Appeals

Academic Appeals 

Oberlin College is committed to providing opportunities for personal growth and civil discourse, and this process is viewed in those terms. If a student wishes to request an administrative review of their accommodation determination, they must make the request directly and in writing to ODA@oberlin.edu. Students are expected to be the leading participant in conversations. Therefore, while parents may participate in the iterative process with an appropriate signed release, students must be present for all exchanges and discussions, be fully involved in all dialogue, and be included in all electronic communications. Parental participation in the appeals process will not serve as a replacement for a student's involvement. Once an appeal request is submitted in writing to the above email address, instructions for the next steps will be sent via email response to the student. 

If a student disagrees with an academic accommodation determination, the following appeals process must be followed. After each meeting, the student will receive a written summary of the conversation and the outcome.*

1.) Students must schedule and attend an appointment with the Assistant Dean and Director of the Office for Disability & Access (ODA). If the Assistant Dean and Director of ODA upholds the initial determination of the student’s accommodation request, the student’s appeal may continue at the second step.

2.) If, after meeting with the Assistant Dean and Director of ODA, the student wishes to pursue further redress, the student must schedule an appointment with the Assistant Vice President (AVP) and Dean for Intercultural Engagement (CIE). To schedule this appointment, students need to contact ODA@oberlin.edu.

3.) If the student wishes to pursue further redress after meeting with the AVP and Dean for CIE, the student must schedule an appointment with the campus ADA coordinator, Rebecca Mosley. Mosely oversees the Oberlin College Policy on Discrimination and Harassment and will review the matter with this Policy in mind. Mosely will also review the case to ensure that appropriate academic adjustments or accommodations are available to our community. Mosley's determination will serve as the college's final determination. 

*Understand that if you have new information unavailable at the time of the original request, please submit it to the Office for Disability and Access for a re-review of your request. An appeal would not be appropriate in this case.

Truthful and Accurate information

Inaccurate or false allegations can harm the individuals involved and the college community. Individuals who make false allegations within their accommodation request or grievance process are subject to discipline.

 

Housing and Dining Accommodation Appeals

If the Housing Accommodation Review Committee finds that a requested accommodation is unreasonable or not necessary, the student may file a written appeal with the Assistant Dean and Director with the Office for Disability & Access. Students will receive information about the reconsideration process upon receiving a denial notification. Students should be advised that there is only one reconsideration opportunity: the final decision regarding the request.

Process:

1. Request an appeal meeting with the Assistant Dean and Director in the Office for Disability & Access (ODA) within five (5) business days of receiving the decision email from ODA. This meeting can be in-person, via Zoom, or a phone call.

2. The appeal must be based upon one of the following criteria*:

• Procedural error(s) made in consideration of the request
• The Housing Accommodation Review Committee improperly or unfairly reviewed the original request

3. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Assistant Dean and Director will review all the relevant information and provide a written response within seven (7) to ten (10) business days, either granting the appeal and modifying the initial decision, or denying the appeal and maintaining the initial decision.

Nothing in the policy shall prohibit a student who believes they may have been subjected to disability discrimination from utilizing Oberlin College & Conservatory’s Section 504 Grievance Procedures or pursuing a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

* Understand that if you have new information unavailable at the time of the original request, please submit it to the Office for Disability and Access for a re-review of your request. An appeal would not be appropriate in this case.