Assignment Extensions

Assignment Extensions:

In general, deadlines for out of class assignments are set by the instructor and reflected on the course syllabus. All students, regardless of disability, are expected to fulfil the essential requirements of a course/program, which may include successful completion of assignments. However, some students may have unpredictable, episodic, or fluctuating disabilities that may require the consideration of a modest level of flexibility in assigned due dates.

The purpose of assignment extensions is to allow the increased symptoms of the disability to dissipate so that the student is evaluated on the understanding of course content, not the impact of their disability.

The due dates for most assignments should be listed on the course syllabus that is distributed at the beginning of the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to practice effective time management and consider how the disability impacts their ability to function in the academic environment. It is expected that the student will work proactively on assignments and plan to complete the assignment by the original due date. However, some assignments are given with little advanced notice and/or the student may experience an increase in symptoms which may impact their ability to function in the academic environment. In these cases, faculty must consider if they are able to accommodate the impact of the disability by offering a short-term assignment extension or if allowing an extension would fundamentally alter the goals of the course and curriculum.

While assignment extensions may be approved as a reasonable accommodation by the Center for Accessibility Services, assignment extensions are granted at the discretion of the faculty member and are to be applied on a case-by-case basis for individual assignments. Assignment extensions do not automatically apply to all assignments, nor are assignment extensions unlimited. A student with Assignment Extension as an approved accommodation is still responsible for completing the essential requirements of the course as outlined on the course syllabus and completing all assignments, assessments, and activities.

If an instructor believes that an Assignment Extension will fundamentally alter the nature of their course/program course, they are expected to contact the student’s Access Specialist immediately. Instructors are expected to thoughtfully consider how modest flexibility to deadlines will impact the course, and, if necessary, to articulate why flexibility in course deadlines is not reasonable.

What is Considered a Reasonable Assignment Extension:

What is considered a reasonable Assignment Extension will vary based on the goals of the assignment and essential requirements of each course. As the content expert in the area, the faculty member/department is the best resource for determining the length of a reasonable, short-term Assignment Extension. While there may be different extension lengths between assignments, a standard Assignment Extension is 24-48 hours beyond the original due date stated on the syllabus or announced in class. It is at the instructor’s discretion to determine if a Assignment Extension is appropriate, and the specific length of an individual Assignment Extension.

It is expected that the student will work proactively on assignments and plan to complete the assignment by the original due date listed in the syllabus. However, some assignments are given with little advanced notice and/or the student may experience an increase in symptoms which may impact their ability to function in the academic environment. In these cases, faculty must consider if they are able to accommodate the impact of the disability by offering a short-term assignment extension or if allowing an extension would fundamentally alter the goals of the course and curriculum.

While assignment extensions may be approved as a reasonable accommodation by the Center for Accessibility Services, assignment extensions are granted at the discretion of the faculty member and are to be applied on a case-by-case basis for individual assignments. Assignment extensions do not automatically apply to all assignments, nor are assignment extensions unlimited. A student with Assignment Extension as an approved accommodation is still responsible for completing the essential requirements of the course as outlined on the course syllabus and completing all assignments, assessments, and activities.

When requesting an Assignment Extension, a student should contact the instructor within the agreed upon amount of time. If an Assignment Extension is approved for a specific assignment, the instructor should specify how much time is being granted and the specific date/time by which the student must turn in the assignment. Always include a student’s Access Specialist in written communication regarding an Assignment Extension. 

Understanding the Limitations of a Assignment Extension:

• As with all accommodations, assignment extensions are not retroactive. Assignment extensions may not be applied to assignments or activities completed prior to the implementation of an Access Plan.
• Assignment extensions are not unlimited, nor are they meant to create a parallel curriculum for the student. If an Assignment Extension is approved for a specific assignment, the instructor should specify how much time is being granted and the specific date/time by which the student must turn in the assignment.
• If the student is unable to complete the assignment by the due date extended by the instructor, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding next steps.
• If an assignment is not submitted by the agreed upon extended deadline, the student does not contact the instructor regarding the possibility of an Assignment Extension within a timely manner, or an assignment is submitted late for non-disability related reasons, the work is subject to any late work policy outlined in the course syllabus. (Ex: 10 points off the overall assignment grade for each calendar day the assignment is late).

