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Academic Accommodations

Pitzer Academic Support Services (PASS) is committed to meeting students’ needs. PASS strives for inclusion and access to all Pitzer classes, programs, and activities. We do so through reasonable accommodations or redesigning aspects of the campus experience.

Requesting Academic Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are determined after an individualized assessment. Among the factors considered are:

  • The nature of the students disability
  • Whether the requested accommodation facilitates access to participate in a course or program
  • Whether the requested accommodation fundamentally alters the requirements of a course or program

 

Steps to Register for Academic Accommodations

Step 1: Complete application and submit documentation

Fill out the application and upload your documentation in the PASS Portal using the following link: Academic Accommodations Application

To ensure timely support, accommodations must be in place at least 2 weeks prior to the date they are needed. We advise that admitted students start this process by June 1.
View the Disability Verification Form [PDF]

Please note that a diagnosis and documentation alone do not guarantee accommodations.

Find documentation guidelines here

Step 2: Set up an appointment with PASS

Schedule your Academic Accommodation Consultation with PASS using the link provided in your confirmation email after submitting your application. During this meeting, we will review your requested accommodations, explain the process, and answer any questions. Please remember that you are responsible for scheduling this appointment to finalize your accommodations.

Step 3: Request your accommodation letter in the portal each semester

Each semester, students registered with PASS must log in to the accommodation portal to request accommodations for new courses. To ensure timely support, accommodations must be in place at least 2 weeks prior to the date they are needed.

Accommodation Portal Login

Step 4: Follow up on any accommodation logistics

If you have any concerns or difficulties, contact PASS as soon as possible so we can support you and ensure timely accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive, and both our office and faculty require sufficient time to implement them.

Extenuating circumstances are determined by our office. These circumstances can include:

  • Sudden acute onset of a psychological condition
  • Hospitalization
  • Flare up of an existing disability
  • Injury
  • Recent onset of a disability or disability-related complications

In such circumstances, Academic Support Services will assist with accommodations and support.

 

Student Disability Resource Center

The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) supports students with disabilities across the 7c campuses in partnership with campus accessibility offices. Together, they provide accommodations and academic support. For more information, visit the SDRC website.

Placement Exam Accommodations

Incoming first-year students, please note that some but not all placement exams are untimed. If you need accommodations, please contact PASS at academicsupport@pitzer.edu.

Additional Information

In high school, services were coordinated by educators and parents to support your success. In college, the responsibility shifts. You must contact pass to arrange access to accommodations through the process above. This change requires greater self-advocacy, as you are expected to initiate services, communicate your needs, and work with instructors and advisors. Students should be able to describe their disability and recognize strengths and challenges. 

PASS is here to support you through this transition.

Next:

Academics

  • Course schedules in college are different than high school. Classes can vary in length and days per week. You may have a Tuesday/Thursday class that is 90 minutes long and a Monday class that meets for three hours once per week.
  • Students must keep track of important dates and manage their time. You’ll be responsible for scheduling your time to complete assignments, study, eat meals, and have fun.
  • Professors won’t be checking in with you to make sure you’re working on assignments. Often they won’t remind you of due dates or exam dates. Most professors will provide all due dates in advance in the course syllabus that you’ll receive on the first day.
  • Instructors often plan their courses so that students do a lot of their learning outside of class. This includes acquiring knowledge and facts from outside reading and library research.
  • Most successful students expect to spend two to three hours of studying for each hour they are in class. Students with disabilities may need to plan on a few more hours.
  • Be prepared for the first round of tests. They are often very different than students expect. Don’t wait to get help! Go to the professor’s office hours. Use tutoring, the writing center, and academic coaching.
  • Professors in different courses usually schedule tests without regard to the demands of other courses or outside activities.
  • Professors may not follow the textbook. Instead, to amplify the text, they may give illustrations, provide background information, or discuss research about the topic you are studying. Or they may expect you to relate the lectures/class discussions to the textbook readings.
  • Professors expect you to get from classmates any notes from classes you missed.
  • Professors are usually open and helpful. However, most expect you to initiate contact if you need assistance.
  • Testing is usually infrequent and may be cumulative, covering large amounts of material. You need to organize the material to prepare for the test. A particular course may have only two or three tests in a semester.

Pitzer students have access to academic coaching and other resources. An academic coach focuses on helping you with learning strategies and life management skills. This empowers you to successfully manage academic demands.

Life Skills

  • Students who begin college after high school may not only be adjusting to a new learning environment but also a new city and friends.
  • It may be the first time they are living on their own. They may need to learn to budget their money, cook, maintain an apartment, do laundry, and learn how to live with a roommate.
  • Students will need to learn how to manage/handle conflict, whether with a roommate, classmate, or group. 

Pitzer students have access to many resources to support mental health and wellness. These resources help navigate difficult life situations that might come up while in college.