COVID-19 Requests

The Disability Services Program (DSP) reviews requests for, approves, and facilitates COVID-19 related adjustments for enrolled students at the University of Denver (DU). As things continue to evolve and circumstances vary widely from location to location, the DSP has temporarily relaxed our expectations for supporting documentation in certain situations.

We understand that during the pandemic many students and their families may have limited or no access to typically available resources for obtaining supporting documentation to accompany accommodation requests. As a result, we will be accepting a wider array of supporting documentation from both currently enrolled students — including those who find the change to online, hybrid, or hyflex learning presents barriers they have not previously experienced — and students who will be matriculating in the fall of 2020 through the end of the pandemic.

For Immunocompromised and Other High-Risk Students

Temporary adjustments may be approved by the DSP for students who are immunocompromised or otherwise determined by a licensed healthcare professional to be at a heightened risk of severe disease or complications from COVID-19. Approved temporary adjustments are provided at no extra cost to the student.

Temporary COVID-19 related adjustments may include but are not limited to:

  • Late arrival/early departure from class
  • Preferential seating
  • Housing adjustments
  • Permission to leave class unexpectedly

Students who are at high-risk but asymptomatic and/or have tested negative for COVID-19 should first work with their academic advisors to determine what course options and delivery methods are available to reduce their exposure and/or best meet their needs. Students who still wish to request further adjustments associated with being high-risk should complete the Request for COVID-19 Related Temporary Adjustments form or the Request for Accommodation form for ongoing disability accommodations. For questions about which is the right form for your circumstances, please contact the DSP for assistance.

The DSP requires documentation from the student's clinician(s) or licensed healthcare provider(s) for approval.

Temporary adjustments may remain in place for the duration of the pandemic emergency as determined by city, state, and/or federal authorities.

For Currently Enrolled Students

The DSP may grant temporary accommodations specific to the barriers some students may experience as a result of the transition to online, hybrid, or hyflex learning during the foreseeable academic year. While the DSP will still require some form of supporting documentation, we may approve temporary accommodations based on a summary of information from a counselor, therapist, or other licensed clinician where we would typically expect to receive a more thorough evaluation or report. Student self-reports will remain critical to our understanding and ability to determine eligibility for accommodations.

Any temporary accommodations made during this time will be accompanied by an expiration date in the approval notification from DSP. If you need to request an extension of any approved temporary accommodations, please contact the DSP office at 303-871-3241 or dsp@du.edu to request an extension. Requests for extensions are not guaranteed to be approved.

For Students Enrolling in Future Terms

Many students enrolling in the Fall may already have supporting documentation that meets our standard DSP guidelines. Students whose supporting documentation and Request for Accommodation (RFA) form meet our adjusted expectations will be approved on an ongoing basis in keeping with our standard process.

For some students enrolling in the fall or later, this means the DSP may approve temporary accommodations for the first term, allowing time to work with clinicians to obtain either new or updated supporting documentation. Temporary accommodations may remain in place up to six months.

Any temporary accommodations made during this time will be accompanied by an expiration date in the approval notification from DSP. If you need to request an extension of any approved temporary accommodations, please contact the DSP office at 303-871-3241 or dsp@du.edu to request an extension. The DSP does not guarantee that your request(s) for extension(s) will be approved.