Academic Accommodations

  • For students with visual impairments, the College can provide:

    - Audio or electronic versions of course readings
    - Braille materials
    - Text-to-speech software
    - Note-taking support or software
    - Recorded or large-print examinations
    - Oral presentation of materials written on chalk boards
    - Other appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis

    For students with hearing impairments, the College can provide:

    - Course materials and assignment instructions in writing
    - Captions and/or transcripts for course videos or audio content
    - Live captioning (CART) for lectures, presentations, and discussions
    - ASL interpreters for lectures, presentations, and discussions
    - Student residences with flashing emergency signals that meet ADA requirements
    - Other appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis

    For students with chronic illnesses, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, allergies, and other diseases, the College can provide:

    - Special dietary accommodations
    - Low-allergen housing options
    - Assistance communicating with faculty
    - Other appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis

  • For students with psychological disabilities, the College can provide:

    - Assistance establishing care with an on-campus therapist and/or psychiatrist
    - Special housing accommodations
    - Assistance communicating with faculty
    - Other appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis

    For students with documented Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or learning disorders, the College can provide:

    - Extended time on examinations
    - A reduced-distraction setting in which to take examinations
    - Audio or electronic versions of course readings
    - Note-taking support or software
    - Assistance with time management and executive functioning
    - Other appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis

    In addition, all students have access to College resources such as:

    - The Writing Workshop
    - The Math and Science Resource Center
    - Peer Tutoring
    - Health Services and Integrative Well-Being Services
    - Individual appointments with faculty, class deans, and student support staff

  • Reduced Course Load Accommodation

    In the event that a Williams student believes that a full course of study should be modified because of a disability or significant health condition, the student may petition the Disabilities and Accommodations Advisory Group (DAAG) for a Reduced Course Load accommodation (RCL).

    An RCL accommodation permits students with documented need to take three rather than four courses in a semester, without incurring a deficiency. Students approved for an RCL must still complete all academic requirements of the College (including passing 32 courses, completing a major, and completing all of the distribution requirements) in order to graduate.

    A petition for an RCL must be accompanied by a statement from the student identifying the disability- or health-related circumstances that have necessitated the request, as well as documentation from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the student's condition and why a reduced course load is needed. The petition may also be augmented by a recommendation from a Dean, though this is not required.

    If the consideration of a student’s petition and supporting documentation leads to approval, the petition is forwarded to the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS), which formalizes the approval by DAAG.

    When and How to Request a Reduced Course Load Accommodation

    Requests for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) accommodation are ideally made prior to the start of the semester in which the accommodation will apply, but must be completed by 9am on the final day of the add/drop period for the accommodation to apply to the current semester.

    To ensure that we have time to review the request, meet with the student, and convene DAAG before the end of add/drop, we request all materials (including documentation) by the preferred deadlines of August 15 for the Fall semester and January 15 for the Spring semester.

    RCL accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. If a student needs to reduce their schedule after the add/drop deadline has passed, they should speak with their class dean about options for withdrawing from a course.

    Please follow these steps to petition DAAG for a reduced course load:

    1. Fill out the Reduced Course Load Petition form

      This form walks you through the main attributes of a reduced course load and asks you to upload a personal statement explaining the reasons for your RCL request. You may also submit a letter of support from your dean here, but it is not required. Your completed petition form will be shared with the DAAG committee.

    2. Upload supporting documentation from your healthcare provider to Accommodate (instructions below).

      Documentation should be a documentation form or letter from your healthcare provider that follows our documentation guidelines. It should clearly state your need for a reduced course load, the relationship to a health condition or disability, and whether a one-semester or ongoing RCL is needed. Documentation will be kept confidential within OAE.

    3. Schedule a meeting with a member of the OAE staff to discuss your request (Contact Us).

    Instructions for Submitting Documentation:

    • If you already have a relationship with OAE, please submit a Supplemental Request form in Accommodate by navigating to Accommodation > Supplemental > Add New. Please upload your documentation to the form before submitting. If you don't yet have documentation, or want to add more documentation later, you can do so by going to Accommodation > Documents > Add New.
    • If you do not yet have a relationship with OAE, please fill out this Accommodation Request form to open a case file in our system. You can upload documentation while filling out this form, or fill out the form and then upload documentation by logging into Accommodate using your Williams email and password and navigating to Accommodation > Documents > Add New.

    One-Semester vs. Ongoing Reduced Course Loads

    There are two types of reduced course loads: one-semester or ongoing. If a student requests and is approved for an ongoing reduced course load, they are eligible to take 3 courses each semester for their remaining time at Williams. Students on an ongoing reduced course load should confer with Senior Associate Registrar Alan Hatton and with their class dean at least once each semester to make plans for completing the degree. Since the student will complete fewer than 32 Williams courses in eight semesters, they will need either to take summer courses elsewhere or petition the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) to take an additional semester(s) at Williams in order to complete their graduation requirements. Note, however, that only Williams courses can be used for completing distribution requirements.

    A one-semester reduced course load is available for students whose need for a reduction in classes is short-term or temporary (i.e. related to a short-term illness or temporary exacerbation of chronic issues related to a disability). Students approved for a one-semester RCL are eligible to take 3 courses for that specific semester and must re-apply if their need persists beyond that one semester. A student approved for a one-semester RCL can also petition for an additional semester(s), if needed.

    Students who are not approved for an ongoing reduced course load may sometimes be approved for a one-semester RCL as a means of determining whether an ongoing reduced course load is an appropriate means of accommodating the student’s needs. Students who have been approved for a one-semester RCL may apply again for a one-semester or ongoing reduced course load accommodation.

    Reduced Course Load Tuition Policy

    Students on an approved reduced course load will pay no more than 8 semesters of the comprehensive fee charged by Williams. After 8 semesters of payment to Williams and at the approval of the Dean of the College, tuition will be waived for continuing students. Students will continue to be charged room, board, and fees according to the published rates. Students should contact Student Financial Services with any questions about how an RCL accommodation may impact their bill.

For further information about specific academic accommodations in the classroom setting, please see the page on explanations of accommodations.