Course Policy Flexibility (CPF) Accommodation Policy
If a qualified student with a disability believes it may not be possible to adhere to the stated expectations of a course due to disability-related reasons, SAS will facilitate an interactive process between the student and the instructor to address the student’s concerns while also upholding the learning outcomes of the course. Faculty members have the responsibility to uphold course learning outcomes as subject-matter experts, and significant consideration must be given to their preferred method of assessing those outcomes. Students whose disabilities may present barriers to completing coursework should discuss this accommodation with SAS as early in the semester as possible. Any assigned course policy flexibility accommodation does not apply to non-disability-related reasons. Students should refer to the Administrative Policy Regarding Class Attendance and Class Absences (3-01.2) for non-disability-related concerns.
Students may be made eligible for the Course Policy Flexibility (CPF) Accommodation through consultation with an SAS Access Consultant based on information provided by the student as well as through third-party documentation from an appropriate licensed provider. Students may receive one or more of the following accommodations that are covered under this umbrella:
- Course Policy Flexibility – Attendance and Deadlines
- Course Policy Flexibility – Deadlines
- Course Policy Flexibility – Groupwork and Participation
- Course Policy Flexibility – Presentations
CPF Agreement Process
The CPF Agreement is a written agreement between the instructor, the student, and SAS that outlines the flexibility available to the student for each course. The CPF Agreement is not retroactive, so students must initiate the CPF process prior to the start of the term or as soon as possible during the term when the accommodation is needed. This process is student-driven and begins only when the student completes the following steps.
Students must:
- Request the relevant CPF accommodation by sending their course accessibility letters (CALs) via Access KSU. Eligibility for this accommodation is determined on a case-by-case basis per the SAS accommodation request process.
- Initiate the CPF Agreement by completing the CPF Information Form. SAS will share the completed CPF Agreement via Kent State email with the instructor for their review. The instructor will have the opportunity to agree with the suggestions or to provide alternative suggestions for flexibility. After gathering all necessary information (including consultation with relevant academic administrators where necessary), SAS will offer guidance in determining reasonable flexibility and will make a final decision where necessary. SAS will share a completed CPF Agreement via Kent State email with both the student and instructor within seven business days of receiving all necessary information from the student and professor.
CPF Agreements
CPF Agreements should provide as much detail as possible and should outline the accommodation-related flexibility that is available to the student. This includes, but is not limited to, notification procedures for absences, timelines for deadline extensions, and alternative assessments. CPF accommodations are not designed to allow students to miss an unlimited number of classes, exams, assignments, or projects. Specific allowances should be listed in writing on the CPF Agreement. If a student misses a significant portion of the class or is unable to complete a significant portion of the course assignments, it may be necessary to revisit the CPF Agreement. Revisions may not be appropriate if they result in a fundamental alteration of the course learning outcomes, and the student may need to determine if it is in their best interest to stay enrolled in the course. Extensions beyond the posted dates of the term are at the discretion of the instructor in accordance with and subject to relevant university policies.
While SAS cannot guarantee an outcome that meets each student’s personal preferences, students with any CPF accommodation can be assured that SAS will consider all relevant information to determine reasonable access to appropriate accommodations. Students who do not agree with the proposed CPF Agreement may utilize the Student Appeal Process.
Determining Appropriateness of the CPF Accommodation
Instructors who feel that any flexibility could result in a fundamental alteration of the course learning outcomes must discuss their concerns with SAS. Kent campus faculty may schedule a consultation appointment or email SASflex@kent.edu. Regional campus faculty should contact the SAS Coordinator at their respective campus.
All CPF accommodations will follow the same interactive process between the student, SAS, and course instructor and may include academic administrators such as the department chair or program coordinator where applicable. Students should be aware that a CPF accommodation may not be reasonable in courses where the accommodation would lower essential academic standards, substantially modify the course or academic program, or impact course and/or academic program-related licensing requirements. If, after consulting with appropriate academic personnel, the CPF accommodation is determined to not be reasonable for a specific course, SAS will notify students of this determination in writing to their Kent State email address within a timely manner. SAS will also work with the student to determine what, if any, alternative accommodations may be provided to effectively address the student’s disability-related needs. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor and to utilize priority registration to maximize options including, but not limited to, taking the course in a future semester when their disability symptoms have improved if applicable, enrolling in the course with a different method of instruction, course withdrawal, or an appropriate course substitute.
If you have questions about this process, contact SAS at sas@kent.edu. If you are a regional campus student or faculty member, contact your SAS Coordinator.