Student Accommodations and Resources

I. RELIGIOUS ACCOMmODATIONS (SEMESTER OR LONGER)

In efforts to support our students, regardless of religious affiliation, in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, the Corcoran makes every effort to accommodate a student’s religious background, except when such accommodation(s) would create undue hardship.

An undue hardship can occur when a student’s requested accommodation would require significant expense or difficulty for the Corcoran, or would result in the inability of the student to perform an essential function in their course/program of study. The determination of undue hardship is dependent on the facts of each individual situation. Regardless of any granted accommodation (religious or otherwise), students are responsible for fulfilling all academic objectives, requirements and prerequisites as determined by their instructor and the Corcoran.

Process

Students must fill out the Request for Accommodation form and give the form to the chair or program director. The student and their chair or program director should discuss what a reasonable accommodation should include in his or her specific case. The student should be prepared to speak candidly with their instructor which may include personal and/or cultural information.

Upon a reasonable accommodation and mutual agreement, the form is then sent to the Office of Student Affairs and implemented. If there is no consensus on a reasonable accommodation, they should then speak with the dean of students for a resolution suitable for both parties. 

iI. Disability Support

The Americans with Disabilities Act became law in July 1990. Section 504, referred to as the “Civil Rights Act” for people with disabilities, mandates that “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The Corcoran is committed to upholding the legal, ethical, and philosophical principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations and by making admission decisions without regard to disabilities. The Corcoran is not required to provide all comprehensive accommodations requested by the student. Also, receiving services and accommodations at another college or university does not necessarily qualify students for the same services and accommodations at the Corcoran.

Process

Students are encouraged to disclose any disabilities during the first semester at the Corcoran, but can also do so at any point while enrolled at the College. Accommodations can only be given after disclosure from the student and will not be applied retroactively. The Learning Specialist, Amanda Kleinman,  will work with students with disabilities and their instructors to collaboratively choose the most appropriate and effective resources. To be eligible, the student must provide a copy of his or her documentation verifying his or her disability to the Office of Student Affairs. Please submit documentation directly to Amanda Kleinman. Akleinman@corcoran.org

The purpose of documentation is to provide verification that the individual has a disability that meets the definition contained in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Disability documentation should consist of an evaluation by an appropriate professional with a clear statement of the diagnosis, the basis for the diagnosis, and the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodation request. Students who have never undergone treatment but suspect that diagnostic testing will be helping in determining if they have academic challenges should consult the dean of students for further information.

Examples of possible accommodations the Corcoran can provide are:

• Permission to use a tape recorder or assisted listening device in lectures
• Handouts of commonly used vocabulary or terms distributed in selected academic classes
• Examination accommodations, including extended time, taped format, and use of a word processor
• Preferred seating at lectures
• Residence hall accommodations
• Parking availability, with proof of medical documentation and written letter of request
• Written instructions for studio assignments
• Provision of sign language interpreters
• Priority registration
• Permission to use books on tape, note-takers (e.g., obtaining a copy of another student’s notes), or other designated learning aids as appropriate and provided by the student
• Referrals to professional tutors and other specialized services inside the Corcoran are made available to all degree students at no cost
• Referrals to professional tutors and other specialized services outside the Corcoran, to be available at the student’s own expense

The ADA does not require colleges to provide personal assistants, individual personal assistants, individual personal tutors, or personal assisted technology. The Corcoran will refer students to agencies that can provide personal assistance whenever possible. BFA programs are full-time and sequential for all four years. Academic requirements must be met successfully before a student may advance to other sequential courses. Accommodations will not reduce academic expectations or standards, or eliminate essential components of any course. Accommodations will not alter the academic standards of the institution, but will ensure that the needs of disabled students are reasonably met. Finally, accommodations are not retroactive. Students and their families are advised to carefully evaluate the Corcoran’s program and available accommodations before deciding to enroll, as all responsibility to obtain and continue using assistance rests with the student once he or she enters the Corcoran’s degree program. The student is expected to act as his or her own educational advocate.

IIi. Academic/Studio Advising

All degree seeking students can find the name of their advisor on CORCboard. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors as often as needed, but must meet with their assigned advisor each semester during registration periods to review their academic progress and discuss a program of study for the upcoming semester. Advisors can help identify scheduling problems, ensure proper credit load, and help with elective course selection. Issues that cannot be resolved through an advisor should be brought to the attention of the director of academic advising. If further assistance is needed, students should contact the registrar, and finally, the dean of students.

iV. Career Services

The Career Services Office, located in the Office of Student Affairs at the Downtown Campus, is committed to helping degree students and alumni with their professional development by providing a variety of resources, including up-to-date listings of jobs and internships, a collection of books that cover career development topics resume and cover letter critique, portfolio reviews, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. Individual appointments can be arranged by contacting Career Services at careerservices@corcoran.org.

V. Exhibition Space

The College houses a number of spaces for the display of student, faculty, alumni, and visiting artist work. Throughout the academic year, a variety of College exhibitions supporting a wide range of curricular activity are on view in spaces such as the Gallery 31, White Halls Gallery, and White Walls Gallery. Additionally, the partnership between the College and the Corcoran Gallery of Art presents a unique opportunity for the College to maintain high profile exhibition space within the Gallery for an ongoing series of group and individual shows like NEXT at the Corcoran. For more information, please contact the director of college exhibitions or the coordinator of college exhibitions.

vI. Writing Centers

Professional and peer tutoring are available at the Writing Tutorial Centers, located at the Downtown and the Georgetown campuses. The tutorial sessions address common issues with reading, writing, English as a Second Language, and college study skills. Students can either schedule an appointment or drop in unannounced. This free tutorial service is open to all Corcoran degree-seeking students. For more information, please contact Nolana Yip, Writing Center Coordinator, at nolana_yip@corcoran.edu.

VII. PEER MENTORING PROGRAM

The Corcoran College of Art + Design understands that an undergraduate student’s first semester can be intimidating. Through the Student Peer Mentoring Program, students are given a jump-start during the semester to studio and scholastic endeavors through academic preparation, career exploration, cultural awareness guidance, conflict resolution guidance, and service learning projects. This exposure will enable students to cope with the pressures of student life, gain self-management skills, and gain an appreciation for studio and academic excellence.  For more information, please contact the coordinator of peer mentoring program at peermentoring@corcoran.org.