Accommodations Policies and Procedures

We ask that students, both undergraduate, and graduate, please review our Policies and Procedures, contained on their respective pages in the Department of Accessibility Services section of the Babson Student Portal. After reading the policies and procedures, you will see that each page contains three linked green boxes. These links will open in a separate window, and direct you off of Babson's Student Portal to our AIM Student Portal.

1. To Register with DAS, click on the Register with Accessibility Services Link; this is for students who are not yet approved for academic accommodations at Babson College.
2. To Request Academic Accommodations at the beginning of each course, click on the second link titled Request Accommodations; this is for students who have been approved for academic accommodations at Babson, and are enrolled in courses during a given semester.
3. To Submit Exam Requests each semester by the DROP/ADD deadline, click on the Submit Exam Requests Link. This is for students who have been approved for academic accommodations at Babson, are enrolled in courses during a given semester, and need to arrange for testing accommodations within their course(s). Students must add each exam and quiz for each course every semester.

If you are unable to access the Babson Student Portal via the links above, please email support@babson.edu, call 781-239-4357 (HELP), or visit the Help Desk in Horn 220.

Request Academic Accommodations

Extra Time Accommodations

Should you be approved for an extra time accommodation, we would like to include a few recommendations regarding scheduling of classes. Below, you will find the time required to have between courses to avoid an academic conflict due to extra time. An academic conflict due to extra time is when the extended exam time runs over the start time of another course. If the time between your courses is less than the key given below, you have an academic conflict; and you will not be allowed to miss the course following your exam.

1.5x Extra Time

• 3 credit: need at least 35 min before next course + travel time to class
• 4 credit: need at least 40 min before next course + travel time to class

2.0x Extra Time

• 3 credit: need at least 75 min before next course + travel time to class
• 4 credit: need at least 90 min before next course + travel time to class

To avoid this, we suggest that you take this into serious consideration when creating your schedule. Our recommendation for a typical 4-class semester is to have two courses on Monday/Wednesday, and two courses on Tuesday/Thursday—with one class in the morning, and one class in the afternoon.

The Glavin Office of International Education and the Accessibility Services are committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students. The key to a successful experience for students is advance planning, as attitudes, accessibility, and accommodations for students may vary at different program sites.

Education Abroad

Before selecting an education abroad program students should meet with an Education Abroad Advisor in the Glavin Office of International Education to determine the program of best fit for their individual needs. In addition to assisting with program selection, the advisor can also speak with the program provider or overseas institution directly to help arrange for certain accommodations, and can help ensure that students will have access to resources that will make their Education Abroad experience a successful one. 

It is very important that accommodations are arranged before you matriculate. Prior approval may be necessary at some institutions, and it may not be possible to arrange accommodations upon arrival in the selected country.

The Office of Accessibility Services will send a letter to the Education Abroad program or exchange partner verifying approved accommodations at Babson College. Please note that not all accommodations existing at Babson College may be available at Education Abroad programs or institutions.

To request accommodations abroad, students complete and submit the Education Abroad Accommodation Application. Be sure to include the following information:

• Name of Education Abroad Institution
• First and Last Name of Program Contact
• Email of Program Contact

Please contact Accessibility Services with any questions.

Short Term Program

Prior to selecting a Short-Term Program, students should meet with a Short-Term Program Manager in the Glavin Office of International Education to determine which program is the best fit for their individual needs. In addition to assisting with program selection, the program manager can speak directly with the course's faculty, course administrator, third-party provider, and/or in-country partners to help arrange for certain accommodations, and can help ensure that students will have access to resources that will make their Short-Term Program experience a successful one.

To request Short-Term Program accommodations students complete and submit the Short Term Programs Application Form. Be sure to include the following information in your application:

• Name and dates of Short-Term Program
• First and Last Name of Program Manager
• Email of Program Manager

Accessibility Services will send a letter to the Short-Term Program Manager and to the faculty leading the short-term program verifying approved accommodations.

