Division for Academic Success

"A service animal is generally permitted to be on university property in any place where the animal’s handler has access. In certain limited situations, the presence of a service animal may require access restrictions or safety precautions to protect the safety and health of the animal or members of the university community. In such cases, the university will determine appropriate safeguards on a case-by-case basis through cooperation of the appropriate department representative(s) and Accessibility Support Personnel. No person may interfere in any way with a service animal, or the duties it performs."

Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes the valuable contributions of service and emotional support animals and is committed to creating a campus environment where individuals may benefit from the assistance of such animals as needed to participate in university programs, services and activities. The university is also committed to engaging in a proactive and interactive process with individuals with disabilities to ensure reasonable accommodations. VCU recognizes that certain standards governing animals on university property are necessary to protect the safety and security of members of the university community and the animals present on university property, as well as to prevent disruption to university functions and operations and damage to university property.

The university is committed to compliance with state and federal laws, and the restrictions of this policy are designed to comply with Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), The Fair Housing Act, Virginia law governing access for service dogs, Va. Code § 51.5-44, and other applicable law or policy. Further, in accordance with VCU’s Space Use Regulation, 8 VAC 90-70-10 et seq., entry upon and use of university property must be in accord with university policy. Any person who violates these restrictions may be excluded from university property, subject to criminal penalties for trespass, or subject to university action under applicable policy, such as the Student Code of Conduct or employee conduct policies.

A Service Animal is a dog, or in certain circumstances a miniature horse, that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, which may include a physical, sensory, psychological, intellectual or other cognitive disability. The task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.

A service dog in training is not considered a qualified service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but is granted modified access to university property subject to state law criteria. The dog must be a minimum of six months old and wearing at all times an appropriate harness, leash, vest, or other identifying marking indicating that it is in continuous training to become a service dog. Socialization and obedience training do not constitute continuous training, as all animals permitted inside VCU buildings or in areas requiring special access must be controlled at all times, and as appropriate. The handler and dog must meet the requirements as set forth by Code of Virginia Section 51.5-44 (E).

Virginia Commonwealth University does not discriminate in admissions, treatment, employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity and actual or perceived shared ancestry), age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), parenting status, marital status, political affiliation, military status (including veteran status), genetic information (including family medical history), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights

Act of 1964; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; the Virginia Human Rights Act; the Virginia Personnel Act; and other state or federal laws and university policies. VCU prohibits sexual harassment and sex-based misconduct, including sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence. VCU also prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants for employment because they have inquired about, discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding accessibility policies, the ADA, Sections 503 and 504, and related statutes and regulations: Katy Washington, Chief Accessibility Officer, 912 West Grace Street, 2nd Floor, Box 842549, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-2549, (804) 828-1347, adaservices@vcu.edu 

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and Title VI: Cleopatra Magwaro, Associate Vice President of Equity and Access Services. Complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation may be directed to Equity and Access Services at equity@vcu.edu, (804) 828-1347, 912 W Grace St, 2nd Floor, Box 843022, Richmond, Virginia 23284-3022. Complaints may also be filed with the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Department of Human Resource Management.

The following person has been designated to serve as the overall coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance: Elizabeth Scott-Francis, Title IX Coordinator & Director of Outreach and Support, Equity and Access Services, 912 W Grace St, 2nd Floor, Box 843022, Richmond, Virginia 23284-3022, (804) 828-1347, titleix@vcu.edu. Inquiries about the application of Title IX to VCU may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@vcu.edu or to the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

To schedule testing appointments, go to https://sanford.accessiblelearning.com/VCUHS, then select “Alternative Testing" from the left-hand menu. 

• Please confirm exam information with your faculty before requesting an appointment. 
• All testing dates should be submitted AT LEAST one week prior to the exam date.
• Please complete all exam requests for all courses at the beginning of the semester. Requests must be made AT LEAST three (3) business days before an exam. If the request is made less than three (3) business days before the exam date, you will need to test in class and / or with your professor.
• The Testing Center does not allow walk-in appointments. 

It is the professor’s responsibility to complete the proper steps to submit exams to the Testing Center to ensure students are able to complete the exam (i.e. Course Instructions and Exam Instructions forms); otherwise, the exam may have to be cancelled or rescheduled. We ask that all exam information is finalized two (2) calendar days before the exam. Exams will become uneditable at 11:59PM two (2) days before the exam (i.e. the last edit time for an exam Monday would be Saturday by 11:59PM). Please ensure all information is accurate (passwords, times, etc.) prior to this.

