Concession or Accommodation?

Sometimes these terms can get confused, because they both can arise when a student is finding it difficult to complete course requirements because of a barrier.

However, a concession is generally in response to a short term barrier that is unexpected or unavoidable, while an accommodation is meant to address a long-term barrier (stretching over semesters) or a disability.

Academic Concessions

An academic concession is an umbrella term that refers to the flexibility that the University can give when a student experiences an urgent or conflicting event (or series of events) that impacts their studies.

The University will grant an academic concession when a student’s ability to complete course requirements is interrupted by 1) unexpected, and unavoidable circumstances, or 2) conflicting responsibilities.

For undergraduate students, please refer to the Academic Concessions Regulation and the Academic Concessions Guidelines.

For graduate students, please refer to the Graduate Concession Form, the Graduate Supervision Policy, and the Graduate Calendar section regarding Leaves. Consult your supervisor, your graduate advisor, or the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Academic Accommodations

According to UVic’s Academic Accommodation Policy, an Academic Accommodation is and:

individualized adaptation or alteration of instructional environments, materials, or methods of assessment to provide a Student with a Disability an alternative means of meeting the Essential Requirements of a course.

For the purpose of:

Mitigating barriers to the Student’s participation in the university’s academic programming but does not modify or lower the academic standards of the university or eliminate academic evaluation.

According to UVic’s Academic Accommodation Policy, a disability is:

a long-term or recurring physical, mental, learning, or sensory impairment that, in interaction with a barrier (whether attitudinal or environmental), hinders the person’s full and effective participation in the university’s academic activities.

Accommodations vary from person to person and can include extended time on exams, alternate location and format for exams, use of adaptive equipment, financial aid programs, etc. The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) has information about options and how to apply for academic accommodations. Students can also use related services to develop learning strategies, understand procedures, cope with related stress, etc. through UVic Learning Assistance Services.

Setting up an Academic Accommodation

All Academic Accomodation for Students with a Disability are accessed through the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). Be proactive and reach out as soon as you know there is a need.

Students can also use related services to develop learning strategies, understand procedures, cope with related stress, etc. through UVic Learning Assistance Services.

Resolving Accommodation Conflicts

If your Accommodation is not being implemented:

1. Speak with your CAL advisory as soon as possible. Be specific and ready with the details. They will guide you and, where necessary, will discuss the Accommodation and implementation with the Instructor and/or the Administrative Head.
2. If there is no resolution, you can ask for a review through the Deputy Provost, who will normally complete a review within 5 business days. More information can be found in the Academic Accommodation Policy

If you disagree with or want to change your Accommodation:

1. Be proactive and act early. Speak with your CAL advisor. Be specific about what you want to change and why.
2. If you are still in disagreement, refer to the Academic Accommodation Policy, to see what options are available to you. The first step is often to contact the Director of CAL for a review. If you chose to do so, be specific about your rationale, provide all background information or medical documents, and your preferred outcome. If there is still a disagreement, you can seek the assistance of the Deputy Provost or even the Senate Committee on Appeals.

At any point during a conflict, and especially if you are considering a review, please do not hesitate to contact the Ombudsperson. You could also consider contacting the University of Victoria Student Society’s (UVSS) Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) for support or advocacy.