When Assignment Extensions May Not Be Reasonable:

It is not reasonable or expected for faculty to fundamentally alter, waive or lower essential course requirements, academic standards, or educational experiences/outcomes when attempting to accommodate extension requests.

Please remember that assignment extensions are not to be used on all assignments, as there may be assignments that must be completed by the established deadline in order to meet the requirements of the course. If the student needs significantly more time to complete assignments than what has been deemed reasonable by the instructor or medical needs are severely impacting the student’s ability to meet the essential requirements of the course, the student may consider:

• Withdrawing from the course.
• Seeking assistance from the Dean of Student’s Office to explore options.
• Speaking to the instructor of department regarding the possibility of continuing the course as an independent study (at the discretion of the instructor or department).
• Speaking to the instructor or department regarding the possibility of seeking an Incomplete grade.

Access Specialist/Center for Accessibility Services Responsibilities for Assignment Extension:

• Review student application and any supporting documentation. Collaborate with the student via the interactive process to determine the        most reasonable accommodation.
• If Assignment Extension is determined to be the most effective accommodation in eliminating or lessening a barrier, the Access Specialist will      generate an Access Plan on behalf of the student.
• The Access Specialist will send the Assignment Extension Plan to the student for review via email. 

Student Responsibilities for Assignment extensions:

• Submit a CAS Application for Services. If you have already been approved for accommodations through CAS, but are requesting assignment extensions as an additional accommodation, submit a Supplemental Request.
• Submit documentation, if requested.
• Meet with your Access Specialist to complete the interactive process.
• Submit a Semester Request through Access CAS EACH SEMESTER you are requesting to use accommodations.
• Communicate with your Access Specialist regarding the specific courses for which you need Assignment Extension.
• Review, via email, the Assignment Extension Plan created by your instructor and Access Specialist for each class. If you do not agree with the Assignment Extension Plan created, notify your Access Specialist via email as soon as possible.
• Know how far in advance to contact each instructor if an Assignment Extension is requested (12 hours prior to due date, 24 hours, 48 hours, a week). Please note that more notice beyond what is listed in the Assignment Extension Plan is encouraged. The notice listed in the Assignment Extension Plan should be considered the minimum amount of notice requested.
•  Know the manner by which contact with professor should initiated. (Email, phone, only during business hours, etc).
• Know if there are assignments that cannot be extended due the essential requirements of the course.
• Work proactively on assignments. Assignment extensions are not automatically granted, nor should a student plan on a Assignment Extension always being available.   As such, a student should use this accommodation, if deemed reasonable, with care.
• If you are requesting a Assignment Extension for a specific assignment, contact your instructor within the time frame specified in the Assignment Extension Plan.
• Contact your instructor in a timely manner if you are unable to complete the assignment by the extended deadline.
• Understand that assignment extensions may not apply to all assignments, nor are assignment extensions unlimited.
• Understand that it is your responsibility to contact your Access Specialist if you have questions, concerns, or would like to change your accommodations. 

Faculty Responsibilities Regarding Assignment Extensions:

• Review Access Plans in a timely manner through the Access CAS portal.
• Meet with the student to determine implementation of accommodations (i.e. test proctoring, note taking, classroom breaks). 
• Consider if assignment extensions are reasonable, how much time is reasonable for certain assignments, and if there are assignments that cannot be extended without fundamentally altering the nature of the course.
• Consider how the student should contact you to request an assignment extension, and how much notice a student must give you when requesting an assignment extension. 
• Be timely in your response to the student regarding a request for an extension. For example, if you have requested that the student contact you via email, be sure to check your emails frequently.
• If deemed reasonable, respond to the student to verify the specific assignment extension. (How much time will be granted, what date/time the assignment is due, how the student will turn in the assignment).