I registered as an undergraduate, planning to get a teaching certificate in math. I spent more time with that advisor than the sum total of all the time I had spent with faculty during my entire time in grad school. The Disabilities Office said they cannot investigate without a grievance letter; they claim to have not received my 10.15 letter, even though somehow magically they got Dean Armstrong involved.
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[Seal: THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN]
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Student Services Building 4.104 • 100-B West Dean Keeton Street • Austin, Texas 78712
(512) 471-1201 • FAX (512) 471-7833 • TDD (512) 471-4641
<br>
February 12, 2002
Mr. William Clark
21203 Paseo De Vaca Street
Lago Vista, Texas 78645
Dear Mr. Clark:
I have read your e-mail of Thursday, February 7 asking for a review of your dismissal from the aerospace engineering doctoral program. Specifically, you asked that I examine whether you were discriminated against based on your disability. It is my understanding that you have also filed a grievance against the Department of Aerospace Engineering with the Office of Graduate Studies. If you are not satisfied with the results of the grievance, Dr. Terry Kahn, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, has informed you that you may submit an appeal to Dr. Teresa Sullivan, Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School. I encourage you to await the results of your initial grievance prior to initiating another process with Services for Students with Disabilities. As with any grievance procedure, in order to ensure a just and fair decision, a thorough examination of the facts is necessary. I am sure you can understand the time element needed for the Department of Aerospace Engineering representatives to carefully review your complaint.
However, if you wish to file a grievance based on denial of an academic accommodation, discrimination by an instructor, and/or retaliation because of a request for an accommodation, you must follow the steps outlined in the Services for Students with Disabilities Grievance Policy. The first step in this process is to notify your student affairs administrator, Alyssa Joseph, of your complaint. Ms. Joseph can suggest strategies to assist you in addressing the instructor or she can attempt to mediate the dispute. If she is unable to resolve the dispute, you may file a written complaint with me.
The written complaint should include the following information: 1) identification of the complaining student and his disability; 2) the date of the alleged discriminatory act; 3) a reasonably detailed statement of the relevant facts; and 4) identification of witnesses to any discriminatory action. As Associate Dean of Students for Services for Students with Disabilities, I will investigate your complaint and provide a written response. The investigation should be concluded within thirty working days of receiving the written
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complaint unless circumstances necessitate the need for additional time. In the event that I determine that you were denied a reasonable accommodation, discriminated against based upon your disability, and/or retaliated against as a result of an accommodation request, I will propose remedial measures.
If a violation is found, please be aware that the party accused of violating University policy may appeal my decision within ten working days of notification of the violation. The appeal would be directed to the appropriate University executive officer. The executive officer, in consultation with the ADA Coordinator, shall review the appeal and provide a final decision on the matter within a reasonable time.
Either Alyssa Joseph or I are available to answer any questions you have about the Services for Students with Disabilities Grievance Policy. You may contact us at 471-6259. Also, in response to your question to Vice President for Student Affairs James Vick regarding why your documentation was returned to you, I have consulted with my administrative associate, Sandy Murphree, and was informed that the returned information was your original documentation and we felt you would want to have it returned. A copy of the information remains in our files. I hope this clarifies any confusion regarding the status of your file within our office.
Sincerely,
[Signature: Sherri L. Sanders]
Sherri L. Sanders, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Students