Disability FAQ's

     The transition from high school to college is often a challenging time for students.  For students with disabilities, this transition can be even more difficult.  In addition to the typical concerns about academic success, campus safety, roommate issues, and social adjustment, there may also be concerns about disability-related issues.

     Prior to college, parents have often played a major role in advocating for their children's disability needs.  Teachers, guidance counselors, and tutors may also have been involved and provided support.  With these familiar support networks no longer in place, your son or daughter will need to find new resources in college. Parents can help them prepare for this transition during the senior year of high school by having them gradually assume more responsibility for their disability-related needs.

Q. How do I sign up for accommodations?

A. For housing, food allergies, classroom and temporary accommodations, students must register for services using the AIM system (Go to the Office of Accessibility Resources webpage and click on "Register for Services" button). Please review our Documentation Guidelines carefully, and submit any supporting documentation with your registration for accommodations. For ADD/ADHD the ADHD_Verification_Forms will need to be completed and uploaded to AIM. All students registering must complete the Consent for Release of Information form and upload it to AIM as well.

Q. If I have a dietary restriction or Food Allergy, what do I do?

A. Students with dietary restrictions and food allergies are encouraged to contact Gourmet Dining's Registered Dietitian, Melissa Hudock, to discuss your dietary needs. Additionally, it is necessary to fill out the Meal Plan Accommodation Form.

Contact Information: Melissa Hudock, meaton@gourmetdiningllc.com or call/text (856) 371-6090

Q. How do services for college students with disabilities differ from services provided in high school?

A. The laws protecting students with disabilities are different at the high school and post-secondary level.  Rowan University is committed to ensuring that academic programming and services are accessible to students with disabilities.

A very big difference of post-secondary education is that it is not the university's responsibility to identify and provide services to students with disabilities.  Rather, the responsibility is to provide appropriate accommodations when requested to do so.  Accommodations are adjustments to the learning and/or physical environment and are intended to ensure an equal opportunity for participation, e.g., extended time to complete an exam or the use of a computer.

Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter the essential requirements of a course or curriculum.

Q.  Once a student is approved for classroom accommodations, how do they happen?

A.  After the student has met with Accessibility Services and have agreed to approved accommodations, students will be given accommodation letters to give to each of their faculty members. 

Q.  How do I receive permission to bring my Service Animal or ESA (Emotional Support Animal) on campus?

A.  Please refer to the Service and (ESA) Emotional Support Animal Policy via this link: https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Service+and+Emotional+Support+Animals+Policy

Q. If I have a grievance or concern, what do I do?

A. The first step is to set up a meeting with Accessibility Services and discuss your concern. If no resolution can be reached, then refer to the ADA/504 Grievance Procedures for Students:

• Students requesting accommodations under the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act who are dissatisfied with the results of the Accessibility Services / Academic Success Center (ASC) may file a written grievance with the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students within ten days of receipt of the ASC’s decision. The grievant must provide all pertinent documentation supporting the grievance. If the student has been denied accommodations after they have been determined eligible, the process begins at the Office of Disability Resources.

• The grievant must specifically state the reasons for grievance and the action he or she believes should be taken to accommodate the identified disability.

• Within eight days after notification of the grievance, the ASC will report to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students what was done in response to the request for accommodations and the reasons why agreement could not be reached.

• The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students may request additional information from the grievant or the ASC at any time and may discuss the matter with anyone in reaching a decision. The grievance record will be closed when all information is received by the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. The Vice President and Dean of Student’s report and recommendation will be sent to be University President Staff within ten days of the closing of the records.

• Within ten days following the receipt of the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student’s report, the UP Staff will accept, reject or modify the report and recommendation and issue a determination.

• If the grievant is not satisfied with the University President Staff’s determination, he or she can appeal the determination to the President.

• The President must issue a determination within eight days, which is the University’s final decision.

• These timeframes are subject to change in any given manner when essential individuals and/or information is not readily available or when the academic calendar warrants.

Medical Marijuana
Frequently Asked Questions

What is New Jersey’s medical marijuana law?

The "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act” (CUMMA) allows the regulated use of medical marijuana in the State of New Jersey. It establishes a system for Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) to distribute marijuana to qualified patients.

Patients suffering from certain conditions (as defined in the Act) can obtain an ID/registration card by receiving a recommendation (not prescription) from a registered Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) physician with whom they have a “bona fide” relationship. This recommendation must then be presented, along with a registration fee, to the New Jersey Department of Health who will decide whether or not to issue an ID/registration card. The ID/registration card allows the user to purchase certain amounts of marijuana at ATCs. ID/registration cards must be renewed every two years. The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act does not relieve the ATCs, employees of an ATC, and patients from criminal prosecution or civil penalties for activities not authorized by the Act.  Public consumption and impaired driving are still not permitted under the Act.

Additional information from the New Jersey Department of Health about the Medical Marijuana Program can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/health/medicalmarijuana/. 

Can anyone obtain a medical marijuana ID/registration card?

No. Individuals who wish to use medical marijuana must have a recommendation from a qualified doctor and apply to the state. Only individuals who are approved will get an ID/registration card saying they are enrolled in the program.

Why does Rowan prohibit the use and/or possession of medical marijuana on its campuses?

Rowan is subject to the Controlled Substances Act, a federal law which classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug.  Accordingly, the use, possession, cultivation, or sale of marijuana violates federal policy. Importantly, federal grants are subject to Rowan’s compliance with the Drug Free Communities and Schools Act, and the Drug Free Workplace Act, which also prohibit the university from allowing any form of marijuana use on campus.

Thus, although students, staff, and faculty who legally obtain a medical marijuana ID/registration card from the New Jersey Department of Health are allowed to possess and consume certain quantities of marijuana, doing so is not permitted on Rowan’s property or at university-sponsored events (either on or off campus).

If I am a student, staff or faculty member at Rowan, should I contact anyone if I legally obtain a medical marijuana ID/registration card in New Jersey?

As noted above, the use and/or possession of medical marijuana on Rowan’s campuses is prohibited.  Therefore, any student, staff or faculty member who legally obtains a medical marijuana ID/registration card should contact the Academic Success Center – Accessibility Services (students) or the Office of Equity and Diversity (staff/faculty) if s/he wishes to discuss any possible on-campus accommodations (excluding the ability to use or possess medical marijuana on Rowan property). 

What happens if I am a student, staff or faculty member at Rowan who has legally obtained a medical marijuana ID/registration card, and am caught using or possessing medical marijuana on Campus or during a Rowan-sponsored event?

For the reasons addressed above, Rowan does not condone the use, possession, distribution or sale of marijuana (including medical marijuana) on Rowan’s property (including affiliated housing) or at university-sponsored events (either on or off campus).  Thus, anyone caught using or possessing marijuana on Campus (including affiliated housing) or during a university-sponsored event – even if the individual has a legally obtained medical marijuana ID/registration card, and it is being used for medical purposes – will be subject to enforcement and adjudication in accordance with Rowan’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy, the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any applicable local, State and Federal laws.  Accordingly, the use or possession of marijuana (including medical marijuana) on Rowan’s property (including affiliated housing) or at university-sponsored events may result in, among other penalties, confiscation and destruction of the marijuana/marijuana paraphernalia, arrest, fines, loss of housing without refund, termination of employment, mandatory assignment to substance counseling, suspension and/or expulsion.