Faculty and Staff

Home Office of Accessibility Resources and Services Faculty and Staff

At Bethel, we are committed to providing an environment where all students have the opportunity to equally participate in the academic experience, including students with disabilities. Students with disabilities have rights as determined by federal and state laws, which require institutions to provide reasonable accommodations for the student's disability in order to afford an equal opportunity to participate in the college's programs, courses, and activities.

Faculty play an integral role and work closely with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) to provide accommodations. If a student makes reference to having a disability, please refer them to register with OARS.

Syllabus statement

Bethel University is committed to accessibility for students with disabilities, and the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) is a resource to ensure students experience access. Students qualify for services through OARS upon self-disclosure of a disability and the presentation of documentation. Instructors will provide accommodations once the student is registered with the OARS office and has been approved for accommodations. 

  • Students with disabilities may contact OARS to learn more about how to register for accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are approved upon registration and an interactive process between the student and OARS. 

  • Students registered with OARS are responsible for logging in to their AIM Accessibility Accommodation portal (via MyBethel) each term to request their Faculty Notification Letter of Accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be applied prior to the faculty’s receipt of the accommodation letter.

OARS recommends that the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course. Accommodations cannot modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. Consultation with OARS may be necessary to clarify reasonable accommodations based on the course. 

If there are any questions or concerns, contact OARS at oars@bethel.edu or 651.638.6833.

Types of accommodations

Reasonable accommodations and services are based on how a student's documented disability affects him or her. The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services works with students and faculty to determine appropriate strategies and accommodations to meet a student's disability-related needs for each term.

Testing accommodations 

For students who have testing accommodations, complete the test request form to set up exams.

The purpose of the Testing Center (BAC 352) is to provide a reduced distraction space for students with disability-related testing accommodations.

When space allows, students without accommodations may be able to use the testing center. When space is limited, students with approved testing accommodations are given priority.

  • This form is to be completed by professors for students who need to use the Bethel University Testing Center.
  • Submit this form no later than three business days before the testing date.
  • Test requests are processed in the order they are received.
  • Testing Center hours and location

If you have questions, contact the Testing Center coordinator at undergrad-testing-center@bethel.edu or 651.638.6883.

Faculty resources 

If you have questions about how to support students, please contact us. Our office has many resources and can provide the expertise and support that you may need.