Appeal and Grievance Procedures
Accommodation Appeal Process
Informal Appeal Process
If a University student requests a particular academic accommodation and the request has been denied by an AccessibleNU(ANU) Advisor the student may informally appeal the decision by requesting a review of the determination. The informal appeal will be reviewed by ANU's Associate Directors or a designee. To move forward with an informal appeal regarding accommodation determination, please contact AccessibleNU (e. accessiblenu@northwestern.edu; p. 847-467-5530). Students are required to go through the informal appeal process before proceeding with a formal appeal. The majority of disagreements can be handled at this level and have a shorter response and outcome time.
Formal Appeal Process
If a University student requests a particular academic accommodation and the request has been denied through the informal appeal process, the student may formally appeal the decision by requesting a review of the determination. The appeal will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of Students and Director of ANU or a designee. In order to move forward with appealing an accommodation determination, please login to the with your Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University NetID and Password. Information requested in this form includes the accommodation determination you are appealing, the basis for your appeal, a description of your concerns, and the resolution that you are seeking in the appeal process. Once your ANU Formal Appeal Form is submitted, AccessibleNU will follow up with you by email to set up an appointment with the Associate Dean of Students and Director of ANU to have a conversation about your appeal prior to a determination of your appeal.
Should you not want to meet to discuss your appeal, please let us know (e. accessiblenu@northwestern.edu; p. 847-467-5530) and your appeal will be reviewed before providing you with an appeal determination.
A determination in writing will be provided by the Associate Dean of Students and Director of ANU within twenty (20) business days of receipt of a completed accommodation appeal, including all supplemental documentation. The determination may have one of three outcomes:
- Upholding the determination as listed in your original accommodation notification letter sent to you by your ANU Advisor
- Sending information back to your ANU Advisor for reconsideration and re-engagement in the accommodation determination interactive process
- Reversing or amending the accommodation notification letter in part or in whole
Once a determination is made, you will be notified of the status of your appeal via email, unless another method of communication is requested.
Grievance Procedures for Discrimination Complaints
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University has adopted internal grievance procedures providing for prompt, equitable and impartial resolution of grievances alleging any action prohibited by the ADA or Section 504. These procedures apply to complaints of discrimination or harassment on the basis of disability by staff, faculty, students and applicants for both University employment and academic admission, vendors, contractors, and third parties. Such a complaint is referred to in these procedures as a “grievance.”
To file a grievance follow the procedures outlined by the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.