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 student’s disability
Accommodations that the student has accessed in the past
Whether the requested accommodations allow the student to access and participate in the course or program
Whether the requested accommodations alter essential requirements of the course or program

Steps to Register for Academic Accommodations

Step 1: Complete academic accommodation application and submit documentation

Fill out the application and upload your documentation to our online accommodation system using the following link: Academic Accommodations Application. If this is your first time requesting accommodations, submit documentation at least 2 weeks before your first examination. We advise that admitted students start this process by June 1.

Supporting documentation should include:

Specific diagnosis
Licensing and experience of healthcare professional
Major life activities impacted
List of accommodations needed to participate in Pitzer’s student life

Find documentation guidelines here.

Step 2: Set up an appointment with PASS

Email us at academicsupport@pitzer.edu to set up a time to meet with our staff. We will review your accommodations, discuss the process, and answer questions. You are responsible for setting up this appointment to establish your accommodations.

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

Once registered with PASS, each semester students will need to log into their accommodation portal to request their accommodations for their new courses. Please request your accommodations at least one week before your examinations.

Accommodation Portal Login

You can find a step-by-step guide on how to request your accommodation letter in the portal at the following link: How to request your accommodations for the semester [PDF].

If you use exam accommodations, you’ll also use the portal to schedule exams with the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC). Pitzer students should schedule their accommodated exams at least seven business days before the exam. This is to ensure there is enough room and time to accommodate the request.

A step-by-step guide on scheduling exams with the SDRC can be found at this link: How to Schedule Exams [PDF].

If you have notetaking accommodations, you will also need to request notes each semester. You can find the step-by-step instructions on requesting notetaking at this link: How to Request Notes [PDF].

Step 4: Follow up on any accommodation logistics

If you have any concerns, questions, or difficulties, please contact PASS as soon as possible. This way, we can ensure that we render your accommodations in a timely manner. We will quickly do our best to facilitate the accommodation process and offer support.

Failure to follow these timelines may result in the College being unable to provide the requested assistance in a timely manner. Accommodations are not retroactive. Both our office and faculty must have sufficient time to implement the accommodations.

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
Undue delay in documentation
Late addition of a course

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

Examples of Academic Accommodations

We provide a wide array of accommodations and services. Listed below are examples of what PASS can provide:

Notetaking support
Extended time on exams
Private test area for exams
Assistive Technology
Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC)

Student Disability Resource Center

The Student Disability Resource Center is for students with disabilities across the 7C campuses. The SDRC works with the disability coordinators on all the campuses. Together, they ensure that students receive academic support services and accommodations to empower them to achieve their academic goals. The SDRC also ensures equitable treatment and access to all programs and activities across all campuses. For more information, please visit the SDRC website.

Placement Exam Accommodations – Incoming First-Year Students

Please note that some but not all placement exams are untimed. If you are an incoming first-year student and need accommodations, please contact PASS.

Additional Information

In high school, services were implemented by a team of educators and parents to promote your success. When you enter college, the responsibility shifts. You must contact PASS to arrange access.

This is a fundamental change in the way that you relate to instructors and advisers. As a college student, you will now initiate all services and accommodations. Self-advocacy will play a bigger role. Students must be able to describe their disability, identify strengths and weaknesses, and identify any accommodations needed and how to be a competent self-advocate. For more information, visit the following links:

Differences between high school and college disability services [PDF]

Differences between high school and college for students with disabilities [PDF]

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.