75 Americans with Disabilities Act

Policy Statement:

MURRAY STATE COLLEGE NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Murray State College, in compliance with Title VI of the civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sex, age, religion, handicap, or status as veteran in any of its policies, practices, procedures, education programs, or activities.  This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.  Compliance responsibilities regarding Section 504 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 are assigned to and maintained by:

Quinton Jones-Executive Director for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator

MURRAY STATE COLLEGE

One Murray Campus

Tishomingo, OK 73460

580.387.7139

Procedure:

1. The Student’s Responsibilities:
   1. The student must self-identify the disability and submit a signed request listing any accommodations requested to the Academic Advisement (MSC or AHEC). This should be done upon registration, but in any event it should be done as soon as possible.   On classes shorter than a semester in length, notification is required at registration or as soon as possible.  The earlier this is done, the greater the opportunity MSC has to respond to the need following documentation.
   2. The student’s request must be accompanied by an evaluation from a qualified professional. The professional’s evaluation must include a diagnosis with recommended accommodation(s).
2. MSC’s Responsibilities to the Student:
   1. When the Academic Advisement receives the student’s request and the qualified professional’s diagnosis with recommended accommodation(s), a thorough individualized assessment is conducted. This may be a collaborative process involving the counseling staff, the student, and the instructor.
   2. If cost is involved in the requested accommodation, PAC must approve the request.
   3. The Academic Advisement Center completes the ADA Accommodations/Responsibilities form and forward it to the student’s instructors.
   4. All information regarding a student’s disability is highly confidential and is maintained in separate, secure files with limited access. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis.
   5. The Academic Advisement Center maintains the student’s file including all documentation.
   6. The chief academic officer ensures that all course syllabi include the following statement: “Murray State College is committed to providing equal access to College programs and services for all students.  Under College policy and federal and state laws, students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodation to ensure the student has an equal opportunity to perform in class.”
   7. When a student self-identifies a disability, faculty members should direct the student to the Academic Advisement (MSC or AHEC).
3. MSC Employee’s Responsibility: Any MSC employee having a disability that falls within the A.D.A. guidelines should visit with the A.D.A. Compliance Officer, Dean of Learning and Student Success, Tracey Hickman, regarding job accommodation requests.
4. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Grievance Procedure: Murray State College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Title II states, in part, that no otherwise qualified disabled individual will, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination” in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity.
   1. Students with ADA complaints should follow the Student Grievance Procedures as published in the MSC Student Handbook which can also be found online www.mscok.edufor current students and on file in the Office of the ADA Compliance Officer.
   2. Employees with ADA complaints should follow the Employee Grievance Procedure as published in this manual.
   3. Other individuals with ADA complaints concerning MSC should address the complaints to the ADA Compliance Officer, Murray State College, One Murray Campus, Tishomingo, OK 73460. Telephone 580-387-7463, and follow the procedures listed below:
      1. A complaint should be filed in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations.
      2. A complaint should be filed within a reasonable amount of time after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
      3. An investigation, as may be appropriate, follows a filing of complaint. The investigation will be conducted by the ADA Compliance Officer.  These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint.
      4. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, is to be issued by the ADA Compliance Officer and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 15 working days after its filing.
      5. The ADA Compliance Officer maintains the files and records of MSC relating to the complaints filed.
      6. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he/she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made within ten working days from the date of receipt of the written determination as set forth in Item 3.4.
      7. The President reviews the materials presented, interviews individuals as deemed appropriate, and renders a decision within ten working days.

NOTE:  The following applies to all complainants:  The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder is not to be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of an ADA complaint with the responsible federal department or agency.  Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.  These rules are construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that MSC complies with the ADA and implementing regulations.