While all instructors build flexibility into their courses, there are some students who might require additional flexibility in a course. Related to accommodations, this includes students with disabilities who have conditions that are unpredictable and chronic. For these students, it is important to understand the potential limits of flexibility and how to utilize that flexibility as early as possible so they can effectively engage in the course while managing the impacts of their condition.
Flexibility agreements are a way to ensure everyone is on the same page as early as possible. Flexibility agreements help to determine:
- The essential requirements of the course
- The available flexibility within a course
- How that flexibility can be accessed by the student
For more information and flexibility agreements, please visit the SAS Accommodation Guide.
SAS Accommodation Guide - Flexibility Agreements
SAS Support with Flexibility Agreements
SAS is here to support instructors through the flexibility process. This includes exploring the course more generally or helping to create the agreement itself. As needed, instructors or students can request support from SAS in creating the agreement. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Direct outreach
- Providing a flexibility survey to instructors to help create the agreement
- Direct support in creating the agreement
- Facilitation of a flexibility meeting
- Review of and discussion about the agreement
- Helping clarify disagreements and misunderstandings
For assistance in creating a flexibility agreement, please contact SAS directly. We can talk with you more about your course or can send a brief form 5-10 minutes to complete. If you complete the form, we will return a document to you that you can edit and share with the student.
Preparing to Talk with Students about Flexibility
Before meeting with a student about flexibility, it is important to think critically about the course and the possible flexibility based on the essential course requirements. This should include reflection about the following key areas:
Exam Support at UNH Law
At UNH Law, the Registrar’s Office oversees the administration of Electronic Bluebook (EBB) exams, and supports the implementation of exam accommodations. This helps to ensure that student exam accommodation needs are appropriately met. Instructors should communicate all exam schedules to the Registrar as soon as possible. This ideally should occur within the Faculty Survey at the beginning of the semester, but no later than two weeks before an exam.
If an instructor chooses to administer exams or quizzes, then they are responsible for ensuring student accommodation needs are appropriately met. This can include adding accommodations to Canvas quizzes prior to the beginning of the quiz or making other arrangements as specified within the accommodation letter.
You can also contact SAS for questions about exam accommodations.
