Accessibility Resources for Students

Additional Resources for Students

• Transition Guide (U.S. Department of Education)

  A Transition Guide from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights is provided as a resource to educators, students and their families. The purpose of this guide is to provide answers to questions students with disabilities may have as they get ready to move to the postsecondary education environment.

   

• Class Accessibility

  Students who require classes to be scheduled in accessible locations or have other special classroom needs should inform the OAR director as soon as possible (preferably before preregistration for returning students or during the summer for entering students).

  Should the need arise during the school year for a change in classroom location or other accommodation to ensure physical access, the student is responsible for informing the OAR director immediately.

  A student who has not already registered with OAR must provide appropriate documentation of the disability at that time. Class deans and relevant faculty members should be informed at the same time.

  We will make every attempt to meet specific needs that arise after classrooms have been assigned, but we will need your cooperation to do so.

   

• Parking Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

  Bucknell University recognizes that some students may require an exception to its parking rules and regulations as an appropriate disability accommodation in order to fully participate in the University's activities, services and programs. As discussed below, the University has procedures in place for students to make such requests.

  Please be aware that the availability of parking accommodations may be quite limited. Your request and complete supporting documentation should be submitted to the OAR director:

  Office of Accessibility Resources
  107 Carnegie Building
  Lewisburg, PA 17837

  Fax: 570-577-1826

  For questions, call 570-577-1188 or email OAR@bucknell.edu.

  State-Issued Parking Placard

  When applicable, depending on the nature of the disability, the student should obtain a state-issued accessible ("handicapped") parking placard. Students should contact their State Department of Transportation or home physician for more information. Students with a disability that have secured a state-issued accessible parking placard must follow Public Safety Parking rules and regulations, and are permitted to park in all blue-lined accessible spaces, visitor spaces and faculty/staff spaces.

  Documentation Requirements

  If a student is not eligible for a state-issued parking placard, an exception to the University's parking rules and regulations still may be an appropriate accommodation.

  1. The student is responsible for submitting the required supporting documentation from an appropriate independent third party who is familiar with the student's disability (e.g., a professional appropriately licensed in the field of the student's disability, such as a medical doctor) who is not related to the student. Please be aware that diagnosis in and of itself does not automatically qualify a student for parking accommodations.
  2. The independent third party must indicate that the need for parking accommodation is due to a substantial limitation in major life activity, must explain the substantial limitation and must identify the impacted major life activity. There needs to be a clear nexus between the disability and the request.
  3. If the independent third party does not provide sufficient information for the OAR to determine whether an accommodation is necessary, the OAR director will inform the student in writing of the documentation's insufficiency and may request additional information, including by speaking directly with the individual supplying the third-party verification.
  4. Students requesting accommodation are responsible for timely providing all information necessary to evaluate the request, and are strongly encouraged to schedule an in-person meeting with the director in order to ensure all pertinent information is provided.

   

• Air Conditioner Policy

  Bucknell University is committed to reasonably accommodate qualified students with disabilities who may require the unit installation and/or use of air conditioning (AC) in residential housing in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For a request for air conditioning, the student with a substantially limiting disability must read over the Housing Accommodation Policy and Procedure as well as complete the Disability Accommodation Request and upload supporting documentation (Housing Accommodation Request Professional Form). For questions, please contact the OAR at OAR@bucknell.edu or 570-577-1188.

  All Accommodation requests and supporting information should be submitted prior to the deadline outlined in the Housing Accommodation policy:

  • Upper-class students: prior to March 1.

  • First-year students: prior to June 10.

  • Transfer students/returning from a leave in the fall: prior to July 1.

  • Transfer students/returning from a leave in the spring: prior to December 1.

  Approvals are determined on a case-by-case basis by the OAR director and are dependent upon the documentation received relative to the severity of illness and the availability of rooms that are centrally air conditioned or have the capability of supporting a unit.

  Only for Individuals with Respiratory or Other Health Disabilities

  Bucknell's air-conditioning policy provides a mechanism for an individual with a respiratory or other health disability to be approved for a housing accommodation of an air conditioner.

