Student Policies

In most cases, class attendance is critical to a student’s mastery of the knowledge and/or skills that are taught in a specific course. Students are typically expected to follow the attendance policy established by the instructor in each class; however, the University recognizes that there may be times when a student with a disability cannot attend class because of disability related reasons.

1. Butler University makes every effort to reasonably accommodate a student’s disability related needs. A reasonable accommodation does not fundamentally alter the nature of the academic course; academic requirements are not generally waived, and students are typically required to fulfill all course requirements.
2. If a student believes it is not possible to abide by the attendance policy because of a diagnosed disability, the student should contact Student Disability Services (SDS) at the start of the semester or as soon as possible after the need for the exception to the policy arises. As with all possible accommodations, students will need to submit completed documentation of the disability from an appropriate clinician. For additional information regarding documentation guidelines, contact SDS in Jordan Hall 136 or refer to butler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/student-disability-services/. A student whose disability related symptoms start to impact class attendance is advised to stay in close communication with SDS to help ensure they receive any necessary support and to also help ensure their individual circumstances can be reviewed and appropriately addressed. Professors are also encouraged to contact SDS with any attendance related concerns.
3. As with all disability related accommodations, the attendance accommodation will be determined on an individual, case-by-case basis depending on:
   • the extent to which the submitted documentation supports the need for an attendance accommodation, and
   • the individual requirements, fundamental nature, and essential elements associated with each specific course; discussion between SDS and the course instructor is typically required to determine to what extent the attendance accommodation needs to be applied.
4. Again, it is critical for SDS and faculty members to communicate regarding essential or fundamental academic course requirements as they relate to a student with a disability. If a concern arises regarding the number of absences in the course, SDS will aid in determining appropriate and reasonable outcomes. Faculty are strongly encouraged to contact SDS to discuss these concerns. Students are required to fulfill all course requirements and will be held to the same evaluation standards as specified in the course syllabus. It is recommended to state the course’s specific attendance requirements on the course syllabus prior to the start of the course so students are aware of the course requirements well before the drop deadline. Since course attendance policies may not be rigidly applied for students with an attendance accommodation, the following questions need to be considered to equitably assess this student’s attendance. SDS can assist in determining the answers to the following questions:
   • An attendance accommodation does not mean that unlimited absences are permitted. The attendance accommodation is in place only for those absences related to the student’s disability and to the point at which absences do not represent a fundamental alteration of the course. The number of absences a student may take as a reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis through conversation between SDS and each course instructor, depending on the student’s individual disability, the nature of the course, and the degree to which class attendance is an essential requirement of the specific course.
5. Students who are approved for an attendance accommodation are advised to contact instructors as soon as they are able regarding their disability related absence and related make-up work. Given the chronic nature of many conditions, it is not generally necessary or appropriate for the student to visit a clinician or receive a doctor’s note in order to substantiate each absence. SDS is available to assist faculty in the event a student misses an exam due to a disability related absence. In the event that a student is approved for an attendance accommodation mid-semester, it is important to be aware that accommodations are not retro-active. If a student with a new attendance accommodation has already missed a considerable amount of class, faculty are encouraged to connect with SDS to determine what is reasonable.
6. In spite of accommodation, students should be aware that absences may still have a negative impact on their academic performance due to missing content and experiential learning while in the classroom. For this reason, students should make every attempt to attend class and to observe deadlines for submission of assignments. Additionally, students are still responsible for completing all assignments and communicating directly with faculty about absences.

Please contact SDS in Jordan Hall 136 with questions or concerns.

General Curriculum

Course requirements for degrees granted by Butler University are designed to provide a comprehensive education in both general liberal arts and in the student’s major field of study. In awarding a degree, Butler University is recognizing the satisfactory completion of a set of courses it deems representative of the academic standards it upholds. In addition, all admitted students are regarded as “otherwise qualified” to participate in any program of academic study with or without reasonable accommodations. Therefore, students with disabilities are not excused from degree requirements.

