The Policies & Procedures page provides key information about student accommodations, responsibilities, and rights, as well as the processes ensuring compliance with federal and state laws while promoting accessibility at Montana State University.

All students registered with the Disability Services office are provided an Accessibility Specialist to help access approved accommodations and to work with the student to navigate approval of any needed changes to those accommodations.  Please connect with your Accessibility Specialist to discuss any potential changes to your accommodations that you feel are necessary and appropriate.  

If you cannot reach an agreement with your Accessibility Specialist regarding your accommodations or changes to accommodations, you can utilize the following Accommodation Appeal Process.

University Student Accommodations and Appeals Policy

100.00 Introduction and Purpose 

Montana State University seeks to provide equal access for qualified students to all University programs and services. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to ensure a student’s full participation in and enjoyment of University programs and services, the University provides qualified students with disabilities reasonable academic and non-academic accommodations. The Disability Services office (ODS) works with students through an individualized yet collaborate approach designed to determine possible barriers and generate effective accommodations for students with disabilities. 

The University recognizes that disagreements may occasionally occur about the accommodation process and the appropriateness of accommodations. To that end, and to support positive resolutions, this policy articulates the University’s accommodation request and appeal process, which is designed to timely address student requests and situations where a student disagrees with the accommodation process or the approval or denial of accommodations. 

200.00 Definitions

  1. Academic Adjustments – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) requires the University to provide academic adjustments to qualified students with disabilities by (a) codifying academic requirements unless such requirements are essential to the instruction being pursued or to any directly related licensing requirement; (b) ensuring that course examinations for students with disabilities reflect their achievement in the course and not their disabilities; (c) taking steps to ensure that a qualified student is not excluded from participation in or discriminated against because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids; and (d) ensuring that no rules have the effect of limiting the participation of students with disabilities in any educational program or activity.
  2. ADA – the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees individuals with disabilities access to employment, public accommodations, transportation, public services, and telecommunications and provides such individuals with civil rights protections. Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in all services, programs, and activities provided to the public by state and local governments.
  3. Days – means and refers to business days, unless otherwise specified herein.
  4. Disability – a physical, medical, or mental impairment, or history or record of such impairment, that constitutes a disability under applicable federal or state law.
  5. Interactive Process – the collaborative effort between the University and a student with a disability to identify existing barriers to the student’s access to academic and non-academic programs and activities at the University with the intention of finding a reasonable accommodation to address those barriers.
  6. ODS –means the Disability Services office at Montana State University.
  7. Personal Services or Devices - Personal services or devices are those that a student with a disability must use regardless of attendance at the University. In addition, personal services are those for which no correlation between the disability's functional limitation and program access can be established. Examples of personal services or devices include, without limitation, personal attendants, wheelchairs, hearing aids, readers for personal use or study, and tutoring.
  8. Reasonable Accommodation – means an accommodation provided to a student with a disability pursuant to the interactive process. 
    Student with a Disability – means an otherwise qualified University student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as specified according to the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504.
  9. Undue Burden – an undue burden is an action that would require significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of a number of factors, including the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature and structure of the University’s operation.

300.00 Requesting Reasonable Accommodations 

Students seeking accommodations or academic adjustments must register with ODS and submit a request for accommodation through the ODS website. Such requests must be accompanied by appropriate documentation to support the necessity of the accommodation. The types of documentation supportive of a request for accommodations may include medical records, psycho-educational testing or evaluations, and school assessments. ODS may request additional documentation from the student to support the request for accommodation. A representative from ODS and the student will engage in the interactive process with the goal of finding a reasonable accommodation or academic adjustment to provide the student with equal access to University programs and activities. The interactive process may include consideration of several factors, such as the student’s functional limitations due to their disability, provided documentation, and the academic or program requirements. 

Reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations, note taking, assistive technology and other auxiliary aids, sign language interpreter, accessible materials, housing adjustments, preferential seating, and priority registration, among others. ODS may, when appropriate and in a confidential manner, consult with other University officials to determine program or course requirements and appropriate accommodations. The University is not obligated to provide accommodations that would fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity, or that would result in an undue financial or administrative burden. The University is also not obligated to provide personal devices or services or to provide retroactive accommodations. Students are responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner. 

Once all required documentation is submitted, ODS shall meet with the student requesting an accommodation to engage in the interactive process and discuss the requested accommodations. A grant or denial of the requested accommodations shall be made as soon as practicable and sent to the student in writing, either stating the accommodation or academic adjustment being provided, or for denials, the reason(s) the request was denied. 

400.00 Appeal Process 

Students may appeal decisions concerning the accommodation process or the denial of requested accommodations by filing a request for informal resolution or formal appeal, as outlined below. If a student believes that a decision to deny an accommodation was based on unlawful discrimination, then the student may exercise any rights available under the University's Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Harrasment policy.

The University has the discretion to extend the deadlines identified below when determined necessary or appropriate. 

400.10 Informal Resolution 

Students are encouraged to work with ODS to resolve any conflicts or concerns. Students who disagree with a decision made by ODS may submit a statement in writing to the Director of ODS. The written statement should clearly identify: i) the issue of disagreement; ii) the substantive reason(s) the student disagrees with the decision; and iii) the student’s desired outcome. The Director shall have discretion to request additional documents and information from the student and to consult with other University officials, as appropriate. The Director of ODS shall have ten (10) days to respond in writing to the student’s request for an informal resolution to the concern(s) identified. 

Students must submit a request for informal resolution before filing a formal appeal. 

400.20 Formal Appeal

A formal appeal is available to students who have first attempted to resolve the issue through informal resolution, as outlined in section 400.10 above. 

A student who disagrees with a decision made regarding the accommodation process or the denial of requested accommodations may appeal the decision, provided it meets the criteria for appeal identified below, by submitting a written letter of appeal to the Vice President for Student Success. A request for formal appeal must be submitted within ten (10) days of the response from the Director of ODS to the request for informal resolution. 

Disagreement with a determination is not sufficient grounds for a formal appeal. The review by the Vice President for Student Success will be limited to the following grounds for appeal: 

  1. New evidence has been discovered that could substantially impact the original decision. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact must be included in the letter of appeal.
  2. The student’s rights were violated (i.e., a violation of law or there was a material error in the request for accommodation procedure which substantially affected the student’s ability to receive a fair review).

The letter of appeal must include: i) the issue on appeal; ii) a detailed summary of the pertinent facts fulfilling the above criteria for a formal appeal; iii) the substantive reason(s) the student disagrees with the decision; and iv) the student’s desired outcome. If the appeal is accepted, the Vice President of 

Student Success shall have discretion to request additional documents and information from the student, ODS, or other relevant University officials. If the appeal is not accepted because it does not fulfill one of the criteria identified above or for any other valid reason, the student will be notified in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the request for appeal. 

Upon acceptance of the formal appeal, the Vice President of Student Success shall render a written decision within fifteen (15) days from acceptance of the appeal. The written decision shall identify the issue on appeal and the basis for any determination. The Vice President of Student Success may remand the case to ODS with directions for further clarification or processing, overturn the decision, or render an alternative decision. A copy of the decision shall be sent to the student, ODS, and any relevant University officials. 

The decision of the Vice President of Student Success shall be based solely on the record and relevant documentary evidence and is the final decision of the University in this matter.

Self-identifying or disclosing disability status is not required by Montana State University, unless you are seeking accommodations for that disability. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the request and intake procedures with the Disability Services office (ODS) in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If there are questions or concerns about this process, please visit the Disability Services Students page or contact ODS to set up an information session with an Accessibility Specialist. 