Additional Resources

Student Testimonial

• Universal Design in Spain, Daniel O'Hanlon '21

Accommodations Abroad

• Education Abroad and Short-Term Programs

Other Resources

• Mobility Deck: Eight disability travel bloggers share their experiences engaging the world.
• Mental Health Abroad/Student Stories: England, Exams, Mental Health, and Me Facing Disabilities Abroad: A Few Steps 4 Steps to Stay Mentally Healthy Abroad
• Go Abroad.com: Tips for planning travel abroad with a physical disability.
• Abroad with Disabilities: Resources on going abroad with a disability.
• Mobility International USA: Provides information on education and travel abroad for people with accessibility needs. Includes resources on access, inclusive practices and advocacy and individual reflections of experiences abroad.
• Country Specific Information on Accessibility from the University of Minnesota
• U.S. Department of State: Provides tips for students with disabilities for selecting a program, preparing to go, and living abroad.
• Transitions Abroad: Resources, Programs, and Stories for intentions to go abroad with the focus on accessibility.

Please contact Accessibility Services with any questions. For more resources on receiving accommodations abroad, please visit the Glavin Office of International Education.

Accessible Parking

There are accessible parking spots in every parking lot on campus. To apply for an accessible parking sticker/medical decal, you must provide a doctor’s letter and appropriate documentation to the Department of Public Safety. To receive more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at 781-239-5555, publicsafety@babson.edu, or you may visit them at the Public Safety Building located along Sullivan Road next to Forest Hall.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Medical and Safety Escorts

The Babson College Public Safety Department assists in providing medical, counseling, accessibility, and safety escorts to Babson College and Olin College students. To learn more about this process, please visit the Department of Public Safety's page on Medical and Safety Escorts.

Babson College recognizes that some students have special dietary needs related to medical conditions. Babson has set up a procedure to ensure that all requests are appropriately considered. All meal plan accommodation requests will be reviewed on an individual basis for students with documented medical needs by the Meal Plan Committee. The Meal Plan Committee is composed of staff members from Student Success, Campus Life Student Services, and Babson Dining, who consult with staff members from Health Services and Counseling & Psychological Services to determine eligibility for a meal plan accommodation.

• Please review the Process to Request a Meal Plan Accommodation.
• If you are a clinician who has been asked by a student to fill out documentation, please follow the link to our Medical Documentation Form.

The Process to Request a Meal Plan Accommodation

First, complete the Nutrition Outreach Form.  After completing this form a Registered Dietitian or a staff member of Dining Operations will contact the student to arrange a meeting. During this meeting, staff will further educate the student on dining opportunities specific to their nutritional concern and introduce the student to allergen-trained staff, etc.

If after meeting with a staff member, you feel that it is necessary to participate in the Meal Plan Accommodations process based on a medical disability, you must complete the following steps:

1. Ask your clinician to complete the Medical Documentation Form. Without proper documentation, your application will be considered incomplete.
2. Complete and submit a Dining & Meal Plan Accommodation application by clicking on the button below. Please be as thorough and specific as you can to expedite the application review process.
3. As part of the interactive process, a student meeting is required. This meeting will only be scheduled after steps one and two have been completed. The Committee has set aside time to meet with students on Thursday afternoons 1-2pm. Meetings with Mitali Bixby can be made during scheduled Office Hours on Mondays 1-2pm and Thursday mornings 10am-11am or by appointment.
4. Any approval under this policy is valid for one academic year, if approved prior to, or during, the fall semester. If the accommodation is approved after the fall semester, the approval is valid for the spring semester only. To receive the same accommodation in each academic year, students must resubmit only the Meal Plan Accommodation Request Form with supporting documentation.  Deadlines to resubmit a Meal Plan request form for the following academic year coincide with the student's spring semester course registration dates.

Dining & Meal Plan Policy for All Students Who Live On Campus

In accordance with the Undergraduate Housing License and Meal Plan Agreement, except as specifically outlined below, a meal plan is required for all undergraduate students who live in a residence hall. Returning students have the option to select a meal plan exempt residence on campus during the room selection process, if available. Meal plan exempt residences on campus include Woodland Hill 9, Woodland Hill 10, and select rooms in Bryant (107, 108, 109, 208, 209, 210).

