A motion moved at Queen’s Senate made it so students can formally resolve disputes over academic accommodations rather than relying on informal processes.
On Sept. 24, Senate unanimously approved a motion that stemmed from a recommendation made by the Senate Committee on Academic Development and Procedures (SCADP). The motion, imbedded within the meetings third motion, adds a new Dispute Resolution Procedure (DRP) to the University’s existing Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities Policy.
The changes went into effective immediately following the approval.
According to the University’s Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities Policy, the DRP establishes a formal mechanism for the resolutions of disputes between students and faculty regarding disputes over academic accommodations. It can only be initiated after informal resolution processes have been explored.
Before entering the formal process, students can work with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). QSAS supports students in resolving accommodation-related conflicts and can consult instructors, academic supervisors, faculty or school administrators, and other University personnel. The policy also directs students to notify QSAS immediately if they experience difficulties implementing on approved accommodation.
The policy addition outlines different procedures for students experiencing accommodation-related issues in two scenarios: the denial of an accommodation request or disagreement with an approved accommodation plan, and the failure to implement an approved accommodation.
In a statement to The Journal, Special Advisor (Academic Accommodations and Considerations) Brenda Brouwer said there will be no changes in how students seek academic accommodation and will continue to follow Queen’s Student Accessibility Servicesprocesses.
Brouwer said accommodation matters have historically been addressed through discussions between instructors, QSAS, and other University personnel, rather than through a formal dispute process.
The policy’s analysis outlines that the need for a DRP was “identified in the external review of academic accommodations and consideration at Queen’s in 2024.”
Brouwer said the policy needed a “clear pathway” for addressing disputes that would lead to a definitive conclusion in a timely manner.
The procedure was developed by the University’s Academic Accommodation Interim Working Group. The group includes faculty members, undergraduate and graduate student representatives, academic administrators, and staff from QSAS and Human Rights and Equity Services.
It was approved by the Senior Leadership Team in August 2026, which includes the principal, provost, vice-principals, as well as the University’s general counsel and senior administrative staff.
According to the motion’s Senate Executive Summary, SCADP approved the change within their committee earlier in the month on Sept. 3.
The policy underwent public consultation before its approval, according to the report.
SCADP members also provided feedback on the policy, with some concerns raised about the immediate implementation of the policy change.
Usually, policy changes take effect at the beginning of an academic year or term to provide adequate time between approval and implementation for communication and preparation.
However, the SCADP decided to recommend approval with immediate effect to support students currently involved in ongoing accommodation-related disputes and because the existence of a DRP is a requirement under existing legislation.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission policy on accessible education for students with disabilities states that “education providers need to provide an effective and transparent process to resolve disputes that arise in the accommodation process,” according to Brouwer. She said the DRP achieves this.
Senate also received a separate new process for students seeking retroactive academic accommodations, which apply when a student requests accommodation after a deadline, assessment, course, or other academic requirement has passed. The process was developed to clarify which University bodies are responsible for reviewing and approving these requests.
Under the process, students first submit their request and supporting documentation to QSAS. QSAS determines whether the request meets the threshold. If it does, the student’s faculty or school determines the appropriate accommodation.
SCADP welcomed the process and had no concerns about immediate implementation. The committee also recommended that the process be listed alongside the governing policy on the Senate Index of Policies to ensure the process applies institutionally.
Tags
academic accommodations, Queen's Senate, Students with disabilities
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