However, in some limited circumstances, substitution of a course requirement may be determined to be a reasonable and appropriate accommodation for a student with a properly documented disability. An accommodation of this nature is considered only when it has been confirmed that the student’s disability makes completion of the requirement impossible. Consideration of a course substitution is done on a case-by-case basis. Course waivers are not typically granted.

Gaining approval for a course substitution is often a lengthy process. Therefore, it is recommended that the student initiate the request early in the academic career. In most cases, it will be necessary for the student to have declared a major before the request can be considered. This will allow a determination to be made as to whether or not the requested course substitution represents a fundamental alteration in the chosen field of study. The University retains the right to revoke a substitution in the event that the student changes majors and the substituted course is found to be essential to the newly declared major field of study. In addition, it is difficult to guarantee a course substitution to a student who is not yet enrolled in the University.

The final decision regarding a course substitution will rest with the dean of the student’s college except when the request involves a core requirement. In the case of a core requirement, the final decision will be made by the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In the event that the student has declared a double major, the final authority regarding the course substitution rests with the dean of the college whose course requirement is in question.

A student with a disability who would like to request a course substitution as a reasonable accommodation should:

1. Submit the appropriate written documentation verifying a disability that substantially limits the skills required for the successful completion of the required course. Please refer to the University Documentation Guidelines for information as to what constitutes appropriate written documentation. The documentation should be submitted to the office of Student Disability Services in Jordan Hall Room 136.
2. Complete a Course Substitution Petition and write a statement describing difficulties encountered in past attempts to perform successfully within the subject area. The student should explain how the disability has impacted these attempts. If attempts were made to complete the requirement in a course offered at Butler University, the professor’s comments may be a valuable contribution to the petition decision. Comments might include the professor’s observations about the student’s efforts in the course, whether or not the student made use of the professor’s office hours, and any accommodations that may have been utilized. This statement should be submitted to the Director of Student Disability Services in Jordan Hall Room 136.
3. Give written permission for the Director of Student Disability Services to share relevant disability related information with appropriate faculty/staff members as part of the decision-making process.

A committee consisting of no less than three but not more than five members of the university community will then review the student’s request. Committee members will include but are not limited to: representatives of the dean’s office, of the department of the course in question, of the students college and the director of Student Disability Services. Other individuals relevant to the requirement may also be included. The committee will be convened by the director of Student Disability Services.

A statement outlining the findings of the committee and suggesting course substitution alternatives, if applicable, will be directed to relevant faculty/staff. This generally includes the student’s academic advisor, the director of Student Disability Services, the dean of the college of the student’s major(s), and if applicable, the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The student will be notified in writing by the dean’s office of the final decision. Written notification will be issued within thirty days of the committee meeting. If the petition is not felt to be a reasonable accommodation and as a result, is denied, the student has the right to appeal the decision by following the grievance procedures that are available through the Office of Student Disability Services.

Specific Guidelines: Foreign Language Substitution

A student must follow the general procedure required to request a course substitution. If the substitution is approved, the suggested foreign language substitution is: four 3-credit courses (6 credits of which must be on the 200 level or higher) focusing on the culture of countries other than the United States. Culture is defined broadly, so the courses can deal with history, literature, politics, religion, music, etc. as long as the subject matter deals with non-English speaking countries.

The choice of the courses is suggested by the student. However, core courses which are being used to fulfill the core requirement CANNOT also count as foreign language substitution courses. Similarly, courses taken for the major or minor CANNOT also be used as foreign language substitution courses.

Each individual course taken as a substitution must be approved by the department chair of Modern Foreign Languages. Therefore, each semester the student should make an appointment with the department head to discuss the appropriateness of each course before enrolling in it.

Contact SDS for information on the process for submitting paperwork for each approved substitution course.

If you have any questions please contact:

Student Disability Services
Jordan Hall, Room 136
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Phone: 317-940-9308
Fax: 317-940-9036
sds@butler.edu

Butler University desires to have an educational and working environment free from discrimination. Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable behavior at Butler; it is inconsistent with the commitment to excellence that characterizes Butler University’s activities. There are policies specifically covering all civil rights matters for all faculty, students, and staff when a complaint is brought to the attention of the University.

View the full Sexual Misconduct Policy and Addressing Incidents of Bias the Butler Way.