Dining Wellness

Babson Dining Services is happy to support those students with food allergies and other dietary concerns. For an overview of services visit Wellness. For Nutritional Counseling please contact Student Health Services at 781-239-6363, to arrange a meeting with the Registered Dietitian.

Fueling Your Unique Lifestyle (FYUL) Program

Through the Fueling Your Unique Lifestyle (FYUL) Program guests will enjoy a variety of functional foods developed around sustainability, wellness, and allergen-friendly options. Our FYUL concept, located in Trim Dining Hall, removes 9 major allergens including gluten from all of its dishes. All of our food is produced at the station by our allergen-trained culinary team and served by our associates to help lessen cross-contact.

SPACE (Special Product Allergen Controlled Eating) Area

In addition to FYUL, we host an area of the dining hall called SPACE (Special Product Allergen Controlled Eating) which hosts refrigerated items non-allergenic items, a GF Waffle Maker, toaster, and microwave oven used solely for foods without gluten to minimize cross-contact. Students with food allergies/celiac disease are welcome to utilize these areas.

Accessibility Services at Babson College is responsible for collecting and holding disability documentation. The Office is committed to ensuring that information regarding a student remains confidential as required or permitted by law. Information will not be released without consent unless federal or state law requires it. Information will be shared with others in the College community on a need-to-know basis only. Refer to FERPA guidelines in the Student Handbook.

Babson College refers to the Guidelines for Documentation developed by The Association of Higher Education and Disability in verifying documentation submitted by students with specific disabilities. Students must submit current documentation (as appropriate) to verify the specific disability with Accessibility Services.

Documentation supplied by a licensed clinician must include recommendations for accommodations. The recommendations made by clinicians are weighed heavily in determinations of accommodations, but, are not binding in nature. Accessibility Services reserves the right to disagree/override recommendation made by a clinician. The nature of the disagreement with recommendations may be due to, but not limited to:

• Differences in learning environments
• Differences in missions from K-12 special education services and higher education
• Lack of application between the disability and recommendation
• Inappropriate use of the term “accommodation.”

Documentation Guidelines

• Documentation Guidelines for ADHD
• Documentation Guidelines for Asthma Environmental Allergies
• Documentation Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Documentation Guidelines for Blind or Low Vision
• Documentation Guidelines for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Documentation Guidelines for Food Allergies
• Documentation Guidelines for Head Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury
• Documentation Guidelines for Learning Disabilities
• Documentation Guidelines for Medical Conditions
• Documentation Guidelines for Physical Disabilities or Systemic Illnesses
• Documentation Guidelines for Psychiatric Disorders
• Documentation Guidelines for Temporary Medical Condition

We suggest that when you upload your documentation, you first read the documentation guidlines that most closely match your diagnoses. If you are not sure if your documentation meets criteria, please contact accessibility@babson.edu, and/or upload what you have. A member of our staff will reach out to you, should more documentation be required.

Babson College recognizes that some students have special housing needs related to medical and/or psychological conditions. Babson has set up a procedure to ensure that all requests are appropriately considered on an individualized basis. Requests for Medical Housing Accommodations are handled by the Babson College Medical Housing Review Committee. The Committee is comprised of staff members from Academic Services, Counseling Services (CAPS), Student Health Services, and Housing Operations. The Committee meets once a week to evaluate applications and determine eligibility for accommodations.

Undergraduate Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Housing

The College is unable to offer graduate student housing.​​​​​​​​

Transfer Housing

While Babson College will do all that it can to accommodate transfer students, we are unable to guarantee that we will be able to do so. Academic year assignments will be processed in late July/August based on availability and date of application. Spring assignments will be processed in December based on availability and date of application. Further information, instructions, and the application will be available on the Babson Student Portal.

For more information about Babson Housing, please visit the Housing Operations page, and the Residence Education page on the Babson Student Portal.

