SAS Acknowledgements
Responsible Employee Reporting
SAS staff are designated as Responsible Employees at UTRGV. This means that staff have the duty to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, staff must also report issues or behavior concerning the welfare of a student perceived to be harmful, worrisome, or threatening to the individual student or others. It is essential for the university to provide the support students need to be safe from harm. Please know that this information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis and that SAS staff are here to help.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Procedural Guidelines Acknowledgement
I have been informed about the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Procedural Guidelines. This online manual contains information about services and procedures which may apply to me as a student who is registered with SAS. The Procedural Guidelines is located at https://www.utrgv.edu/accessibility/procedural-guidelines/index.htm.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Student Guide Acknowledgement
I have been informed about the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Student Guide. This guide contains general information about services and procedures which may apply to me as a student who is registered with SAS. A link to the guide is located at https://www.utrgv.edu/accessibility/students/documentation-guidelines/index.htm.
I agree to read the guide and comply with the program requirements and procedures as indicated while I am attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and receiving services from Student Accessibility Services.
Student Records Policy Acknowledgement
I understand that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. SAS takes all reasonable steps to protect the privacy of information from such records. FERPA does, however, allow SAS to disclose information from a student’s education records, without consent, to school officials with a legitimate educational interest.
Agreement for Recording of Classroom Lecture by Students with Disabilities
As per the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and ADA Amendments Act, institutions of higher education are mandated to ensure reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. One such accommodation is audio recording of classroom lectures for certain students, who need an audio reinforcement, to comprehend class lectures or in lieu of a note-taker in the class. Students who have been granted this accommodation shall sign the following statement, acknowledging the rights and responsibilities associated with this accommodation. The recordings will be used exclusively for private study and will not be shared or sold to others. A violation of this agreement may result in the accommodation being withdrawn and is considered to be a student code of conduct infraction.
RECORDED LECTURES Students who have a qualifying disability that limits their independence have the right to record class lectures for their personal study only. Lectures recorded for this reason may not be shared with other people without the consent of the lecturer. Recorded lectures may not be used in any way against the faculty member, other lecturers or students whose classroom comments are recorded as a part of the class activity. Information contained in the recorded lecture is protected under federal copyright laws and may not be published or quoted without the expressed consent of the lecturer and without identifying and giving proper credit to the lecturer. The agreement below must be signed by the student before lecturers can be recorded.
RECORDED LECTURES PROCEDURE A student with a qualifying disability must be registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The student has voluntarily provided the appropriate documentation pertaining to the disability to SAS. When accommodations related to recording class lecture or activity have been discussed and agreed to by the student and approved by the SAS Departmental Review Committee (DRC), the student will acknowledge the pledge with a digital signature which will be saved to the student’s SAS record.
SAS Grievance Procedure
For any complaint related to accommodations, students can file an informal grievance by speaking with the Director or Assistant Director of SAS and submitting the claim in writing with any and all pertinent information concerning the grievance. The Director will investigate the claim and will attempt to resolve the complaint informally. Students who are not satisfied with the resolution may at any time continue with the formal complaint process. Refer to the UTRGV complaint procedure concerning accommodations for individuals with disabilities in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) located at https://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/adm-03-100.pdf. Additional information can be located at https://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/adm-03-200.pdf.
For students seeking to submit a complaint/grievance related to accommodations or SAS services, please complete the form at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofTexasRGV&layout_id=2 within 10 business days of the incident or communication. Upon receipt, Student Rights and Responsibilities staff will direct the concern to the appropriate staff and/or department(s). I have read and understand the SAS Grievance Procedure.
Vaquero Honor Code
Student Accessibility Services follows all standards of conduct expected of students enrolled at the University, including those related to academic dishonesty and the Vaquero Honor Code, which are specified by the Student Conduct Code. https://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/stu-02-100.pdf.
Suspected academic dishonesty during testing will result in the videotape, screen shot, or other evidence being submitted to the instructor. The incident will also be reported to Student Rights and Responsibilities. The instructor will determine whether the student is/is not engaging in dishonest behavior during testing and will proceed accordingly.
Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. Please refer to the Student Conduct Code for additional information.
Failure to comply with the Student Conduct Code may result in the student being referred to the Student Rights and Responsibilities office.
SAS Video/Audio Consent
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) has installed video cameras in the SAS testing center. All students taking their exams in the testing center will be videotaped and may be audiotaped. Please note that the recordings are used for test security purposes only and will not be distributed to other departments for any other reason. Any student who does not sign this consent form will need to make arrangements with his/her professors for a separate, distraction-free testing area in their respective departments.
By signing this form, I understand and agree to give consent to the UTRGV Student Accessibility Services Office to video and/or audiotape me when I take exams in the Student Accessibility Services testing center.
*Please agree or disagree to the acknowledgements listed above.