Once the accommodation process has been started, students must: 

  • Provide appropriate documentation as indicated on the Documentation Guidelines on the Students page that verifies the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the need for specific accommodations.
  • Participate in an interactive process with ODS staff, faculty, and other University resources as indicated to obtain and coordinate reasonable and appropriate accommodations to access University programs and services.
  • Respond to correspondence sent to the email address designated as preferred in your MyInfo account. If no alternative preferred email is listed, all communication will be sent to the assigned MSU student email address. Email is the official form of communication for all ODS correspondence, unless otherwise notified. It is the student's responsibility to check for incoming communication from ODS to avoid missing pertinent information and deadlines.
  • Accommodation Notification letters must be provided to instructors prior to using approved accommodations. Accommodation Notification letters presented to faculty without adequate prior notice may result in the denial of those accommodations for upcoming exams. Certain accommodations may require additional communication with instructors prior to implementation. The University is not obligated to provide retroactive accommodations if faculty are not adequately and appropriately informed of a student’s accommodation status.
  • Students are responsible for informing ODS in writing regarding any changes in their condition or needs through the Additional Accommodation process.
  • Students are responsible for informing ODS of any issues with accommodations, faculty, or campus accessibility.

  • Check for electronic text availability from websites such as Redshelf, Amazon, and Bookshare.
  • If texts are not readily available in an eBook, audio, or other alternative format, submit an Alternative Textbook Request online. Request books as close to the start of the semester as possible. Requests are handled in the order in which they are received. Delays in requesting alternatively formatted texts may result in texts not being received until after the start of classes.
  • Submit proof of purchase of instructional materials to the Disability Services office or to disabilityservices@montana.edu. 
  • Providing a copy of the course syllabus when it is received from the Instructor is helpful for our office so that we can provide accurate and timely files.
  • Students are responsible for downloading any assistive technology (ex: screen reader) needed to use alternative formats and for communication with ODS about any problems that arise with their text. Read & Write Gold is available for free to MSU students.

Students agree to follow the procedures above when acquiring alternatively formatted texts from ODS.

Students also agree not to copy or reproduce alternatively formatted instructional materials nor allow anyone else to do so (pursuant to the requirements of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 as amended), and to not share alternatively formatted materials with any other party. 

To set up testing accommodations with professors:

  • Using your Accommodation Notification from Disability Services, communicate with each instructor for classes where you will use testing accommodations.
  • Agree upon where your tests will be administered. Best options are Testing Services or within the department.
  • For online classes, email the instructor to identify yourself as a student registered with Disability Services and attach a copy of your Accommodation Notification letter.
  • Schedule your exams early! Schedule as soon as possible, but no later than 2-3 days before regular exams, and at least 1-2 weeks before any final exams.

If using Testing Services (Located in Renne Library, Rm 019):

  • Students will need to present a photo ID and agree to the Testing Services' policies prior to their first exam. This step only needs to be completed one time.
  • Schedule your exams, ideally, within the first 2 weeks of the semester, but at least 2 business days prior to your first accommodated exam and at least 7 days before each final exam.
  • Schedule your exams on RegisterBlast, accessed through the Testing Services website. Students must login with their NetID and password.
  • If you don’t see your exam, please contact Testing Services at 406-994-6967 or email testing@montana.edu as soon as possible.

For nursing students placed on different campuses:

  • Work with the professors and the nursing department on your campus to get a location and time scheduled for your accommodated exams. Your nursing department will usually set you up in an office or equivalent space to take your exams, but you must work with them ahead of time to get this in place.
  • Check with the campus testing center for availability and scheduling information. The campus testing center for whichever campus you are on cannot guarantee spots for MSU Bozeman students for regular exams, and do not offer seats for final exams.

Additional Notes for Using Testing Accommodations:

  • If you have any difficulties in implementing testing accommodations, contact ODS and a specialist will assist you in scheduling your accommodated exams.
  • If a student is late for a scheduled exam appointment, that time can be deducted from the total exam time.
  • Testing accommodations require communication with each professor prior to use and cannot be implemented retroactively.
  • Testing accommodation usage is not tracked by ODS. 