Housing Policies and Practices

1. Introduction and Background
   Babson College recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations in its housing policies and practices where necessary for individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the College housing program. This Policy explains the specific requirements and guidelines that govern requests for reasonable accommodations in College housing. Babson College reserves the right to amend this policy at any time as circumstances require.
2. Procedure for Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
   Requests for Medical Housing Accommodations are handled by the Babson College Medical Housing Review Committee. The Committee is comprised of staff members from Academic Services, Counseling Services (CAPS), Student Health Services, and Housing Operations. The Committee meets once a week, on Wednesdays, to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary and reasonable. Individuals with a disability who reside or intend to reside in College housing who believe they need a reasonable accommodation must contact Accessibility Services. Requests for reasonable accommodation in College housing policies and practices are governed by the following requirements:
   1. Requesting a Housing Accommodation
      1. A student with a disability must complete and submit the Online Housing and Dining Application to request a reasonable accommodation, with the necessary supporting documentation. For more information, please see “Documentation Requirements,” above. If the student requires assistance in completing the application because of their disability, Accessibility Services will provide assistance in completing the form.
      2. The Medical Housing Accommodation Committee meets once a week to review applications, and determine eligibility. Once the application and documentation is reviewed, the Committee will email the student with next steps.
      3. Any approval under this policy is valid for one academic year. If approved for Medical Housing for the spring semester only, students must apply for the fall semester as the fall semester constitutes the start of a new academic year. Students need to resubmit the Medical Housing Request Form with supporting documentation by the deadlines included above.
   2. Importance of Deadlines
      Babson College will accept and consider requests for reasonable accommodations in college housing at any time. Incomplete requests will delay the review process, and may result in a denial of the requested accommodation. Students who request and are approved for Medical Housing after the applicable deadline will be placed only if, and when, an appropriate space becomes available. Deadlines are established to allow requests to be evaluated prior to the general housing selection process. Medical Housing deadlines are purposefully set to take place the semester before an upcoming term of occupancy to guarantee that a placement can be made to fulfill a students’ needs. Students are advised to start the process early to allow adequate time to obtain necessary documentation by the stated deadline.
      1. Upcoming Semester Requests
         If the request for accommodation is made after the stated deadline for move into college housing in an upcoming semester, Babson College cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the individual’s accommodation needs during the first semester or term of occupancy.
      2. Current Semester Requests
         If the need for an accommodation arises when an individual already resides in College housing, they should contact Accessibility Services and complete the application as soon as practicably possible. Babson College cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the accommodation needs during the semester or term in which the request is received.
         Absent exceptional circumstances, the College will attempt to provide a written response to a reasonable accommodation request within fourteen business days of receiving the information described in the next section.
3. Information that May Be Requested for Housing-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests
   Accessibility Services shall limit its requests for information to only the information necessary to verify whether the student making the request has a disability and/or to evaluate if the reasonable accommodation is necessary to provide the student an equal opportunity to fully participate in College housing.
   1. Obvious Disability
      If the individual’s disability and the necessity for the accommodation are obvious (e.g. a student with a physical disability using a wheelchair needs an accessible room), the individual need only explain what type of accommodation they are requesting. No verification of disability and/or necessity is required under these circumstances.
   2. Non-Obvious Disability/Necessity
      1. If the disability is obvious but the need for the accommodation is not obvious, the College may require the individual to complete the Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form for Babson College Housing (“Verification Form”) and designate a health care provider or other professional who can verify that the requested accommodation is necessary to provide the individual an equal opportunity to fully participate in College housing.
      2. If the disability and necessity for the accommodation are not obvious, the Accessibility Services will require the individual to complete the Verification Form and designate a healthcare provider or other professional (e.g., a physician, optometrist, psychiatrist, psychologist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse), who can verify that the individual has a disability and that the requested accommodation is necessary to provide the individual an equal opportunity to fully participate in College housing.
