Academic Success & Accessibility
Contact Information
Mackenzie Merja
Director of Academic Success & Accessibility
Ph: (406) 771-4311
F: (406) 771-4342
Location: A116 on the first level of Weaver Library
Quick Links
How Do I File a Grievance?
Conduct Guidelines and Grievance Procedures for students may be found at:
The Academic Success and Accessibility office at Great Falls College MSU offers support services to any qualified student with a disability who requests such services. It is each student’s responsibility to make use of these services. Each student is reminded that he is ultimately responsible for his academic success and/or failure. Each student must take the initiative to use time, facilities, and support services in a productive manner. Each student is responsible for his own work and grade in each course.
Also, the Academic Success and Accessibility Office offers direction in securing guidance in academic and personal matters. Again, it is each student’s responsibility to make use of these services. The Academic Success and Accessibility office will not be held responsible for acts of misconduct committed by any student.
It is the responsibility of each student to know and abide by all Great Falls College MSU’s policies, rules, and regulations. Each student must take the initiative to familiarize himself with these policies, rules, and regulations. Failure to do so will not exclude the student from reprimand or any other consequence of violating any Great Falls College’s policy, rule, or regulations.
In the event a disability-related problem arises, please contact the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. If the Director is not able to help you resolve the complaint, all reports or any concerns about conduct that may violate this policy and retaliation should be reported to:
Rachell Rivers
Human Resources Manager
www.gfcmsu.edu
406-268-3701
Students may also file a complaint with:
U. S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights – Seattle Office
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Voice: 206-607-1600
Fax: 206-607-1601
TDD: 206-607-1647
Resources for Students
How to Request Accommodations
1. Requesting Accommodations
- You can request accommodations anytime during the semester, but it’s best to do this at the beginning of the semester.
- Services are not retroactive, so please schedule your appointment as soon as possible.
- Students must self-disclose their disability and the need for accommodations.
- If you can’t register in person, you can request accommodations before classes start by contacting the Director.
- Appointments with the Director can happen:
- In person
- By phone
- Virtually
To schedule your 1-hour intake appointment:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (406) 771-4311 (voice, TDD, or Sorenson Video Relay: (406) 205-1079)
- Visit: Room 1104, Weaver Library
- Bookings: Book time with Mackenzie Merja: Intake Appointment
- Check your email for a pin
- May go to your Junk box
2. Documentation Requirements
- Before your appointment, submit documentation through PowerForm Signer Information | Docusign, or bring it with you.
- Documentation must:
- Be from a qualified professional
- Describe how the disability affects you in an academic setting
- Support your specific accommodation requests
**If you do not have documentation talk to the Director of Accessibility Services**
3. The Intake Appointment
- You’ll meet with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility.
- Be ready to:
- Describe how your disability affects you in and outside of class
- Discuss what challenges you face
- The Director will review your documentation with you and talk about possible accommodations.
*Note: All accommodation requests must go through the Academic Success and Accessibility office.
4. After Accommodations Are Approved
- You are responsible for emailing your accommodation slips to your professors.
- It’s a good idea to meet with your instructors during their office hours to talk about your needs.
- You do not need to negotiate your accommodations with instructors. If asked to, contact the Office of Accessibility.
Contact Disability Services if:
- Your instructor doesn’t understand or accept your accommodations.
- You need help arranging alternatives with your instructor.
- You have problems getting your accommodations.
Reminder:
- You do not have to share your diagnosis with instructors.
- Instructors must keep all disability information confidential, unless absolutely necessary to implement your accommodations.
5. Biology Lab Exams
- If you need extended time for Biology Lab exams, the Biology Department will schedule proctored exams at a set time.
- Exam times are announced at the beginning of each semester.
6. Renewing Accommodations
- You must renew your accommodations every semester.
- You can do this by:
- Phone
- Visiting the office
- Scheduling a meeting (if you want to change or reassess your accommodations)
- The Accessibility Office may send you a reminder if you forget to renew.
Eligibility and Documentation Guidelines
A disability is a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, walking, seeing, hearing, learning, and working. Civil rights laws, including the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, protect students from discrimination. These protections also apply to sutdents with a history of a disability or those perceived as having one.
