concern using the appropriate college policies or procedures. Students who choose to begin with the preliminary grievance process may later pursue the formal grievance process.

Students may initiate the preliminary grievance process by submitting the below Form in writing to the Director of Disability Services promptly after the alleged discriminatory action occurs (if possible). The Director of Disability Services will review the complaint and provide a response in writing within 10 working days. 

Please submit Preliminary Grievances to:

Director of Disability Services
Ursinus College
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426

Formal Grievance

If the student is dissatisfied with the preliminary grievance process or chooses to initiate a formal grievance at the outset, the student must do so by filing the formal grievance in writing within sixty (60) days of the alleged incident.

The student will present relevant information in writing to the Director of Disability Services, who will promptly review the information and related materials, and forward them to the appropriate Ursinus College administrator:

Non-Academic/ Student Life Concerns:

Interim Dean of Students and Co-Director for the Ursinus Institute for Student Success
Institute for Student Success
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
Phone: 610-409-3590
Fax: 610-409-3555

Academic Related Concerns:

Associate Dean of the College
Corson Hall
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
Phone: 610-409-3970
Fax: 610-409-3787

 

If the student’s grievance pertains to a decision made regarding a determination of disability under ADA standards, the student must file a grievance in writing with the Interim Dean of Students and Co-Director for the Ursinus Institute for Student Success, who will promptly review the charge and the evidence presented by the complainant.

The student’s formal grievance must clearly state:

• The name, address and phone number of the student.
• The name(s) of the individual(s) (if any) alleged to have engaged in the discriminatory conduct and any possible witnesses. 
• The dates of and location at which the alleged discriminatory conduct occurred.
• The basis and rationale for the grievance.
• The specific facts and/or policies supporting the student’s position
• The remedy and resolution desired by the student

The College Administrator or designee will:

• Undertake a prompt and expeditious investigation.
•  Interview all parties and obtain potentially relevant documents, information and witnesses.
• Interview witnesses as deemed necessary, and secure any relevant documentation (such as notes, e-mails, pictures, grades, etc.) and information.
• Respect privacy to the extent possible. Complainants must understand that the college cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality because it cannot conduct an effective investigation without revealing certain information to witnesses or respondents.
• Retain the right to inform persons who may have a need-to-know and to utilize information obtained during the investigation for legitimate College purposes.
• Abide by Federal/State laws and College Policy when reviewing the complaint.
• Act as an impartial fact finder in the matter.
• Render a written decision to all parties no later than 30 days after receiving the student’s grievance.

Appeal Process

Students who are dissatisfied with the resolution issued by the College administrator or their designee can request to appeal the decision. The request for appeal must be made in writing within five (5) business days of issuance of the decision and must provide new evidence or show initial decision was arbitrary and capricious.  The written appeal should be submitted to the appropriate Vice-President listed below:

Non Academic/ Student Life related appeals:
Vice-President of Campus and Community Engagement
Corson Hall 
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
Phone: 610-409-3590
Fax: 610-409-3555

Academic related appeals:
Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Corson Hall
601 E. Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
Phone: 610-409-3970
Fax: 610-409-3787

A written response will be issued within ten (10) business days after receipt of the request for reconsideration. The decision of the Vice-President reviewing the appeal is final.

Filing a grievance does not preclude or negate an individual’s right to file an ADA or Section 504 complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. 

U.S. Department of Education
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323

Telephone: (215) 656-8541
Facsimile: (215) 656-860
Email: OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov

Non-Retaliation 

Ursinus College strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who files or otherwise participates in the investigation of a disability-related grievance. Anyone who believes that they have been retaliated against for filing or otherwise participating in the investigation of a grievance should report the matter in writing to the Director of Disability Services. 

If an individual believes that the Director of Disability Services has engaged in retaliatory conduct, they should contact the Interim Dean of Students and Co-Director of Institute for Student Success.