Please note: As of Summer 2025, this guidance and procedure replaces that of the previous "Flexibility with Attendance and Due Dates" accommodation. Please reach out to Disability Services with any questions or concerns regarding this change.

To review instructions for implementation or for a new Consideration for Accommodation Agreement form link, please contact your Accessibility Specialist or Disability Services at disabilityservices@montana.edu.

Guidance for Student Attendance and Deadline Extension Accommodations

Disability Services approves reasonable accommodations to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to university programs and services. Students with a documented disability may be approved for flexibility with attendance or deadline extensions when their condition periodically impacts their ability to attend class or meet deadlines. These accommodations are determined on an individual basis and formalized through an Accommodations Agreement between the student and instructor. They may not be applied retroactively and will not take effect until the "Consideration for Accommodations Agreement" has been completed by both the student and instructor and reviewed and approved by Disability Services.

The goal of these accommodations is to support students in demonstrating their learning and engaging meaningfully with course content, even when disability-related barriers arise. While accommodations offer flexibility, students are still responsible for meeting the essential learning objectives and requirements of the course.

Accommodations for attendance and deadlines do not apply to temporary medical conditions unrelated to a disability.

In such cases, instructors have discretion to allow flexibility beyond what is stated in the syllabus. However, this guidance document offers helpful practices for faculty navigating those conversations and decisions.

How to Evaluate the Reasonableness of an Attendance or Deadline Extension Accommodation:

To determine whether attendance requirements or course deadlines are essential to the learning objectives of a class—and whether flexibility can be reasonably implemented—instructors should consider the following: 

  • What do the class description and syllabus say about attendance and deadlines? 
  • How is the final course grade calculated? Is attendance included in the grading criteria?  
  • Are alternative grading schemes available (e.g., dropping the lowest quiz or assignment score)? 
  • Are attendance or deadline expectations tied to specific learning outcomes, course goals, or objectives? 
  • Is the course content delivered sequentially (i.e., does each week build on the last, or must assignments be completed before future assessments)? 
  • Are answer keys or assessments released after specific dates that would affect the feasibility of an extension? 
  • Have attendance or deadline expectations been applied consistently to all students? Have exceptions been made for reasons like athletic travel or religious observances? 
  • To what extent do student contributions (e.g., discussions, presentations, group work, etc.) impact the learning process? 
  • Would a student’s absence or delayed submissions affect the learning experience of others in the class? 
  • Does the course rely on participation or presence as a core instructional method (e.g., labs, studios, clinicals, seminars, etc.)?

Modifying attendance or deadline expectations may not be reasonable or appropriate for every course, or for all assignments within a course. Students and instructors are encouraged to consult with Disability Services if they have questions about whether accommodations are appropriate for a particular course.

General Requirements and Expectations: 

