All of the supports listed below are optional and a student’s choice to participate or decline will not impact academic accommodations.

Tutoring

In addition to the campus wide tutoring services, students registered with LSS have access to peer tutoring for many of the first and second year courses. Peer tutors are recruited, trained, and paid for through the LSS Office. If a student is interested in working with a tutor, they will be given access to a tutor list.

The student and the peer tutor negotiate the time and place for their tutoring session. The tutor will complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to LSS. It is best to request a tutor for any course that causes concern. For example, if taking a math course and this is not a strength, then it would be best to enlist the services of a tutor from the start of the semester. It is much more difficult for us to find a tutor the week of a test or mid-term.

There is not a set limit of hours to work with a tutor, but all of our tutors are students so the time will be limited by the tutor’s other responsibilities. Tutoring does not take the place of regular meetings with your professor. Tutoring should be used as a supplement to any additional instructional time you have with a professor.

Exam Proctoring

Please Note:
Advance notice is important so that the student knows if there is proctoring coverage and space at a specified time. This is especially critical during mid-terms and finals. Our space is limited so students will need to reserve a space early.

Occasionally it may be necessary to take an exam in the LSS Office due to schedule conflicts, a reduced distraction setting, etc. If eligible for extended time and a student has back to back classes, the exam will need to be taken at a different time. In most cases, the student will work this out with the professor with the possibility of taking the exam in their office, department office, another classroom, or in the LSS Office. This is something that needs to be arranged in advance with the professor and with the LSS Office.

In the forms section of this web site, there is an “Exam Proctoring Form”. This form only needs to be completed when taking an exam in the LSS Office. It helps insure proper administration of the exam according to the requirements of the professor.

One on One Coaching Sessions

One of the greatest challenges for new students is adapting to the lack of structure in a college environment. The general intent of these sessions is to provide a weekly opportunity to establish some structure, guidance, and follow-up. Actual content will depend on individual needs. Typical activities may include: mapping a semester schedule incorporating all course requirements, deadlines, and exam dates; learning style inventory to include how to take notes during lectures, study and take exams; discussion of course selection; time management; organization; and accessing available resources. If interested in these sessions, contact the LSS Office or check the appropriate box on the Request for Accommodation Form.

Freshmen Peer Mentoring Program

LSS Peer Mentors are Villanova Undergraduates who have utilized Learning Support Services and can provide support for incoming students with disabilities. Other than an initial introductory group get-together, the remainder of the services and sessions will be between the student and mentor. The student and mentor determine what would be helpful in moving throughout the first year of the Villanova experience. If interested, please contact LSS or check the appropriate box on the Request for Accommodations Form.

Other Supports

Learning Style Inventory
This is a one on one inventory that can be completed within an hour. This may be helpful in identifying how a student processes information, how the student should be taking notes in class, studying for tests, and taking tests.

Registering for Classes
Each student at Villanova will be assigned a faculty advisor who the student will meet with at least once per semester to choose classes for the next semester. LSS can assist in this process with suggestions for balancing your classes, when possible, based on strengths. Other LSS students have completed reviews of many professors’ teaching styles that students are welcome to review in the office.

Conflict Resolution and Appeals

If you are dissatisfied with the academic accommodations recommended by the Learning Support Services (LSS) Office, you should discuss your concerns with the Director for LSS. If you are not able to resolve a problem at this level, you should request an appointment with the Vice President of Academic Affairs (1.610.519.4520).

The University would like to address any problem situations internally; however, you may file formal charges with outside government agencies at any time, if you desire. The United States Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education is the agency responsible for addressing complaints related to discrimination on the basis of disability. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. Since OCR's policies and procedures may change over time, you should contact the regional office directly and immediately if you wish to file a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability. You may contact OCR at: 1.800.4213481.

Students Eligible for Alternate Text Formats
The Learning Support Services (LSS) Office will work with eligible students in obtaining recorded texts or e-text for course material. Eligibility is determined by the documentation submitted to the LSS Office and we must verify this documentation with the alternate text provider. If you are not eligible for alternate text formats, please go the end of this document to find out about reading software that we can provide for your computer.

Our options are the following:

1. Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)
   RFB&D provides recorded text on CD (occasionally on cassette) to be heard via computer with special software (provided by LSS) or with special play back equipment (student purchase). RFB&D acts as a lending library for audible textbooks. The student is required to purchase their own textbook and then we request the recorded version for you to hear while reading your text. LSS pays for the membership to RFB&D and one copy of software for the student. The student is responsible for any replacement software cost and if interested, they can purchase playback equipment from RFB&D for their own use. RFB&D response time varies with the time of the book order. Usually it takes 2 weeks to receive a requested recording in summer and up to 4 to 6 weeks at peak times.
   Requirements:
   
   • Student must submit the book title, author (s), edition, publisher, and year to LSS as soon as registered for classes.
   • Student must show proof of textbook purchase to LSS to comply with copyright laws.
   • Student must return tapes and CD’s at end of term.
2. E-Text from Publisher
   LSS will request an E-Text file of your textbook direct from the publisher. E-Text can be viewed and read aloud on your computer with software provided by LSS. Not all publishers provide this feature. Response time varies with time of order, but most publishers’ request 4 to 6 weeks notice.
   Requirements:
   • Student must submit book title, author(s), edition, publisher, and year to LSS as soon as registered for classes.
   • Student must show proof of purchase of textbook purchase to LSS to comply with copyright laws.
   • Students must return the CD at end of term.

3. Scanning Text
   When books are not available through the publisher or RFB&D, LSS will arrange to have your textbook scanned to a CD with the use of high speed scanning in the Graphic Services Department. This CD could then be heard on your computer with the use of the same software offered for E-Text.
   Requirements:

   • Student must submit their purchased textbook to LSS along with a copy of the course syllabus.
   • Student must sign a scanning agreement allowing Graphic Services to break the binding of the textbook for high speed scanning. Graphic Services will re-bind the textbook with spiral binding.
   • The CD will be in PDF format. The student can read it with Adobe Acrobat, which is on all university computers. The student also has the option of using the software provided by LSS that can transfer the PDF into a readable format. This software also features an option of making an audio file/MP3.

In ALL alternate text arrangements:

• The student must purchase the textbook
• Requests will be handled in the order they are received. The closer to the beginning of the semester, the longer the wait time. It is best to put in your requests as soon as you register for classes.
• All alternate texts – CD’s, tapes, and files are to be returned to LSS at the completion of the course.

Students that are not eligible for alternate text formats based on their documentation are still welcome to utilize the software package through LSS that allows the student to receive an auditory format for anything on line. Please contact LSS if you are interested in having the Accessibility Suite installed on your computer or if you would like additional information about this resource.