New School University Disability
Anti-Discrimination Complaint Procedures
For Students

February 2003

I. Request for Reasonable Accommodations

Applicants or students who need reasonable accommodations for their disabilities or who have complaints of discrimination on the basis of their disabilities are encouraged to consult and seek a resolution with the Director of the Office of Student Disability Services. The Director may require the submission of adequate documentary evidence from medical professionals describing the injury, condition or disease which forms the basis of the disability, the resulting limitation(s) of function and various alternative accommodations which would remedy the circumstance or a statement identifying in detail the alleged discriminatory act(s). To effect better handling of the request for accommodations or of the complaint of discrimination, the Director will attempt to keep requests for accommodations or complaints of discrimination confidential and will endeavor to inform only those with a "need to know", e.g., the professor, department chair, dean, or an individual accused of discrimination.

II. Filing a Complaint

1. If an applicant or student wishes to file a formal complaint of discrimination on the basis of a disability, he or she must file such a complaint within twenty (20) days after the alleged discrimination has occurred.
   
   
2. Applicants or students shall file the signed complaint in writing with the University Designated Official. A complaint shall contain the name, address, and telephone number (and a student identification number) of the person filing it, a detailed description of the injury, condition or disease which is the basis of the disability, a description of the resulting limitations of function and/or a complete description of the alleged discriminatory act(s). The complaint may also be required to provide any of the following information, to the extent practicable:
   
   
   1. A detailed description by medical professionals of the injury, condition or disease and the resulting limitation(s) if function which is the basis of the disability claim;
   2. The issues or circumstances involved;
   3. The date of the alleged discriminatory act(s);
   4. Details of what allegedly occurred;
   5. Identification of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge; and
   6. The accommodation(s) requested and/or remedy sought.
   7. The alleged specific violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other federal, state or local disability law.
   
   
   
3. An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The University's Designated Official's designee will conduct the investigation. During the investigation, interested persons may be contacted and afforded an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
   
   
4. The Official's designee shall issue a written determination regarding the complaint and, if appropriate, a description of the resolution. The Official's designee shall forward a copy of the determination to the complainant within a reasonable period of time. Further, the Official's designee shall notify the complainant of the opportunity for a reconsideration of the complaint by the University Disability Official.
   
   
5. The complainant may request a reconsideration of the designee's determination within 20 days of the date of this determination. The University Disability Official, or the Official's designee, will then review the request for reconsideration and may further investigate the complaint. The University's Disability Official shall issue a written determination and forward a copy of the complaining party within a reasonable period of time. The University Disability Official's decision is final and binding on behalf of the University.
   
   
6. Anyone accused of discrimination in the complaint shall be notified of such accusations and shall be afforded an opportunity to respond to such allegations, including during any reconsideration by the University Disability Official, or the Official's designee, as appropriate. Anyone accused of discrimination in the complaint shall also be notified of the final determination of the complaint.
   

New School University expressly prohibits retaliation against anyone who requests an accommodation or who files a complaint of discrimination under these procedures.

February 2003