Using Your Accommodations
Accommodation Services
Testing Accommodations
Students must be registered with SAS and have currently approved testing accommodations to utilize the SAS Testing Center. Students must Update Accommodations each semester before scheduling exams.
Exam Scheduling Process
- Complete the SAS Exam Request Form at least 3 business days in advance of test date
- Once approved by instructor, student will receive confirmation email of scheduled exam session
- Review testing exam requests through your SAS Student Request Platform
Cancellations
To cancel or change the details of an exam request, please contact sas@stcloudsate.edu or call 320-308-4080 as soon as possible (24 hours advanced notice preferred),
Important Testing Information
- Exams must be scheduled a minimum of 3 business days in advance
- Generally, tests should be scheduled the same day/time as the class
- For exams outside of regular business hours (8am-4:30pm), student & faculty should determine a time within SAS hours of operation
- All exams must be completed by 4:30pm Monday-Friday
- All communication will be delivered to students SCSU email address
- No exams will be scheduled less than 24 hours in advance
- SAS testing center is not available on university observed closures/holidays
SAS Testing Center Policy Overview
- Arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled exam time
- Provide picture ID at check in
- No electronic devices permitted in testing rooms (cell phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones, etc.)
- Testing rooms are monitored at all times
- Issues or concerns of exam integrity are documented and reported to faculty
- Exam “No Shows” are reported to faculty
Alternate Formatted Textbooks
- Students are encouraged to purchase textbooks in an electronic format for best access. (Many publishers will not provide electronic versions to SAS if an electronic version is available for purchase)
- When only physical copies are available, students can request an electronic version compatible with their assistive technology.
- Textbook requests are usually processed within 1-2 weeks of submission, but please allow up to 4 weeks for fulfillment.
- SAS will contact students directly with updates to their request as needed.
- If an electronic version is not available, SAS will work with students to determine the best way to access information.
Requesting Electronic Textbooks
- Complete the Alternate Format Textbook Request
- Attach receipt of purchase (materials will not be shared without proof of purchase) to the form.
- Once processed, SAS sends link to electronic textbook via OneDrive
- Contact sas@stcloudstate.edu with any questions related to a pending request
Textbook Use Agreements
- Shared textbook files are for educational purposes only and cannot be shared, distributed, sold, or altered in any way.
- Purchase of the textbook is required.
- Electronic files are the property of the publisher and are shared with SAS to ensure students access to materials.
- SAS reserves the right to manage the files in accordance with students' needs per semester.
Audio Recording Lectures
Students approved to audio record lectures must review and abide by the Audio Recording Lecture Guidance.
- Cell phones, digital audio recorders, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices can be used to audio record lectures
- All recorded lecture information is the intellectual property of the speaker/instructor and does not belong to the student recording
Audio Recording Lecture Guidance
Overview
The audio recording lecture accommodation is approved when reasonable to address disabilityrelated barriers to accessing information and note taking. The following guidance is provided to
support student’s and faculty’s understanding and expectations when implementing this
accommodation.
Accommodation Guidance
- Students with this accommodation are approved to record information presented in
class that specifically pertains to course learning and objectives (lectures, instructions,
explanations, etc.). - Students may not record personal stories or confidential information (i.e., individual or
group discussions, clinical experiences, class learning activities, instructors’ narratives). - Information presented is the intellectual property of the speaker; recorded information
cannot be shared, distributed, copied, altered, or used against the speaker in malice—
these are violations of federal copyright laws. - Recorded material must be deleted after review—always by the end of the course
semester. - Instructors cannot direct or encourage students not to record class lectures.
- Student require technology to record lectures and are not subject to “no technology”
rules in the classroom. Common recording devices include cell phones, laptops, tablets,
smart pens, etc. - Instructors are not required to record lectures and distribute them to students.
- Instructors are not required to allow video recording of lectures.
- Students and instructors are encouraged to review and discuss ways recording lectures
can work for all involved parties as needed (SAS is always available for consultation and
collaborations). - Instructors are encouraged to contact SAS with any questions or concerns about
recording in their class (i.e., what should be recorded, when recording is reasonable,
etc.).
Commonly Used Recording Apps
- Glean Audio Note Taker (free 30 day trial; paid subscription)
- Microsoft OneNote (free to students through Microsoft 365)
- Otter.ai - AI Meeting Note Taker & Real-time AI Transcription (free trial; paid subscription)
- Voice Memos- iOS (free)
- Easy Voice Recorder - Apps on Google Play (paid subscription)
Volunteer Note-Taker
Students are encouraged to attend class at least once to determine if the course in structured in a way that could lead to missed information. Volunteer note-takers can help with access to material, but SAS cannot guarantee the quality, consistency, or frequency of volunteers' notes.
Requesting Volunteer Note-Taker
- Complete the Note-Taker Request Form each semester for which you are seeking a note taker
- SAS will contact the course instructor with information about how to find a volunteer
- When a volunteer is identified, they will connect with SAS and be officially listed for the course
- Volunteer note taker will provide SAS notes [electronically] on a regular basis
- SAS will share the received notes electronically with student who requested them
This is an anonymous process. The requesting student’s name is not shared with the volunteer. Volunteers take notes as they naturally would and share them with SAS as a support service. If students identify a friend or classmate in the course willing to share notes, they should coordinate directly with them.
In the event a volunteer note taker is not identified, SAS will work to determine alternate accommodations that provide access.