      3. If the third party returns the Verification Form without sufficient information for Accessibility Services to determine whether an accommodation is necessary, the Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee will inform the individual in writing of the verification’s insufficiency and may request additional information, including speaking directly with the individual supplying the third-party verification, within ten (10) business days of receiving the verification.
      4. The individual making the request for accommodation must cooperate with the Accessibility Services in a timely manner in providing all information needed to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary.
4. Determination of Reasonableness
   1. The Accessibility Services may deny the requested accommodation if it is unreasonable. The Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee will determine if implementing the requested accommodation is reasonable.
   2. An accommodation is unreasonable if it:
      1. imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden;
      2. fundamentally alters College housing policies;
      3. poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial property damage to the property of others, including College property; and/or
      4. is otherwise unreasonable to the operation of the College.
5. Approval of Accommodation
   If the Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee determines a requested accommodation is necessary and is not unreasonable, it will contact the student, in writing, within seven (7) business days of its determination. It is important to note that Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee meets once a week, on Wednesdays, to review applications, and the seven business days begin once eligibility is determined. If a student submits their application less than 48 hours before the committee meets, processing may be delayed up to one week.
6. Denial of Accommodation/Appeal
   1. If the Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee determines a requested accommodation is necessary but unreasonable, the committee will contact the student, in writing, within seven (7) business days of its determination and engage in an interactive process with the student to determine if there are alternative accommodations that might effectively meet the individual’s disability-related needs.
   2. If the individual is unwilling to accept any alternative accommodation offered by the Medical Housing Accommodation Review Committee or there are no alternative accommodations available, the committee will provide a verbal explanation and written notification to the individual of the denial, the reasons for the denial, the right to appeal the decision, and the procedures for that appeals process. The notification shall be in writing and made within seven (7) business days of the notification from the student of their unwillingness to accept any of the alternative accommodations offered or the determination that there are no alternative accommodations available.
   3. All appeals are reviewed by the Associate Dean of Students for Wellness. If the appeal is denied, the Associate Dean of Students for Wellness shall provide written notification of the denial to the student and a written explanation with all of the reasons for the denial. If the appeal is approved, the Associate Dean of Students for Wellness shall provide written notification of the approval to the student and a written explanation of next steps.
   4. If the appeal process is not to a students’ satisfaction, please contact the Accessibility Services staff for appropriate guidance and next steps.
7. Confidentiality and Recordkeeping
   In processing requests for reasonable accommodations, the College will take all steps required by federal, state, and/or local law to protect the confidentiality of any information or documentation disclosed in connection with the requests. Such measures may include limiting access to such information to individuals specifically designated to determine and implement requests for reasonable accommodations, who will disclose the information only to the extent necessary to determine whether to grant the request, determine if the request is unreasonable, and implement any request granted, keeping all written requests and accompanying documentation in a secure area to which only those designated individuals have access, except as otherwise required by law.
8. Non-retaliation Provision
   Babson College will not retaliate against any individual because that individual has requested or received a reasonable accommodation in College housing.

Other Policies

• Babson College Emotional Support Animal Policy
• Babson College Service Animal Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am approved for a Medical Housing Accommodation, may I bring my roommate(s) with me?

No, approved Medical Housing Accommodations are only applicable to the applicant

If I am approved for a Medical Housing Accommodation, may I request a specific building or room for reassignment in which to live?

No, a student will be assigned to the building/room that best meets their medical needs and that are available at the time of the request.

If I apply for a Medical Housing Accommodation after the applicable deadline, am I guaranteed that my accommodation will be implemented?

Students who request and are approved for a Medical Housing Accommodation after the applicable deadline will be placed if and when an appropriate space becomes available.

Do I need to apply for Medical Housing Accommodations every academic year?

Any approval under this policy is valid for one academic year. Students need to resubmit the Medical Housing Request Form with current supporting documentation. If approved for Medical Housing for the SPRING semester only, students must apply for the FALL semester as the FALL semester constitutes the start of a new academic year.

Students who need Temporary Injury/Health Impairment Accommodations should complete and submit the Temporary Health Accommodation Form and schedule an appointment to meet with a staff member in the Department of Accessibility Services.