CES COVID-19 Lab Accommodation Policy

NJIT’s Pandemic Response Plan outlines that all 100- and 200-level classes must be converged, including the labs. However, we have been receiving requests from students asking for accommodations to take lab classes remotely. In some cases, students (or their parents) have sent requests directly to the instructors. Other requests have come directly to the instructors from the Office of the Dean of Students. Unfortunately, some instructors have inadvertently granted the accommodations without knowing the procedures.

Labs require physical presence, but we understand that there can be extenuating circumstances. CES has created a consistent and simple process to address any requests for lab accommodations:

• Option #1: Students who have health reasons preventing them from attending labs in person should first contact the Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) for an accommodation approval, providing the DOS with all necessary medical documentation. If the DOS determines that the accommodation is warranted, the DOS will contact CES and inform us of their decision. CES will evaluate the DOS recommendation and contact the student with additional information.
   
• Option #2: Students who, for reasons other than health, do not want to attend a lab course physically must contact their own Academic Advisor in their department, who may suggest a change in the student’s schedule to take the lab in another semester or possibly take the lab at another institution. Their Advisor may also recommend Option #3.
   
• Option #3: Instructors and Advisors will send all requests to the Director of Undergraduate Laboratories, Dr. Hussain. The Director must approve any exception, and the final approval must be granted by the CES Department Chair.
   
• Requests received after the semester's add/drop deadline will be denied.

Options #1 and #2 must be thoroughly explored before proceeding to Option #3, which is the necessary final approval to take the lab course online.