Dear Colleagues,
We have both ethical and legal obligations to provide accommodations and other supportive measures to our students. We call your attention to important campus policies and guidelines concerning academic accommodations for religious observance, illness, disability, hardship, and other matters.
Academic Accommodations Hub
The Academic Accommodations Hub is the student and instructor portal for support resources and academic policies, including key information regarding academic accommodations as well as links to mental health resources, resources for survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment, and more. This hub is located on the website of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, and may also be accessed through bCourses (click “Academic Policies” in the bCourses navigation bar). We strongly encourage all instructors to provide a link to the Academic Accommodations Hub, assignment due dates, and dates for midterms and finals in their course syllabi. The Office for Faculty Equity & Welfare also has suggestions for referring to accommodations and campus resources in a supportive way on your course syllabus.
Additional Resources:
- Quick Guide to Academic Supportive Measures for instructors (EVCP)
- Teaching Guides (Center for Teaching & Learning)
- Guidance on Schedule Conflicts with Academic Requirements (Academic Senate)
Disability Accommodations
We remind faculty that University and campus policies (including APM 015) establish specific requirements regarding classroom instruction, examinations, and disability accommodations. Instructors who need assistance with DSP (Disabled Students’ Program) accommodations can access a 10-Point Guide to DSP Accommodations. The guide provides information about common questions that instructors may have about implementing DSP accommodations. DSP staff and the DSP Faculty Liaisons are available to answer any questions you may have about a particular request.
The UC Office of the President (UCOP) has releasedguidance related to academic accommodations for students with disabilitiesWe recommend reviewing the guidance prior to the start of instruction. Instructors can also access a voluntary training opportunity that is a 10-15 minute read and contains a six-step instructor checklist for preparing for an accessible semester. It also links to the new UCOP guidance. Instructors are encouraged to take a deeper dive by completing the DSP online training “Disability, Accommodation, and Access in the UC Classroom” (visit the DSP Resources for Faculty webpage and click on the “DSP New Online Training” link)
Technology and Accessibility
Fostering an equitable learning experience for all Berkeley students and instructors by supporting accessible academic technology tools is a high priority. We strongly recommend instructors use Research, Teaching and Learning’s supported learning tools which offer the benefits of accessibility, privacy, and security. Instructors have the ability to use tools not supported by campus; however, when using an unsupported tool, instructors assume responsibility for reviewing and vetting tools for accessibility, privacy, and security. Campus is unable to provide any assistance for unsupported tools. If using an unsupported tool, please work with DSP to ensure that disability accommodations can be made.
In 2022, the campus entered into a Consent Decree with the Department of Justice concerning the need to ensure that web content is accessible to persons with disabilities. As part of the agreement, the Digital Accessibility Program has created a short mandatory training on this topic that must be completed every year through 2026. The training will be assigned to employees in the UC Learning Center this spring and each spring following. If you would like to get an early start you may access the How to Comply with the Web Accessibility Procedures training now. Please email improving-accessibility@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or would like to meet with a digital accessibility specialist on Zoom.
Important Semester Dates
See the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar maintained by the Office of the Registrar for the latest calendar information (students in degree programs that do not align with the standard academic calendar should consult with their department). Below are some important dates in the semester:
- Spring semester begins: Tuesday, January 9
- Academic and administrative holiday: Monday, February 15
- Instruction begins: Tuesday, January 16
- Midpoint grading rosters open for instructors: Monday, February 19
- Deadline for instructors to enter midterm deficient grades: Tuesday, March 12 (11:59 p.m.)
- Spring Recess: Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29
- Accommodation deadline for instructors to submit Summer 2024 textbook adoptions: Monday, April 1
- Last day of instruction: Friday, April 26
- Reading/Review/Recitation week: Monday, April 29 - Friday, May 3
- Final examinations: Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10
Accommodations for Religious Creed
In accordance with UC Berkeley’s policy on religious creed, instructors should consult the Calendar of Religious and Cultural Holidays prior to scheduling midterms and assignment due dates. The Religious Holidays Calendar—as well as the Academic Calendar and Student Enrollment Calendar—can be added to your bCal (go to the Academic Calendar webpage and see the “Add a Calendar to bCal” tab for instructions).
Thank you for your continued dedication, creativity, and flexibility as we begin our spring semester.
Sincerely,
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Oliver M. O’Reilly
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Lisa García Bedolla
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division
Max Auffhammer
Chair, Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate