Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

  • Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.
  • Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

Documentation Guidelines

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
Provide a current diagnosis of ADHD/ADD from a licensed and qualified professional on business letterhead. The signed document must include any functional challenges or barriers related to the condition, any prescribed medications with associated side effects, and how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, along with suggested academic accommodations.
Audio
Submit a current Audiogram exam conducted by a licensed and qualified professional Audiologist. Including an exam interpretation identifying hearing levels per ear, any functional challenges or barriers related to the condition, any prescribed assistive aids, how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, and suggested academic accommodations.
Learning Disability
Provide a diagnostic assessment (i.e., Psycho-Educational, Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD), etc.) from a licensed Psychologist, Educational Diagnostician, or other professional knowledgeable about learning disabilities. The documentation must include a complete battery with all subtest and standard scores. The documentation must clearly identify a specific learning disability (i.e., dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, or dysphasia, etc.) including prior approved accommodations.
Medical
Provide a diagnosis of the disability by a licensed Medical Doctor and qualified professional. The documentation must be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed. The medical report must contain information regarding chronic conditions, including any functional challenges or barriers related to the condition, any prescribed medications with associated side effects, and how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, along with suggested academic accommodations.
Mental Health
Provide a psychological assessment or current health care records from a licensed Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Clinical Professional on business letterhead clearly stating the diagnosis. The documentation must include the DSM V or ICD-10 diagnostic code(s), list all assessments used in the evaluation report and pertinent subtest scores, confirm any developmental and/or medical history relevant to the disability, any functional challenges or barriers (i.e., attendance, deadlines, communication, social interaction, etc.) related to the condition, any prescribed medications with associated side effects, and how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, along with suggested academic accommodations.
Physical Impairment
Provide a diagnosis of the disability by a licensed Medical Doctor and qualified professional. The documentation must be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed. The medical report must include any functional challenges or barriers related to the condition, any prescribed medications with associated side effects, and how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, along with suggested academic accommodations.
Vision
Provide a current eye exam performed by a licensed professional indicating the diagnosis. The documentation must include the vision level per eye, any functional challenges or barriers related to the condition, any prescribed medications with associated side effects, any prescribed assistive aids or devices, and how the condition/disability affects the individual in the educational environment, along with suggested academic accommodations.