  1. General Attendance and Participation Expectations:
    • Active Participation: Students are generally expected to attend and participate in all scheduled classes, lectures, seminars, and lab sessions. However, the University recognizes that some students with disabilities may face challenges that affect their consistent attendance or engagement. Accommodations for medically necessary absences or deadline extensions are intended to ensure students are not academically disadvantaged due to disability-related barriers.
  2. Disability-Related Absence Notification:
    • Notice Requirement: Students should notify instructors as early as possible if they will miss a class due to a disability-related reason. The Consideration for Accommodations Agreement should clearly outline how and when students will communicate with instructors regarding absences and deadlines.
  3. Flexibility in Learning and Accommodations:
    • Alternative Learning Methods: Students are encouraged to discuss alternative ways to access course material with their instructors when absent (e.g., lecture recordings, online resources, posted slides, notes, etc.).
    • Make-Up Work: Instructors will work with students to develop reasonable make-up opportunities when possible.  However, certain activities may not be replicable due to the nature of the course or assignment. Expectations for make-up work should be outlined in the Considerations for Accommodations Agreement.
    • Deadline Extensions: Students may request deadline extensions for disability-related reasons. These requests should be made in advance, when possible, using the method identified in the Consideration for Accommodations Agreement. Extensions are not automatic and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with reasonable accommodations provided to ensure that students can complete their work without penalty. Only those extensions that are necessary due to the student’s disability may be covered under the accommodation.
    • Process for Requesting Extensions: Students should request extensions for assignments as early as possible before the original deadline using the method designated in the Consideration for Accommodations Agreement.
  4. Attendance and Deadline Extension Limits:
    • Amount and Scope of Flexibility: The amount of flexibility granted will depend on the course structure and its essential requirements. For example, a lecture-based course may allow more flexibility than a lab or studio course that requires in-person participation. There are no fixed limits on the number of absences or extensions as long as they are disability-related, but students are expected to make a good-faith effort to attend class and complete coursework on a timely basis. Expectations for attendance and deadlines should be documented in the Consideration for Accommodations Agreement.
    • Impact on Course Completion: While some flexibility may be provided for disability-related absences or deadline extensions, students must still meet course requirements. If disability-related absences or missed deadlines affect a student’s ability to meet course requirements, the student, instructor and Disability Services should collaborate to explore options, including whether the course objectives can still be met.
  5. Impact on Grades:
    • Grade Impact: While flexibility may be given, repeated or excessive absences or missed deadlines may impact a student’s ability to complete course requirements and may affect their final grade. The instructor will determine the academic consequences of absences and missed deadlines based on the student’s overall participation and academic performance and the expectations set forth in the Consideration for Accommodations Agreement.
    • Participation Grades: When participation affects grading, instructors should explore whether alternative means of demonstrating engagement—such as online discussions, supplemental assignments, or other means—are reasonable and appropriation. For courses where participation is integral (e.g., due to the instructional method, learning objectives, or other reasons), instructors should contact Disability Services to evaluate whether flexibility is appropriate.
  6. Medically Necessary Absences or Deadline Extension Accommodation Process. The following steps outline the process that the University, students, and instructors should follow when implementing accommodations for medically necessary absences or deadline extensions:
    • The student submits a request for an accommodation related to medically necessary absences or deadline extensions to Disability Services and provides the required documentation.
    • If deemed medically necessary, “Consideration for Medically Necessary Absences or Deadline Extensions” will be listed as an eligible accommodation in the student’s Accommodation Notification Letter.
    • The student provides a copy of the “Consideration for Accommodation Agreement” to the course instructor and discusses whether the requested accommodation is reasonable and how it might be implemented in the course.
    • The instructor evaluates request to determine whether the proposed accommodation is reasonable for their course. If the accommodation is reasonable, the instructor and student complete the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement and the student submits the document to Disability Services for final signature and approval.
    • If the instructor believes the requested accommodation is not reasonable for the course, the instructor must reach out directly to the Disability services office or provide alternative suggestions the student to meet the desired course learning objectives on the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement and submit it to Disability Services for further review. 
  7. Recommendations and Guidance for Students and Instructors:
    • Students:
      • Disability Services is responsible for determining and approving any reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
      • Students are responsible for requesting accommodations and notifying instructors of any approved accommodations in a timely manner.
      • Communicate with instructors as early as possible—ideally within the first week of class or immediately after receiving approval for  Medically Necessary Absences and / or Deadline Extensions.
      • Accommodations are not retroactive and will not be implemented or considered fully “approved” until the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement has been signed by all parties.
      • A Consideration for Accommodation Agreement must be completed with each instructor, for each course, every semester where the accommodation may be used.
      • Students are expected to notify instructors promptly of any disability-related absences or need for deadline extensions and to complete any make-up work in accordance with the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement.
      • Students are not required to share medical documentation or disclose their diagnosis to instructors to justify disability-related absences or extensions.
      • Students are responsible for meeting all course objectives and completing all assigned work, even when accommodations are in place.
      • If disability-related absences exceed those agreed upon due to unforeseen medical issues, students should contact Disability Services to discuss additional options or adjustments.
    • Instructors:
      • Once an instructor has been notified of a student’s approval for consideration of medically necessary absences and / or deadline extensions, instructors should evaluate how flexibility can be reasonably provided without fundamentally altering course objectives or instructional design.
      • Instructors are not responsible for determining whether a student qualifies for accommodations—that decision is made by Disability Services.
      • If an instructor believes the requested accommodation is not reasonable within the context of their course, they should:
        • reach out to Disability Services directly to discuss their concerns and alternative solutions,
        • or submit modifications to the accommodation request on the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement form.
      • Through the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement process, instructors are able to provide students with clear expectations on attendance, participation, course deadlines, and make-up work.
      • Instructors should use the Consideration for Accommodation Agreement to discuss the method and timeline for notification of disability-related absences or extensions and clarify which assignments, assessments, or activities—if any—cannot be rescheduled or extended.
      • Where feasible, collaborate with students to identify alternative methods for meeting a missed learning objective or demonstrating course mastery, such as online resources, supplemental assignments, or make-up work or exams.
      • Maintain fair, consistent grading practices while applying accommodations, ensuring that all students are assessed based on essential course requirements and objectives.
      • Instructors cannot request medical documentation or information about a student’s medical diagnosis. Conversations should focus solely on whether the accommodation is reasonable and how it may be implemented for the course.