  Please do not request air conditioning as a disability accommodation if you are not an individual with a respiratory or other health disability.

  Physician notes on a prescription such as, "please provide air conditioner for my patient due to allergies" will not be accepted as documenting a need for a substantially limiting impairment.

  Guidelines for AC Window Units After the Deadline

  Students requesting air conditioning after the indicated deadline who have submitted the appropriate documentation and have been granted permission from the OAR to have air conditioning shall be required to purchase a window or portable air conditioner.

  After the student has procured and received the air conditioner, the student shall contact Facilities via email at pplant@bucknell.edu or phone 570-577-1911 to install the air conditioner. To ensure the unit is installed safely and meets University requirements, students should not install the air conditioner.

  Students requesting to have the air conditioner removed from the room during the winter and summer shall be responsible for storing the air conditioner.

  Portable Air Conditioners

  A portable air conditioner is designed to sit on the floor of the room with an exhaust duct attached to discharge the hot air through a window. These units are necessary in certain rooms as windows may not be large enough to accommodate a window-mount air conditioner.

  AC Units Already Installed

  Some buildings have rooms in which an AC unit has already been installed. Students residing in one of these spaces should discuss their need for AC with their House Leader prior to the house roster being submitted to Housing Services (typically the week before spring break).

  Specifications for Air Conditioners by Building

  Please refer to the table below regarding type and specifications for air conditioners by building.

  BUILDING	AUXILLARY AIR CONDITIONING TYPE	MINIMUM-MAXIMUM BTU RATING	VOLTAGE	MAXIMUM AMPERAGE
  23 University Avenue	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  64 University Avenue	Portable Only	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  400 St. George St.	Portable Only	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  620 St. George St.	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Carey House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Corner House	2nd Flr Window /Portable - 3rd Flr Portable Only	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Galloway House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Harris Hall	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Hulley House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Larison Hall	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Leiser House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Martin House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Sigma Chi	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Sigma Phi Epsilon	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Summit House	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10
  Tau Kappa Epsilon	Window / Portable	6,000 - 8,000	115V / 60 Hz	10

   

• Counseling & Student Development Center

  The staff at the Counseling and Student Development Center is available and prepared to help you with your individual needs. At your request, a Bucknell University psychologist will:

  • Refer you for additional testing and diagnosis.
  • Discuss a possible choice of majors.
  • Suggest learning and curricular strategies.
  • Work with you to improve study habits.
  • Provide individual and/or group counseling.
  • Arrange for consultation with a psychiatrist.

  Learn more about the Counseling & Student Development Center

   

• Student Health Services

  Bucknell Student Health is prepared to answer your questions and work with you as needed. At your request, the Bucknell Student Health staff will:

  • Answer questions regarding health maintenance and education.
  • Provide comprehensive outpatient services and assist with inpatient care.
  • Provide assistance concerning nutritional and dietary concerns.
  • Provide services for women's health.
  • Offer drug and alcohol counseling.
  • Act as an advocate on your behalf concerning health matters.

  Learn more about Student Health Services

   

• Teaching & Learning Center

  Bucknell's Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) wants to help you maximize your Bucknell experience inside the classroom and out. The TLC offers the following resources and many more:

  • Presentations and workshops related to academic success topics, also available online.
  • Individual appointments to discuss effective strategies to reach personal academic goals.
  • Study groups led by trained peer facilitators for many sections of introductory math and science courses.
  • Tutoring program by referral for those who have already used primary channels of academic assistance in introductory math and science courses.

  For more information or to make an appointment, contact learning@bucknell.edu or visit the Teaching & Learning Center site.

   

• Writing Center

  Writing consultants at the Bucknell Writing Center will be able to:

  • Work individually with you on a one-time or regular basis.
  • Discuss writing assignments in both the planning and draft stages.
  • Ask questions to help you think critically and creatively about your course material.
  • Help you to revise and improve your writing.
  • Offer strategies to overcome "writer's block."
  • Offer feedback about oral presentations and other class projects.
  • Consult with you about your academic needs in areas other than writing.

  Learn more about the Writing Center