Students are responsible for arriving on time for each of their scheduled exams and having the necessary materials to test.

• Students should arrive 5-10 minutes prior to their start time. 
• Exams should be pre-downloaded prior to coming to the Testing Center with adequate space on their internal drive(s) to begin the exam.
• Required Materials: VCU ID, personal computer, computer charger, writing utensils, calculator, scratch paper is available upon request unless otherwise indicated

Upon arrival at the Testing Center, students must check in by filling out a blue sheet and bringing it to the DAS staff member in the lobby or directly to the proctor desk. 

• Students should put all belongings in the cubbies in the lobby and collect required items for testing. Unauthorized electronics, notes, or other materials must be left in the lobby.
• Students will be provided a sheet that provides the exam beginning and end time, duration, password, accommodations, and any additional information.
• DAS staff will determine a testing space for each student once check-in is complete. 
• If a student uses a private room as a required accommodation and if a room is unavailable, their exam may be scheduled when resources are available.
• A limited number of unreserved private rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Once students receive their exam / password sheet, they must begin their exam immediately.

Students are required to follow all departmental and faculty-specific exam policies in addition to DAS Testing Center policies.

• Students may not view, access, or otherwise use any device, tool, or aid that is not already approved by DAS in their Accommodation Letter or the course faculty during exams. 
• DAS staff reserves the right to request that students show that phones, watches, notes, and / or other materials are put away appropriately at any time during the exam.

Upon completion of the exam, students must check out with the Testing Center proctor.

• Students must show the proctor that they have submitted the exam (i.e. green check mark screen, completion confirmation screen) or turn in the paper exam.
• Students must return all papers (password sheet, scratch paper, formula sheets, etc.). 
• Items that were not initially brought into the Testing Center cannot leave with students.

Faculty must specify their preferred return method for completed paper exams on the AIM Course Instruction form. 

• In-person pickup: Completed exams may be picked up from the DAS Testing Center by the faculty member or a designee identified on the AIM Course Instruction Form. 
• Student delivery: With the faculty approval and documented on the AIM Course Instruction Form, students may return completed exams in a sealed envelope provided by the DAS Testing Center. The envelope must remain sealed until received by the faculty or the designated recipient listed by the faculty. 
• Scanned and emailed return: Exams designated for electronic return will be scanned and emailed to the address specified by the faculty member on the AIM Course Instruction Form by the end of the next business day following exam completion. Business days exclude weekends, university holidays, and university closures. This is the most commonly used return method.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform DAS of any changes regarding testing appointments, including if the student will be late or will not be testing with DAS.

• Students must contact their professor to reschedule exams with the Testing Center. The ability to reschedule exams is at the discretion of the faculty unless otherwise specified in the student’s accommodation letter. 
• Students who arrive and / or start late will lose exam time and may have to reschedule. Delayed starts due to technical difficulties or a high volume of students may also lose time.

If a student is more than thirty (30) minutes late to a scheduled Testing Center appointment and has not contacted their professor and DAS staff, the student will be marked as a no-show. Notification of the no-show will be sent to the student and course professor. Taking the exam with shortened time or rescheduling after 30 minutes is at the discretion of the professor.

All examinations, quizzes, and academic exercises at the DAS Testing Center are bound to VCU's Honor System & Standards of Academic Conduct. Students are expected to follow all DAS Testing Center policies and adhere to the VCU Student Code of Conduct at all times. 

Students may not view, access, or otherwise use any device, tool, or aid that is not approved by DAS through their Accommodation Letter or the course professor. 

• Unapproved use of cell phones, smartwatches, technological devices, assistive devices, notes, formula sheets, recording devices (meta glasses, cameras, etc.), and artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Meta) is a violation of testing integrity.
• Students must leave all belongings in the cubicles located in the DAS lobby. The Testing Center is not responsible for lost nor damaged property.
• DAS staff reserves the right to request that students show that phones, smartwatches, notes, or other materials are put away appropriately at any time during the exam.

The Testing Center is monitored by a proctor and video surveillance at all times. 

• Any suspicious behavior regarding testing integrity will result in an email to the faculty. Recordings may also be sent to the course professor upon request. 
• Failure to comply with the policies and procedures of the Testing Center may result in a change of testing accommodations.

For any questions or concerns regarding exams, please contact dasexams@vcu.edu. 

For any other questions, please contact acadsuccess@vcu.edu.