Applies to: Students
Policy Holder: Dean of Students
Responsible Office: Dean of Students
Contact Information: Dean of Students
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Reason for Policy
This policy complies with the Minnesota Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act (§135A.163) and aligns with the law school’s goal of ensuring that students know how to access resources through the office of Disability Services. The Disability Services team is here to support students during their law school education and encourages students to reach out regarding any accommodations process questions.
This policy provides awareness to the Mitchell Hamline School of Law (MHSL) community concerning the Minnesota RISE Act. The RISE Act addresses the need for an interactive process for students to explore reasonable accommodations in higher education and institutional responsibilities to facilitate this process.
Policy Statement
Mitchell Hamline School of Law (MHSL) is committed to ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities, programs, and services for all qualified students in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Minnesota Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act, and other applicable state laws. MHSL does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of its education-related programs.
Students with disabilities who would like to explore accommodation can do so by following the accommodation request process. This interactive process includes students completing a disability-related questionnaire and meeting with a Disability Services team member to discuss and determine reasonable accommodations. Questions about supporting students (prospective, admitted, current, or graduated) who have disclosed disability-related access needs should be referred to the Disability Services team.
If an instructor refuses or cannot provide reasonable accommodation, a written statement that includes the rationale for this decision will be provided to students as required by the Minnesota RISE Act. The Disability Services team strongly encourages instructors to partner with the Disability Services department in preparing this statement.
Additional Information
Students with disabilities requesting accommodation should be aware of the following terminology* regarding determination of reasonable accommodations.
- Academic Standards (Rigor): An institution is not required to lower the quality of academic standards or production standards to make an accommodation. This includes the comprehensive set of learning objectives and demonstrated student learning outcomes the school connects to its courses and programs of study.
- Fundamental alteration: A change so significant that it alters the essential nature of the program, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, activities, or accommodations offered.
- Personal Services: Are distinguished from reasonable accommodations and are not provided by Mitchell Hamline School of Law, but the student may choose to acquire and use such services, i.e., individual assistants or coaches.
- Reasonable accommodation: any change to an educational program, a public environment, or the way things are customarily done that allows an individual with a disability/condition to experience equal access to opportunities available to other individuals in the academic environment.
- Undue Burden/Hardship: An action requiring significant difficulty or expense when considering several factors, including the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the institution.
*Acknowledgement: Metro State University for use of terminology included in this section.
Related Policies, Procedures, Processes, Forms, Handbooks/Manuals, Guidelines, FAQs, and Other Resources
Prospective student accommodation information
- Includes frequently asked questions for prospective students and information about how to self-disclose and initiate the accommodation request process.
Requesting accommodations process
- Provides the accommodation request form and subsequent steps for Disability Services and students to explore reasonable accommodations.
Documentation guidelines information
- Outlines documentation sufficient to explore and establish reasonable accommodation at MHSL.
Reasonable accommodation information
- Provides examples of potential reasonable accommodation for students.
Disability discrimination grievance policy
- Grievances related to the MN RISE Act Policy will be processed using the systematic steps of the pre-established Dean of Students grievance policy.