Disability Services
A Disability Services Coordinator is available to assist students with disabilities in anticipating and planning for their full participation in the academic, labor, and social programs of Berea College. The Coordinator acts as a liaison with other College departments and offices in arranging responses appropriate to the student’s particular situation. Some of the services available to qualifying students with disabilities include: communication with faculty and advisor regarding student needs; accessible classroom and housing; determination of appropriate accommodations; classroom accommodations or modifications; assistance with obtaining recorded textbooks; extended testing time; and information and referral for additional services. A student must contact the Disability Services Coordinator and provide appropriate documentation in order to receive services. For an appointment call ext. 3212.
The Disability Services Coordinator works closely with the Section 504/ADA Coordinator to assure compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1992. Also, the Section 504/ ADA Coordinator receives complaints related to possible discrimination based on physical access needs. The Vice President for Business and Administration serves as the Section 504/ ADA Coordinator.
Policy on Appeal of Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
A student with a complaint of discrimination or non-compliance on a disabilities matter should submit a written statement of the specific complaint within ten (10) business days of the alleged incident or action to the College’s Disability Services Coordinator (DSC), Cynthia Reed, College Health Service, CPO 2174, ext. 3212. The DSC will attempt to resolve such concerns informally through discussions with the student and, as necessary, with pertinent faculty or staff members. In some instances, appropriate administrators may be consulted or a meeting convened by the DSC in order to reach a resolution.
The following internal grievance policy is intended to address any remaining unresolved complaints concerning discrimination or the reasonableness of accommodations as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008.
If the student’s complaint is not resolved by the DSC within twenty (20) business days of receipt by the DSC, the student may submit a formal written grievance within an additional five (5) business days to the ADA Compliance Officer for Berea College. (Steve Karcher, 2nd Floor, Lincoln Hall, CPO 2211, ext. 3131.) The statement of grievance must specify the nature and date of the accommodation decision being challenged or the nature and date of the alleged incident constituting discrimination. The Compliance Officer will meet with the student to discuss the complaint and will conduct any necessary investigation. The Compliance Officer will issue a written decision including findings and remedial actions, if any, to be taken by the College and/or the student. This decision shall be issued to the student and any others deemed appropriate within twenty (20) business days of the Compliance Officer’s receipt of the complaint. Files and records on all formal grievances shall be maintained by the Compliance Officer. The process stops when: a) the complaint is resolved, b) the student decides not to pursue the matter further, or c) the Compliance Officer completes a review and issues a written decision.
If a student is not satisfied with the decision of the Compliance Officer, such student may file a written complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Tel.: (215) 656-8541; Fax: (215) 656-8605.
College Health Service
Authorization for Minor Students
Students who are younger than 18 years old at the beginning of their first term at Berea College must have consent for treatment signed by a parent or legal guardian before they can register for classes.
Services
Services provided by CHS include: a) acute care (sore throats, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, sexually transmitted diseases, etc); b) chronic care (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.); c) screenings/health maintenance (pap smears, sports and other physicals, health education, immunizations, etc); d) emergent care (suturing, splinting, or appropriate referral to a specialist). For an appointment call ext 3212.
Having paid the required health fee each term, students are entitled to unlimited visits at CHS for no additional charge. For some tests that are run in the office, there might be an additional charge. By paying an additional health fee each term, students’ spouses and children ages 3-23, also will be seen. CHS provides some immunizations to patients at cost. These include flu vaccine, tetanus boosters, meningitis, hepatitis A & B, and various other immunizations necessary for travel to certain countries.
Allergy injections ordered by an allergist are given to students during regular CHS hours at no charge. TB testing is done for a fee.
Prescriptions ordered by CHS providers may be filled at the student’s expense at any pharmacy. Students who accumulate large bills for ongoing medication or treatment are encouraged to apply for additional financial aid.
Prescriptions are not covered by the College health-insurance policy.
Crutches are available for loan when ordered by CHS or another physician. There is a $50 charge applied to the student’s account for crutches not returned to CHS.
Missed Health Service Appointment Charges
A $10.00 missed appointment fee will be assessed for students who do not call or formally cancel scheduled one-hour appointments. A $5.00 fee will be assessed for students who do not call or formally cancel scheduled half-hour appointments. See also Student Accounts, Term Bills, and Payment Plan
Summer Services
Students who pay the summer health fee will be seen, as during the school year, for no charge. Graduating seniors are eligible for service up to three months beyond graduation at no extra charge.
Health Insurance Requirement
All students attending Berea College are required to carry health insurance through the College. For those students who are covered by parental or individual plans, this mandatory College policy serves as secondary, “excess” coverage. The policy provides primary coverage for students with no other insurance.
The insurance premium is part of the Student Expense budget and reflected there as a fee. Students’ dependents may be added to the College plan at an additional premium. For those students who are covered by parental or individual plans, the mandatory College policy serves as secondary, “excess” coverage.
