Three New Policy Drafts Approved by President's Council to Enter Stage 4

Three New Policy Drafts Approved by President's Council to Enter Stage 4

Policy Proposals to be Reviewed by Board of Trustees

On January 16, 2020, President's Council reviewed and approved, for entrance into Stage 4, three policy proposals: Policy 152 Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities, Policy 153 Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Process, and Policy 160 Animals on Campus. The University's Office of General Council provided the following summaries for each of the policy proposals. 

Policy 152 Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities (revision):

This policy revision gives the University a clearer and more detailed process for evaluating requests for accommodations from students, employees, and visitors. This compliance area is the frequent subject of litigation and OCR complaints nationally, so this is a major risk abatement for UVU.

Policy 153 Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Process (deletion):

This policy will be deleted and its accommodation-grievance process folded into Policy 152.

Policy 160 Animals on Campus (new—to replace current temporary emergency policy):

This policy revision provides a clearer articulation of student, employee, and visitor rights regarding “service animals” on campus. These rights are significant under federal law. The policy distinguishes service animals from other animals, and explains the criteria that UVU will consider when allowing other non-service animals on campus.

More details about each policy, including summaries of changes made from Stage 3, can be found below.

Policy 152
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities

Process: Regular (Revision)
Sponsors: Linda Makin/Kyle Reyes
Stewards:Irene Whittier/Alexis Palmer
Action: Entrance to Stage 4
Summary of Stage 3 Changes:

  • Section 5.1.6: We updated the table to add a section on non-visible, permanent disabilities and increased the years between needing new diagnostic documentation for accommodations.
  • Section 5.1.7: Clarified that if students do not submit accommodation requests in a timely manner before the start of a semester, their request for accommodations or services may be delayed.
  • Section 5.2.4.5: We added clarification that an accommodation might not be approved if it disrupts students ability to learn. This section was revised as follows: “The accommodation would disrupt UVU’s educational programs or activities, including classroom instruction, or unduly disrupt others’ employees’ ability to work or learn.”

Policy 153 
Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Process

Process: Regular (Deletion)
Sponsors: Linda Makin/Kyle Reyes
Stewards:Irene Whittier/Alexis Palmer
Action: Entrance to Stage 4
Summary of Stage 3 Changes: 

  • No Stage 3 changes because this policy is being deleted.

Policy 160
Animals on Campus

Process: Regular (New)
Sponsors: Linda Makin/Kyle Reyes
Stewards:Irene Whittier/Alexis Palmer
Action: Entrance to Stage 4
Summary of Stage 3 Changes:

  • Section 4.2.1.5: A student asked where the designated areas are for service animals to secrete and excrete. No such areas currently exist; therefore, Alexis Palmer, the Dean of Student Life, will work with the Infrastructure Committee to identify and designate these areas. Once the areas are approved, identifying signs will be posted.

During Stage 4, the Board of Trustees will review the drafts and their proposed actions. To learn more about the policy process at the University, visit our Policy Process webpage or contact the Policy Office.