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.

Student Accessibility Services

Thomas Edison State University adheres to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA, 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Students requesting academic accommodations must disclose and verify their disability. The University utilizes Symplicity Accommodate for request and approval of academic accommodations related to:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA, 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • New Jersey State Act 18A; 3B-74 — for students who are pregnant, or postpartum, or students who are parenting a newborn but not the birth parent
  • Short-term illnesses or injury

See directions provided on Requesting Accommodations and Determining Eligibility for Reasonable Academic Accommodations (All information and documentation is kept confidential.).

It is important to understand that academic accommodations are not retroactive. Students must complete the application and approval process for receiving academic accommodations related to the above bulleted conditions prior to beginning their Thomas Edison State University coursework, unless they can provide written documentation demonstrating why they were not able to do so. Additionally, students are required to complete a Term Accommodation Request at the start of every term in which they take TESU courses or examination(s).

  • Office of Student Accessibility Services

    The Office of Student Accessibility Services assists students with disabilities to access University programs and services. The term “student” is a general term and refers to prospective, applicants, enrolled and nonmatriculated.

    Contact information:

    ADA Coordinator
    Office of Student Accessibility Services
    Thomas Edison State University
    111 W. State St.
    Trenton, NJ 08608

    ada@tesu.edu
    Office / Fax / Text: 609-337-4731

    Note: Students may also submit information related to their request for academic accommodations via the U.S. Postal Service. Mail is routed through and opened by the University’s mail service, who have all signed a confidentiality agreement.

  • Definition of Disability

    The ADA’s description of “disability” (with respect to an individual) is:

    1. Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; and/or
    2. A record of such an impairment; or
    3. Being regarded as having such an impairment.

    Major life activities include, but are not limited to, learning, speaking, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, working or the ability to care for oneself. Under the protection of the ADA, a disabled person is ensured equal opportunity to fully participate in postsecondary education.

  • Serving Students with Disabilities

    Thomas Edison State University is an equal opportunity institution committed to providing equal access to its educational programs for students with disabilities. Students with a disability requesting academic accommodations are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA, 2008). As defined by Section 504 and the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity, including learning. Academic accommodations are implemented to provide equal access to university programs and services.

    Thomas Edison State University is designed to work with students at a distance and does not require students to earn credit through any specific credit-earning method. Students can communicate with the University by email, phone, fax and text. All University materials and forms are fully accessible online; it is not necessary or required for students to come to the University campus. Students wishing to visit are advised to contact the ADA Coordinator to schedule an in person appointment at ada@tesu.edu or 609-337-4731 (phone/fax/text).