St. Cloud State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for enrolled or admitted students, applicants, or employees who have documented disabilities under:
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program service, job, activity, or facility that enables a qualified individual with a disability to have an equal opportunity. In other words, they should be able to attain the same level of performance or enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to a similarly situated individual without a disability
Accommodations may be individualized or flexible as needed based on the nature of the disability, the environment, the resources or equipment available, barriers, or other factors.
The university follows Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board policies on provisions for reasonable accommodations. SCSU will strive to find effective and reasonable accommodations unless providing such accommodations would cause undue hardship (significant difficulty or expense to the university).
Persons seeking accommodation can make their needs known through the various processes and resources that St. Cloud State University provides found under each of the audiences below.Title I of the ADA and the Minnesota Human Rights Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in employment against a qualified individual with a disability. St. Cloud State University aims to provide reasonable accommodations in an equitable manner to applicants and employees who meet the ADA qualifications and have made their needs known. The ADA Designated Coordinator for employees is:
Chief Human Resource Officer
Administrative Services Building, 204
(320) 308-3203 (Voice)
humanresources@stcloudstate.edu
Individuals seeking employment at SCSU who may require accommodation in the application or interview process should contact the ADA Designated Coordinator for employees listed above. For complaints or appeals concerning the accommodation decision, contact the ADA Designated Coordinator for job applicant appeals below:
Chocoletta A. Simpson
Director of Equal Opportunity
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion & Title IX Coordinator
Administrative Services Building, 102
(320) 308-5123 (Voice)
oea@stcloudstate.edu
Employees requesting a preference or desired working condition may work with their supervisor who will analyze the request, the available budget, and other factors to make a final decision (i.e. requesting a lift desk because you enjoy standing). These requests are not ADA related and are not held to the ADA terms or appeal requirements.
Employees seeking accommodation due to a disability should route all requests through Human Resources (i.e. requesting a lift desk because you have a disability or medical condition that requires you to stand a certain percentage of the day).
Complete the following forms:
Meet or consult with Human Resources as needed to provide clarity or additional information. Human Resources will review essential functions of the position and seek information from medical providers if needed. They may also meet with the employee’s supervisor to gain additional knowledge about the work functions and work area.
If the employee is ADA qualified and the accommodation is not an undue hardship, Human Resources will work with the supervisor to determine an accommodation. Facilities Management may have funds for some accommodations, but other expenses not covered by those funds must come from the department of the employee.
The accommodation decision will be provided by Human Resources in writing/email. The accommodation may not always be exactly what was requested, but will meet the needs of the request. Sometimes the request is denied.
To express a complaint or appeal the decision, complete an ADA Appeal Form within 7 business days of receiving the written response to the request. Send the form to the ADA Designated Coordinator for employee appeals:
Chocoletta A. Simpson
Director of Equal Opportunity
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion & Title IX Coordinator
Administrative Services Building, 102
(320) 308-5123 (Voice)
oea@stcloudstate.edu
In cases where there is a conflict of interest or the Equity & Access Officer is unavailable, direct the appeal form to the Office of the President where it will be processed by a university administrator or delegee. The appeal will be processed within 14 business days of receipt and the final decision will be submitted in writing/email to the employee, their supervisor, and Human Resources.
Faculty wishing to seek their own accommodation(s) should refer to the Employees section above.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will establish communication with each faculty member regarding the provision of students’ accommodations each semester.
Faculty and staff resources, including sample syllabus language, accommodation suggestions, and FAQs can also be found on the SAS website.
St. Cloud State University is committed to providing an inclusive environment. Our Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office is here to help. Enrolled and admitted students should sign up with SAS for accommodations. The ADA Designated Coordinator for students is:
Student Accessibility Services Director
Centennial Hall, 202
(320) 308-4080 (TTY or Voice) or (320) 308-3117
sas@stcloudstate.edu
Support for accommodations are determined on a case by case basis. Visit the SAS website to access any required forms and learn more about student ADA accommodations and the student ADA complaint and appeals process. Appeals for students are handled by the VP for the Division of Student Affairs.
St. Cloud State University works to provide feasible options for accessibility to campus events that are open to the public.
Visit the Reasonable Accommodations for Members of the Public page to make an accommodation request or for information about complaints and appeals.From time to time, a requestor will be disappointed with the outcome of an accommodation request. This is not the same thing as being discriminated against and should be managed through the complaints and appeals processes outlined in the Members of the Public, Students, and Employees sections above.
If you feel you have been discriminated, harassed, and/or retaliated against on the basis of a disability you may discuss your situation and/or file a complaint by contacting the Office for Institutional Equity & Access at 320-308-5123 or submit a meeting request form.
If your discrimination complaint is about an Office of Institutional Equity & Access employee please direct your written complaint to the Office of the President.
For definitions and more information about discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and the process St. Cloud State uses to investigate complaints, please refer to the Minnesota State System Board Policy 1B.1.
Members of the public, employees, and students may also pursue state and federal disability discrimination complaint options.St. Cloud State University is committed to ensuring that all information regarding a student, applicant, or employee is maintained as confidential as required or permitted by law.
Documentation to support an accommodation for a student is protected by FERPA and the MN Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) and will not be shared without the student’s consent except among university employees who need to know or when an exception, permitted by FERPA, is made.
Documentation to support an accommodation for an employee, including a graduate student, is protected data under the MN Government Data Practices Act and will not be shared except with other employees as needed to perform their work.
For more information about FERPA, FERPA exceptions, and MGDPA, please visit SCSU’s Data Privacy and Data Practices.Disability Parking – Refer to the Handicap Parking Spaces section of the Parking Policy/Procedure and contact the Parking Office at 320-308-3453 with questions or requests.
Public Safety Escort Service and other assistance.
Student Accessibility Services is a great resource for information about accommodations, navigating the post-secondary environment, and other accessibility services.
Telecommunications – Contact Student Accessibility Services or the University Library for information about available video relay phones.
CAREERwise – A Minnesota State career and education resource offers a guide to programs, products, and services for people with disabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – Enforces federal laws related to discrimination against job applicants or employees.
MetroBus Dial-A-Ride Service – is a great option for individuals who may be unable to transfer into a Public Safety escort vehicle or may need to travel off campus.
Minnesota Department of Human Resources (MDHR) – Enforces the Minnesota Human Rights Act which includes protections against discrimination in education.
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)– scroll down to the Individuals with Disabilities Resources section.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Enforces federal civil rights laws and other laws that protect rights of nondiscrimination, freedom, and privacy.