Counseling Center

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Counseling Center provides testing accommodations for students with special needs in cooperation with each instructor. These alternative testing services are available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer sessions, the hours of service are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Counseling Center provides testing accommodations (extended time, readers, scribes, computer use, large-printed, and minimal distraction environment) for ULM students who have documented disabilities, are eligible for testing accommodations, and are registered through the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center strongly encourages faculty to provide testing accommodations within their own departments. When testing accommodations cannot be provided by the instructor, the Counseling Center provides the service as a convenience for faculty and students. If the student and their instructor decide to coordinate testing accommodations without assistance from the Counseling Center, there is no need to complete the Testing Accommodations Request Form.

Test Accommodation Process

The Counseling Center is committed to providing a secure and conducive testing environment for students and faculty. All tests are proctored. Tests are secured in a locked file cabinet. Also, all students must have on file, in the Counseling Center, a signed Contract Agreement for Testing Accommodations.

The student should obtain a Test Accommodation Request Form. One form must be completed and returned for every exam taken though the Counseling Center. The form can be downloaded from the Counseling Center website or can be obtained from the Counseling Center. Students may take as many forms from the Center as needed. The student completes Part I of the Test Accommodations Request Form and submits it to their instructor during their office time at least one week before the scheduled test. The instructor is responsible for completing Part II of the form. In collaboration with the student, the faculty member determines a test date and time and any approved test aids (calculator, periodic tables, texts, notes, etc.) that can be used during the testing session. If a scantron or blue books are required, they should be included with the test or supplied by the student. These items are not available in the Counseling Center. THE STUDENT MUST PRESENT THE COMPLETED TEST ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST FORM TO THE COUNSELING CENTER AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE DESIRED TESTING SESSION. On test day, the student must be prepared to present their ULM student ID or another photo identification card.

Faculty members are encouraged to deliver the test at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled testing session. Tests can be delivered to the Counseling Center by the instructor, campus mail, fax (318-342-5228), email, or the student. If delivered by the student, ensure the test is enclosed in a sealed envelope with the instructor’s signature across the seal.

Completed tests are returned in sealed envelopes, via courier, to the appropriate department. The test must be signed by the appropriate department representative before release. Faculty may personally pick up tests if they prefer. This preference should be noted on the Test Accommodation Request Form.

Testing Accommodation Guidelines

• A three day advance notice is required for all exams, except finals. All finals are to be scheduled with the Counseling Center at least one week prior to the beginning of finals.
• Only one late Test Accommodation Request Form will be accepted each semester. Late test forms receive a stamp denoting the lateness and are kept on file.
• If a student has already turned in one late test form, the Counseling Center will make an effort to provide the accommodations, but is not obliged to do so.
• All exams are administered by the Counseling Center during the class time. Any variations must be approved by the instructor and then coordinated with the Counseling Center.
• Tardiness for a testing accommodation will be treated as tardiness for a regular test. The time will be deducted from the allotted test time. After 20 minutes, the test will not be administered.
• If a student does not take the test with the Counseling Center as scheduled, they must contact their instructor immediately. The Counseling Center is not responsible for rescheduling a test or determining if a test may be rescheduled.
• If the instructor allows the student to reschedule the exam, the Counseling Center may be contacted for assistance in regard to providing accommodations. However, the Counseling Center still requires a three day notice. Therefore, it may be necessary for a student to make testing arrangements directly with their instructor.
• Students taking their exam through the Counseling Center are encouraged to report distractions or noises to the proctor or testing coordinator as soon as possible. It is encouraged for them not to wait until after the exam is complete!
• Academic dishonesty (attempted or accomplished) in any form is unacceptable at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. If clear physical evidence indicative of academic dishonesty is obtained by Counseling Center staff during the testing process, the staff member will have the authority to immediately confiscate the test as well as the item the student is using to cheat. The incident shall then be reported to the instructor for further investigation. If the student is found guilty of academic misconduct (cheating), the instructor will report the incident to the department head and/or the associate dean (or other appropriate administrator), who will report the incident in writing to the Office of Judicial Affairs in order for an appropriate censure to be determined.