Genio (formerly known as Glean) Recorded Lectures

  • You will receive an email from Genio to set up your account shortly after approval. Read through the email sent from Genio and accept the Genio invite via email.
  • Meet with your faculty and inform them about your Genio accommodation.
  • View the Genio Notetaking Demo and Genio FAQ List on Genio’s website.
  • Practice using Genio on a movie or TV show to get familiar with the program.
  • At the end of each semester, a follow-up survey will be sent to your email. Complete the survey to renew your Genio access for the following semester.
  • If you have any issues with this program, please contact our office at 406-994-2824 or disabilityservices@montana.edu.

Recording Agreement:

Students may be granted permission to record classroom activities, including lectures, and discussions, either with the permission of the instructor or as a reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities. Students wanting to record lectures, discussions and other classroom activities (“Classroom Activities”) must agree to the following requirements:

  • I will provide my instructor with documentation from the Disability Services office supporting my accommodation to record Classroom Activities prior to making any recordings.
  • The instructor may inform other students in the class that Classroom Activities may be recorded. Any such announcement will not identify the particular student(s) making the recording.
  • My ability to record Classroom Activities is solely for my academic benefit and intended to aid me in my personal study. I agree not to use the recordings for any other purpose.
  • I will not share the recordings with any other individual, whether or not they are in my class, without permission from the instructor.
  • I will not copy, upload, or otherwise share recorded Classroom Activities with anyone, including on the internet or any other medium, without the prior permission of the instructor.
  • I understand that these recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor, and that I do not own any underlying rights in or to the content. Sharing any of these recordings (through any medium) is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and federal copyright laws.
  • I agree to immediately stop recording Class Activities at the request of the instructor. This should only be used in cases where the particular Classroom Activities for that day are likely to include discussions or material that may be sensitive or private in nature and where recording poses a privacy risk or is likely to hinder classroom discussions.
  • At the instructor’s request, I will delete or destroy the recordings upon completion of the academic term for which the recordings were made.

I understand that violating this agreement may result in the withdrawal of the authorization to continue the accommodation for my recording material and/or disciplinary action.

Student’s will agree by signing the agreement at the time of accommodation approval with their Accessibility Specialist. 

The processes for requesting a Note taker and becoming a Note taker have updated starting Summer 2026. Please review the new procedures below, and contact Disability Services with questions.

