Students > Overview of Services

Overview of Academic Success Program

The Academic Success Program is here to serve you – the students.  There is no “one way” to take advantage of what our office offers.  Some students only come in once each semester to get approved for accommodations.  Other students don’t need accommodations, but want to work on learning strategies or to do coaching with one of the specialists.  Some students use us for both accommodations and services.  It’s up to you to decide what will best meet your needs.

Working with a Learning Specialist

  • Once you have become eligible, you will be assigned to work with one of the Learning Disabilities Specialists who will be your primary contact in the Academic Success Program. 
  • Your specialist is available to problem-solve and trouble-shoot with you as well.  If you are concerned about a class or a professor, if don’t feel as if your accommodation is helping or if you want to discuss a different accommodation, talk to your specialist.
  • Your specialist can also direct you to other resources on campus.

Accommodations

Accommodations are intended to provide you with “equal access” to learning.

For each semester in which you are seeking accommodations, you will meet with your learning specialist who will make accommodation decisions (with your input) regarding each of your classes.  These decisions are made based on the impact of your disability and the information provided in your report. 

Typical accommodations include:

  • Extended test time
  • Reduced-distraction test setting
  • Access to class notes
  • Use of a text-reader (software program which provides audio version of electronic text) for reading assignments and/or exams
  • Use of a computer for written exams
  • Priority registration (read about the Priority Registration policy changes beginning in the spring 08 semester)

Some students receive additional accommodations which the ASP office can support, but are not our decision to make:

  • Course under-load
    • If we believe that a student's disability impacts their ability to successfully manage a full courseload, we might suggest that you pursue a course underload.
    • The University Appeals Committee has the authority to approve such a request; ASP can write a letter in support of your pursuit of this, but ultimately the decision is not ours to make.
  • Alternative test format
    • ASP can work with you and your professor in pursuing alternate formats in which to take exams. Ultimately, however, the professor has the right to adhere to a test format of his/her choice.

Services

Co-Active Coaching

  • Coaching is a creative and action-oriented partnership designed between you and your coach.
  • Through coaching, you deepen your learning about yourself, your values and ambitions which helps to propel you forward in reaching your goals. 
  • You choose the focus of the coaching (ex: academics, relationships, career, personal growth, money, and health)
  • With your coach, you design the structure and format of your sessions (in-person, phone, email, etc.).
  • Coaching is not therapy or counseling.  One of the most important principles in coaching is the belief that you are the expert on your own life and that you are creative, resourceful and whole.  Coaches do not provide solutions and strategies for you; they are trained to listen and ask questions in a way which will elicit solutions and strategies from you.
  • The Academic Success Program is one of the first university offices in the country to provide this service.  One staff member has completed the extensive training program; two staff members have also completed the training program and went on to earn their professional coaching certification

Learning Strategies

Either one-one-one or in a group, work with a specialist to:

  • develop ways to get the most out of your textbooks
  • find new ways to manage your time
  • improve your note-taking skills
  • improve any particular aspect of the writing process
  • improve how you study for and take tests

Disability Awareness/Self-Advocacy

  • Go over your psycho-educational evaluation with your specialist to help understand what it and your disability means.
  • Develop a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so that you can make informed decisions around classes, scheduling, career, etc.
  • Develop the necessary advocacy skills in order to speak to professors, TAs, friends – (everyone!) – about your specific needs.

Participate in a group focused on broader topics, including:

  • Stress management and strategies for balancing life
  • Breaking addictions
  • Getting accommodations for MCATs, LSATs, GREs, etc.
  • Assistive technology
  • Peer Support/Mentoring