FAQ for faculty and staff when working with students seeking remote attendance to in-person courses or exceptions to wearing a face covering.

When working with a student who has disclosed that they have a disability and/or an underlying medical condition.

When should a student be referred to Disability Services for a COVID-19 related accommodation request?

Students should be referred to Disability Services once information is shared that states or implies the student has a disability or underlying medical condition that puts them at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Will documentation be required of students with underlying medical conditions in relation to COVID-19 when requesting an academic accommodation?

Yes, documentation of a disability or underlying medical condition that puts them at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is required to support accommodation requests through Disability Services. Disability Services will consider each request on a case-by-case basis with consideration of all the information available at the time of the request.

Individuals who are sixty-five (65) years and older are considered to be at an increased risk of severe illness regarding COVID-19, and would not have to provide documentation given that information is already available from the Registrar.

What accommodations might be available to students who want to enroll in an in-person course with no current remote alternative option?

Students with a disability or underlying medical condition that puts them at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should consider enrolling in remote alternative options when possible.

Accommodations for in-person components of a course may include remote attendance, alternative masks, attendance flexibility, preferential seating, and ability to leave a classroom unexpectedly.

All accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with consideration of the student’s disability in addition to the structure and essential learning outcomes of the course.

What housing or dining accommodations might be available to students with an underlying medical condition in relation to COVID-19?

Students seeking housing accommodations should contact HousingAccommodations@colorado.edu directly or visit the Housing and Dining Policies, Forms and Accommodations page for more information.

What if the student cannot wear a face covering due to a stated medical condition or concern related to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy at CU Boulder requires all members of the university community to wear a cloth face covering (over nose and mouth), especially when unable to maintain a distance of at least 12 feet. The measures described in the policy are critical to protect all members of the campus community, including individuals at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Students should work with their medical providers to identify a suitable mask for their needs whenever possible. Accommodations for students in these circumstances will be approved by Disability Services with consideration of the health and safety of all individuals on campus.

As stated in Student conduct expectations: Updates for fall 2020, students who are found to be allegedly violating health and safety expectations will go through the Student Conduct process.

Can/should students request accommodations including remote learning from faculty directly?

Any student can ask for remote learning options and other accommodations from faculty. However, if a student is asking about an accommodation due to a medical condition, faculty should refer the student to Disability Services and not ask the student for details about their medical condition or disability, including not asking for medical documentation. Disability Services staff are trained to ask the appropriate questions and obtain proper documentation.

If it is not clear to a faculty member why a student is requesting an accommodation from a faculty member, such as remote attendance, they may ask for general reasons. If the reason is related to a disability or underlying medical condition, the student should be referred to Disability Services.

When working with a student with no known disability or underlying medical condition.

Will Disability Services support a student’s request if they do not have any underlying medical condition and are just uncomfortable being in an in-person class due to the risk of contracting COVID-19?

No, Disability Services works with students with disabilities and/or temporary medical conditions which will require documentation.

What if a student is unable to enroll in a remote alternative due to student visa limitations or other concerns?

International students should work with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to identify their individual needs and visa requirements. See the ISSS COVID-19 Updates, FAQs & Resources page for more information.

What if a student is unable to enroll in a remote alternative due to changes in their financial well-being?

Students facing financial difficulty should work with the Office of Financial Aid. See the COVID-19 Financial Aid Information page for more information.

What if a student refuses to wear a face covering in classrooms and other public spaces on campus?

As stated in Student conduct expectations: Updates for fall 2020, students who are allegedly violating health and safety expectations, including wearing a face covering over their nose and mouth, should be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Are faculty allowed to ask "why" students want to be remote instead of in-person? Would students need to provide documentation of their circumstances?

If it is not clear why a student is requesting an accommodation from a faculty member, such as remote attendance, they may ask for general reasons. If the reason is related to a disability or underlying medical condition, the student should be referred to Disability Services.

Faculty should refrain from asking any student for documentation or medical information to support COVID-19 related requests.