Accommodations and Student Rights
Students with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations to fully participate in college life. Students are encouraged to advocate for their needs and must apply for accommodations through the Office of Academic Success and Accessibility.
- Accommodations are not retroactive—early registration is encouraged.
- Students must meet with the Director to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.
- This process is separate from Admissions.
Documentation Requirements
To determine accommodations, students must provide documentation that verifies:
- A current diagnosis,
- Functional impact of the condition in an academic setting,
- Recommendations for modifications.
This can include medical records, psycho-educational testing, or school records from a qualified provider, on official letterhead. If a condition changes, updated documentation is required. While an IEP or Section 504 Plan can be helpful, the college makes the final decision on accommodations.
Ongoing Process
- Students must inform Director of enrollment each semester to obtain Classroom Accommodation forms for each instructor.
- The Director reviews self-reports and documentation to determine reasonable accommodations through a collaborative process.
Forms:
Rights & Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities
- Identify yourself to the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility if you are seeking modifications
- Provide documentation from the appropriate professional(s) that verifies the disability, functional limitations, and the need for specific modifications
- Assume responsibility for utilizing modifications and notify the office of Academic Success and Accessibility, faculty, etc. when requesting modifications such as electronic texts and alternative testing
- Assume personal responsibility for requesting assistance from faculty members and supplemental services such as tutors in the Academic Success Center
- Provide for your personal independent living needs or other personal disability-related needs
- Meet the College’s qualifications and maintain institutional standards
Student Rights
- Equal access to college programs and services
- Reasonable and/or auxiliary aids and services
- Confidentiality of all information pertaining to your disability
- Assistance from the office of Academic Success and Accessibility in removing any physical, academic, and attitudinal barriers
Great Falls College Responsibilities
- Evaluate students on the basis of their abilities and not their disabilities
- Respond to requests on a timely basis
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communication except where permitted or required by law
- Provide or arrange reasonable modifications, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services
Great Falls College Rights
- Verify the need for reasonable modifications by requesting current documentation of a disability from the appropriate professional sources(s)
- Deny a request for modifications if the documentation demonstrates that the request is not warranted or if the individual fails to provide appropriate documentation
- Select among effective modifications and/or auxiliary aids and services
- Refuse unreasonable modifications, adjustments, and/or auxiliary aid and service requests that impose a fundamental alteration on a program or activity of the college, create an undue financial burden, or are considered “personal” in nature [i.e., personal aides, personal care attendant, individually prescribed devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.), readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature]
Temporary Physical Impairments
Students with temporary disabilities may request reasonable accommodations for a limited amount of time. Students may request special arrangements with each instructor, and if the instructor allows course modifications, the student may request the temporary use of Academic Success and Accessibility resources (e.g. testing room/proctor; assistive technology) as available. Such requests must be accompanied by medical documentation of the temporary condition, and will only be granted as resources are available. In all cases, students registered with the office of Academic Success and Accessibility will receive top priority for use of resources.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of Records
- Student files are kept strictly confidential and accessed only by the Director or designated staff when necessary.
- If the Director is unavailable, a temporary substitute may access files.
- Faculty, staff, or others may only view records with the student’s written permission using the [Authorization for Release and Exchange of Information form].
- Students can revoke permission at any time in writing.
- No copies of documentation will be released unless legally required.
- An annual list of student ID numbers (not names) is shared with the Carl Perkins grant director for statistical purposes.
Disclosure Guidelines
- Students control disclosure of disability-related information.
- Instructors will be referred to the student for any questions about disability status.
- Students must disclose the existence (not the nature) of a disability when requesting accommodations.
- The Director may discuss functional impacts of a disability with instructors but will not share the diagnosis.
- Instructors who receive accommodation requests are bound by the same confidentiality rules as the Director and may not share the information without written student consent.
Record Retention
- Files are kept for five years after the student’s last semester.
- For students who return after more than a year but do not re-activate their file, the five-year retention starts from their last semester of service.
- After five years, files are destroyed, and the Director maintains an electronic record of the destruction.
Authorization for Release and Exchange of Information
Commencement Accommodations
- Live Interpreting
- Video recording with closed captioning available for viewing within one week of commencement