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Seton Hall University

Disability Support Services (DSS) Appeal Procedure

Disability Support Services (DSS) uses an individual and interactive process to evaluate each student’s situation and documentation, and to determine the appropriate, reasonable accommodations. DSS communicates its decisions to the student in writing through the student's University email. A student who believes DSS did not follow its procedures in the determination of an accommodation or consider relevant information in the process may appeal the decision.

Appeal Procedures

Appeals must be in writing and are submitted to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students via email (deanofstudents@shu.edu). Students must observe the following when submitting an appeal:

  • As these matters are often time-sensitive, students are strongly encouraged to submit their appeal within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision from Disability Support Services.
  • The appeal must be written by the student, not by a third party. Appeals written by anyone other than the student will not be considered.
  • The appeal must enumerate the reasons the student finds that DSS did not follow its procedures or consider relevant information in the process of reaching its decision. The appeal must not include new information. If new information exists, then the student should return to the DSS Office for reconsideration.
  • The appeal may not exceed 1500 words. Appeals longer than 1500 words will not be considered.
  • The appeal should not include documentation already submitted to the DSS Office. The Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will request all documentation from the DSS Office for review as part of the appeal.

For each appeal, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will assemble an ad hoc committee to review the appeal. The committee will consist of faculty and/or administrators with appropriate expertise to determine the appeal. For example, if the accommodation(s) in question is related to classes, the committee members will be faculty with familiarity with the learning objectives for the courses. If the accommodation(s) in question is related to housing, the committee members will be Student Services administrators familiar with the matter. The Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will chair the ad hoc committee.

Ad Hoc Committee

The ad hoc committee will:

  • Review the appeal submitted by the student.
  • Review all documentation submitted to the DSS Office.
  • Request any additional information needed from the DSS staff who reviewed and determined the original request for accommodation.
  • Meet with other faculty or other administrators if the committee finds that would be helpful to their decision-making process.

The ad hoc committee will not normally meet with the student who submitted the appeal but reserves the right to do so.

The Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will inform the student of the ad committee’s decision within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the ad hoc committee is final.

Effective Date

November 20, 2023