Handling Disputes

Appeals Process
If a student disagrees with the accommodation decision reached by the MAP (Medical, Academic and Psychiatric) Advisory Board (i.e., the request is denied or alternative accommodation(s) is offered), they may appeal this decision. Students who are appealing should follow the steps below.
Appeals of decisions regarding the determination or provision of academic/housing adjustments must be submitted in writing within 10 college business days.

The student shall send a statement from the student’s PSC email address to the Dean of Students, Dr. Vance Jackson, at vjackson@paulsmiths.edu and cc’ing the MAP Advisory Board at MAPadvisoryboard@paulsmiths.edu. If the Dean is not available for an extended period, a substitute representative will be identified by the President.

1. The student’s written statement must include:

• a clear statement of the request or concern;
• the grounds on which the student bases their appeal;
• a summary of the action(s) the student has taken to resolve the matter informally; and
• a statement of the student’s desired outcome.

2. The student should copy and paste the following statement into the email:

• I, (insert student name), give permission to the Dean of Students and MAP Advisory Board members to access my current accommodation request and accompanying documentation as part of my appeal consideration.

3. Upon receipt of the above information, the Dean may request any additional documents or information they believe are relevant to the request/decision.

4. Within fifteen (15) College business days after the written appeal is received, the Dean shall email the student a summary of the outcome and explanation.

5. The formal appeal file and the final decision shall be confidential, but the final decision shall be provided simultaneously to the student and the MAP Advisory Board which included representatives from Accommodative Services, Health Services, and Counseling Services.

6. The decision of the Dean shall be final.
If the student considers the response unsatisfactory, they may consider pursuing their concerns via external agencies by contacting the U.S Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or the NYS Division of Human Rights:

U.S. Department of Education
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Tel: 800-421-3481 TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: ocr@ed.gov

New York State Division of Human Rights
NYS Division of Human Rights Agency
Building 1, 2nd Floor Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12220
Tel. 518-474-2705 or 518-474-2707
Email: infoalbany@dhr.ny.gov