WashU Guidance for Faculty on Responding to Extenuating Circumstances in the Classroom
Resource Overview
A guide to providing student accommodations at WashU
The information below comes from the WashU Guidance for Faculty on Responding to Extenuating Circumstances in the Classroom (SP 2025) published by the Office of the Provost.
Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment or any other Title IX issues
Who will contact faculty?
Licensed Counselor in RSVP Center, GETIXCO Director or Assistant Director
What might student ask of faculty?
Might ask to withdraw/drop class, alter group project assignments, switch to a different section, rearrange seating charts, complete assignments remotely, receive alternate assignment, or move testing dates or assignment deadlines.
What should I do?
Refrain from contacting the student about this issue (unless you learn that is the student’s preference) to ensure complete confidentiality about this student concern, and work with a licensed counselor from the RSVP Center and/or GETIXCO staff to offer supportive measures to address the student’s needs to the best of your ability.
Acute Medical Issues – Mental and Physical Health
Who will contact faculty?
Student, Mental Health Counselor or Physician/Clinician, Academic Dean
What might student ask of faculty?
Might ask to withdraw/drop class, complete assignments remotely, or move testing dates or assignment deadlines.
What should I do?
If a student is in distress as a result of an acute mental or physical health issue without indicating an underlying disability, and approaches you with an academic request, we encourage you to consider what options may exist to support the student on a short-term basis without jeopardizing the integrity of the learning objectives or course. If you are concerned about the physical or mental well-being of a student, please consider filing a WashU Cares report.
Student Health Center (SHC) policy does not supply medical excuse notes for missing class, delaying a test or assignment deadline (except COVID/Flu isolation). If a student is hospitalized or suffering from a significant medical or mental health issue requiring a prolonged absence, SHC will work with the student and their dean’s office to verify their support. Since a medical excuse note cannot be obtained from SHC, it should not be required to grant an exception. The Center for Counseling & Psychological Services (CCPS) follows the same policy as the SHC.
COVID /Flu symptoms or exposure requiring isolation
Who will contact faculty?
Student
What might student ask of Faculty?
Absence from in-person class activities will be necessary.
What should I do?
Encourage students to contact the Student Health Center (314-935-4959) if they haven’t already. You may request the student forward the letter they received from SHC documenting their instructions to isolate for a period of time. During periods of high transmission, it may not be feasible for all students to receive documentation from SHC.
Student discloses a Disability, or a need for accommodations related to a disability [American Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act]
Who will contact faculty?
Disabled Students seeking to utilize accommodations for which they are eligible through Disability Resources will provide their faculty an Accommodation Letter indicating their approved accommodations.
What student they ask of Faculty?
Student may require accommodations for:
- Learning (note-takers, reduced course loads),
- Testing (extended time, use of a computer for essay exams, reduced distraction test location), or
- Access (physically accessible classroom, accessible web, electronic and information technology).
What should I do?
Responsibility for disability-related accommodations and access is shared by Disability Resources (DR), faculty, and the student. Faculty are expected to provide or allow accommodations for which the student has been approved. While DR encourages students to disclose early in the term, students become eligible to utilize accommodations upon disclosure. Faculty with question or concerns about accommodations in the context of a specific course, have an obligation to  communicate any concerns to Disability Resources in a timely manner (disabilityresources@wustl.edu).
Disability Resources suggests including an additional statement welcoming students to share their WashU Accommodation Letter with you and arranging to discuss how accommodations will be implemented in your class.