To Request a Note Taker:

Please read the syllabus and attend the one-two weeks of class to determine if your Notetaking accommodation will be necessary. Some faculty provide notes or lecture slides to the whole class. Lab, clinical, and recitation sections are not eligible for notetaking assistance.

To request notes in your class(es):

  1. Log into the Accommodate portal.
  2. Select:
    1. "Accommodation & Information Requests"
    2. "Semester Request"
    3. "Add New"
  3. Choose the semester for which you are requesting notes and select "Review the Renewal".
  4. Individually add which class(es) you would like to receive notes for.
  5. When communicating with your instructor about your accommodation, please provide them with your Accommodation Notification Letter. Your instructor may be contacted if we need assistance locating a Note Taker for your class.
  6. You will receive an email notification from Accommodate that a Note Taker has been assigned to your course. You can expect to start receiving notes after the Note Taker has completed all hiring procedures. This may take one-two weeks. Notetaker information will be completely anonymous for those taking and receiving notes.

How to Access Notes:

You will access the notes through Accommodate’s Note-Taker Network. Below are instructions on how to access your notes through Accommodate:

  1. After logging into Accommodate click on the "Note-Taker Network" tab on the top icon bar for access to notes uploaded by assigned note taker.
  2. Notes will appear in date order by default. Click on your class to access the notes for that specific class (you will only have notes for the classes that you requested Note Taking).
  3. Clicking on the document's title will allow you to open the file.
  4. Using the keyword function, you will be able to search for keyword for specific set of notes.
  5. We encourage you to download your notes from Accommodate. You will not be able to access your notes after the last day of classes for the current semester.

Additional Notes for Using Notetaking Assistance Accommodations:

  • If a Notetaker is not found, ODS staff will contact the student to discuss an equitable alternative accommodation.
  • It is the student's responsibility to access notes on Accommodate regularly. ODS does not track uploads or access to notes in Accommodate unless a complaint or problem has been filed.
  • It is the student's responsibility to contact ODS if you have not received your notes or if your notes are not satisfactory.
  • ODS is responsible for all notetaking accommodation costs.
  • Please inform your Accessibility Specialist if you decide you are no longer in need of notetaking. 

How to Become a Notetaker:

Taking notes for another student benefits both students.  Note takers usually find that the quality of their notes improves when they know someone else will be reading them.  They may include this service on a resume, and know they are delivering a needed accommodation for a fellow student.

While we can't guarantee that note-taking assistance will be requested in any of your courses, you may be more likely to be considered for a note-taking position if you meet the following qualifications:

  • Commit to regularly attending class.
  • Type all notes during class.
  • Be in good academic standing and have strong note-taking skills.
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

This position is paid, and more hours may be available outside of the regular class time for exam scribing opportunities. You must have identification for hiring purposes immediately available. Please review the identification guidelines for information on acceptable hiring documents. Photographs or scans of documents will not be accepted.

The Office of Disability Services will coordinate availability of the position. Once a student has been matched to a note-taking position by ODS, they will be directed to HR for hiring.

HR Campus Location:

Renne Library room 45 (access via South entrance by the loading-dock). Hours:

  • Monday: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Thursday: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

HR Nopper Building Location:

920 Technology Blvd, 59718 (access via CatTracks Shuttle). Hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Please contact MSUHumanResources@montana.edu or 406-994-3651 for any Employee Service, I-9, or W-4 related questions. If you have questions about your timesheet, please contact msupayroll@montana.edu. For any additional note-taking questions, please contact notetaking@montana.edu or 406-994-2824. Positions are filled on a first-come first-served basis. 

Instructions and guidelines for completing notetaking tasks will be sent at the time of hiring. Please read these carefully.

Important: If you are hired as a Notetaker and drop or withdraw from the course(s) or are otherwise unable to continue taking notes, you must notify Disability Services as soon as possible.

