Disability Support Services
[Adopted by the NBTS Administrative Council in in Spring 2024]
New Brunswick Theological Seminary policy is to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any Seminary program or activity. In response to a request made by a qualified student with a documented disability, the Seminary will provide reasonable accommodation and academic adjustments necessary to afford the student with a disability with the opportunity for full participation in Seminary programs.
The Director of Student Services in collaboration with the Academic Office coordinates services for students with permanent and temporary disabilities to address the individual disability needs of students while upholding the academic integrity and standards of NBTS. In order to receive appropriate accommodation and academic adjustments, students with disabilities must identify themselves to the Dean of Students annually. Medical documentation outlining the disability and its duration, as well as the student’s limitations and anticipated needs, is required to assist in arranging appropriate accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain proper documentation and arrange an assessment meeting with the Dean of Students.
The Seminary is responsible for determining the appropriate academic adjustments or auxiliary aids. A letter of accommodation (LOA) will be provided by the Dean of Students in accordance with the medical documentation. The letter contains the accommodations, rights and responsibilities. The student is to bring the letter to each professor for discussion and signature. A copy is stored with the Dean of Students.
A student with a disability whose request for accommodation has been denied may appeal the decision by petitioning the Faculty Council in writing within 15 days of being informed of the Deans’ decision. The petition should include the original request, information about the accommodation offered by the Office of the Dean of Students, if any, and the reasons that the student feels the accommodation offered does not adequately meet his/her disability needs. The Faculty Secretary will inform the student of his/her decision within 10 days. The Faculty’s decision is not subject to appeal.
For more information about services to students with disabilities, or to file a complaint about disability access, please contact:
Ruth Almonte
Director of Student Services
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
35 Seminary Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
848-237-1707
ralmonte@nbts.edu