St. Mary’s College of Maryland is committed to providing access to all students who are eligible for support under the guidance of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Approved accommodations are determined on an individual basis through our interactive process with each student.
Our office provides accommodations for the academic, residential, and dining experience. Students must share their accommodations letter with each of their instructors if they wish to use their accommodations in that course. Accommodations are active after a student shares their letter with their instructor. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations are supports which are designed to give better access to the academic experience inside and outside of the classroom. Academic accommodations can look different for each student depending on their needs and what barriers they may face. Accommodations may even look different for an individual student from one semester to another. After a student registers with our office, they will be asked to complete an interactive meeting with a member of our staff. This meeting helps us to better understand the student’s strengths, barriers, and strategies and how they relate to their disability or disabling health condition. A list of questions we ask is provided prior to this meeting.
Residential Accommodations
For most housing accommodation requests, decisions are made through the Housing Accommodation Committee (HAC). HAC includes staff members from Residence Life, Counselling Services and the Wellness Center. After a student registers with our office, they will be asked to complete an interactive meeting with a member of OAS staff. A list of questions we ask is provided before this meeting. After the meeting, the student’s self report will anonymously be presented to the committee members for decision-making. Housing accommodation requests can be made at any time of the year, however, placements are dependent on availability.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal selected for an individual with a disability by a healthcare or mental health professional to play a significant part in a person’s treatment process. An ESA does not assist a person with a disability with activities of daily living, and does not accompany a person with a disability at all times. An ESA is not a Service Animal.
Students requesting an ESA must get approval from the Office of Accessibility Services and register the ESA with the Office of Residence Life before bringing the ESA to campus. Depending on the circumstances, the Housing Accommodations Committee may be required to review the information or the Office of Residence Life may be consulted prior to a decision being made.
Process of Obtaining Approval
- Students requesting an ESA must complete an Accommodation Request for the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS).
- Students must submit supporting documentation from their health care provider. We have provided the Emotional Support Animal Request for Information Form for convenience. The health care provider is not required to use this specific form; however, all the information requested is essential to evaluate the request for an ESA.
- The student requesting the ESA will meet with a staff member from OAS to discuss the ESA request. A list of questions we ask will be provided before the meeting.
- If approved, the student will work with the Office of Residence Life for further instructions as to how to proceed in bringing their animal on campus. The student will be required to submit two forms to the Office of Residence Life:
- Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Agreement and Registration will be shared with the student to review and sign (annually)
- Vet Verification Form (annually)
- Alternative housing assignments may be considered for factors such as allergies.
If there is a concern about the safety of yourself, others, or the animal on campus, please contact the Office of Residence Life or Public Safety.
Service Animal
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the College’s policy that individuals with a disability that require the assistance of a Service Animal may be accompanied by a Service Animal anywhere on the St. Mary’s campus. A service animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities and do not need to wear any type of identifier such as a vest or tag. The sole exception to this policy is situations where the College determines that the presence of a service animal would “fundamentally alter” the program, service, or activity taking place on campus. In those situations, however, the College will make all reasonable efforts to provide the affected individual with an alternative means of experiencing the program, service, or activity. For more information on Service Animals and SMCM’s policy, refer to the To The Point Handbook section on Service Animals.
Dietary Needs
For specific dietary restrictions due to a disabling health condition, OAS facilitates dining management plans. After registering and meeting with OAS, we work with the student and the manager of our dining facilities to explore their capacity to accommodate a specific dining need. For suspected allergic reactions or cross contamination while dining in the Great Room, contact our office.
Students with meal plan accommodations can modify their plan at any time up to two weeks before the end of the semester. Contact the Office of Residence Life for pro-rated billing information.
Accommodations for a temporary conditions
For temporary conditions such as recovery after surgery, injury, or concussion, we may be able to identify temporary accommodations. Please note we may require documentation from a provider which speaks to your limitations and planned recovery process.
Hospitalizations or family emergencies
If you have experienced a family emergency or a hospitalization not related to a disability or disabling health condition, please contact the Office of Student Success Services (OS3) at studentsuccessservices@smcm.edu.