Confidentiality

Students have a right to privacy and confidentiality is a high priority at MSU's Disability Services office. All records are kept in a secure electronic database. Except as noted below, no information regarding a student's disability or use of services will be released to parties outside of ODS without prior written consent:

  • General information concerning the student such as name and address will be released in the same manner as other student records. See the MSU Catalog for description of MSU's policy regarding the release of student records and directory information.
  • Confidential information, such as the student's disability or use of ODS services, may be shared in the course of consultation with or referral to other appropriate professionals within MSU, when the person has a legitimate business reason to have access to the information, such as ensuring implementation of any approved accommodations.
  • For legally mandated audits and investigations.
  • When required by court order or subpoena, the specific information requested will be released.
  • In extreme situations where immediate harm to self or others may result, the law may require that essential information to be reported to necessary agencies or parties.

File Maintenance

In compliance with the Montana University System General Record Retention Schedule effective March 9, 2016, ODS records will be maintained even after the student is no longer with the University. Files prior to this date may have been subject to appropriate destruction/removal.

Students may file a complaint with the Campus Civil Rights (CCR) office if they feel they have been discriminated, harassed, or retaliated against with regards their disability or accommodation status. For more information, visit the Campus Civil Rights Discrimination Grievance Procedures Accompanying the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Harrassment policy page or contact Campus Civil Rights on the 2nd floor of Swingle, email civilrights@montana.edu, or call 406-994-1568. 

Students who have been served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) while in elementary or secondary school often harbor some misconceptions about a university's responsibilities to persons with disabilities and the range of services a post-secondary institution is required to provide. Though post-secondary institutions such as MSU do have a legal responsibility under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make their programs and services accessible to persons with disabilities, the broad mandated responsibilities that elementary and secondary schools incur under the IDEA don't apply to post-secondary institutions.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is an "entitlement" law intended to guarantee persons with disabilities a free and appropriate primary and secondary education that allows for achievement. Within this educational framework, funding is mandated to identify children with significant problems and provide them with appropriate services that facilitate successful learning. Aggressive measures, including the substantial alteration of academic course requirements, are often used to assure the success of students in special education programs.

In contrast, section 504 and the ADA are "non-discrimination" statutes that are based on a civil rights model. They aren't entitlement laws, and they don't guarantee successful learning or mandate the creation of special programs for persons with disabilities. Instead, section 504 and the ADA guarantee that the simple presence of a disability cannot be used as the basis for denying an otherwise qualified student equal "access" to the same programs, services and facilities available to others. Simply stated, the goal of section 504 and the ADA is to remove barriers and to guarantee reasonable accommodations so that persons with disabilities have an opportunity to participate at the level enjoyed by the average person.

For more information, review the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights’ brochures and pamphlets:

Use of accommodations is voluntary, and, unless otherwise noted, at the discretion of each student based on their needs. Decisions about using approved accommodations can be made with guidance from faculty and a student’s assigned ODS specialist.

A student who believes they have been unlawfully discriminated against as a result of a decision by the Disability Services office personnel or other MSU-Bozeman personnel to refuse a requested accommodation or modification or to reject their claim of disability may file a complaint through one or all of the offices or agencies listed below.

Campus Civil Rights

Swingle 2nd Floor 
Montana State University 
PO Box 172430 
Bozeman MT 59717-2430 
Tel: (406) 994-1568 
E-mail: civilrights@montana.edu

Montana Human Rights Bureau

1625 11th Ave. 
PO Box 1728 
Helena, MT 59624-1728 
Voice: (406) 444-2884 
Toll free: (800) 542-0807

U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Seattle Office

915 Second Avenue, Room 3310 
Seattle, WA 98174-1099 
Email: OCR.Seattle@ed.gov 
Voice: (206) 607-1600 
Fax: (206) 607-1601 
TDD: (206) 607-1647

Please refer to the Animals on Campus policy for information on animal permissions, responsibilities and expectations, enforcement and compliance, etc.