Policy benefits and exclusions are explained in a brochure sent to each student along with an insurance card each term. This card must be presented when seeking medical care, other than at CHS, such as at an emergency room or a specialist’s office. Students are responsible for submitting claim forms. The College Health Service Office Manager may assist with this task.
Laboratory Procedures
Some laboratory procedures ordered by and done in CHS are provided at no charge to students. For others, there is a fee. Laboratory, x-ray, and other diagnostic procedures not available in CHS usually are available at St. Joseph Berea Hospital and are the student’s responsibility for payment. Usually these charges can be billed to the student’s health insurance plan. Any outstanding balance is the student’s responsibility.
Special Consultations/Considerations
CHS refers students to various specialists and sub-specialists when necessary. The fees associated with such referrals often are covered in part, if not in total, by health insurance. Charges not covered are the responsibility of the student.
Students who miss College Health Service scheduled appointments for psychiatric consultation without giving 24 hours prior notice will be assessed a $15 missed-appointment fee that will be charged to the Student Account.
Hospitalization
Inpatient services, including some surgeries, are available at St. Joseph Berea Hospital. Physicians who hospitalize patients will follow the patient in consultation with CHS physicians. All costs of hospitalization, including specialists’ fees, will be billed to the student’s insurance. Any outstanding balance will be the student’s responsibility.
After-Hours Care
When CHS is closed, a physician is on call at all times for phone consultation. The on-call physician is accessed by calling the hospital operator (859-986-3151) and asking for the physician on call for CHS.
Emergencies
If a situation is deemed a health/illness emergency, care should be sought at the St. Joseph Berea Hospital Emergency Room, whose doctors and nurses are available for phone consultation to determine whether an emergency exists. Emergency room expenses not covered by insurance are the student/patient’s responsibility.
Ambulance
The services of the College physicians are available only at CHS on the second floor of St. Joseph Berea Hospital. Residence hall or home visits are not provided. If a student has an emergency and is unable to get to the office or hospital, an ambulance should be called. If time permits, a member of the Residence Life staff should be contacted before the ambulance service is called. The student is responsible for the ambulance charge.
Off-Campus Emergencies
When a health emergency arises during approved off-campus activities, the College-designated person-in-charge shall confer with the CHS physician, if at all possible. When the emergency is such that the student can safely be brought back to campus, s/he will be placed in the care of the College physicians. When an emergency is such that the student cannot be brought back to campus safely, the student shall be cared for at the nearest appropriate facility.
Confidentiality
The relationship between physicians and patients and between other health-care providers or counselors and students always is confidential. CHS records are confidential and all records are managed according to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines (see below). Patient information is not revealed to other College personnel or parents without the informed, written consent of the student/patient except in cases of extreme urgency in which the life or safety of the patient or other persons is at risk. All employees at CHS are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
At times, health providers are required by law to report infectious diseases to public health officials. Patients will be informed when reporting of this information is mandatory.
CHS complies with and abides by the provisions of HIPAA. At the first visit, all patients are asked to sign a form stating they have received information about HIPAA. Patient access to professional records also is subject to the Records Access and Protections provision in this publication.
Medical Excuses
The College Health Service staff will not provide written excuses due to illness or CHS visits. Students who miss class or work for medical reasons should tell the instructor or supervisor in advance, if possible. Instructors or supervisors may request supporting information, as appropriate, in writing with the student’s signed authorization for release of medical information.
Human Subject Research
Students occasionally are asked to be part of, or participate in, research conducted by faculty and other students. Student participation in this type of research is voluntary and subject to the College’s Human Subject Research Guidelines and Procedures, which are available in the office of the Dean of Faculty. Any student who has questions about the nature of the research in which he or she is or might be involved should contact the Dean.
Counseling Services
Professional counseling and psychological services are provided by licensed therapists through Berea College Counseling and and Disability Services for students who may wish to discuss academic, personal, psychological, or social problems. The services provided are confidential and free of charge to all students. Anyone seeking confidential counseling services should contact CHS (ext. 3212) to arrange an initial intake interview. During the intake interview, a licensed therapist will assess the student’s needs to determine appropriate services. Individual, group, or couples counseling, further assessment, or a referral to another department or service may be recommended. Students wishing to talk with someone off-campus may contact Bluegrass Regional Comprehensive Care, Richmond, Kentucky, (859-623-9367) or a private therapist of their choice. However, students will be responsible for payment of any charges incurred when using off-campus resources. (Also see Management of Psychological and Behavioral Disturbances.)
Missed Counseling Appointment Charge Policy
Students who miss College Health Service scheduled appointments for psychiatric consultation without giving 24 hours prior notice will be assessed a $15 missed appointment fee that will be charged to the Student Account.
EDGE Program
EDGE (Empowering a Dynamic Generation through Education) is the name given to Berea College’s program that provides a laptop computer to every student. In addition to laptop computers, the EDGE program provides access to the campus network and the Internet from many locations, including classrooms and residence hall rooms, as well as access to software, classroom multimedia technology, technical support, and training. Students who graduate from Berea College receive ownership of their laptop computers upon completion of transfer of ownership documents available at the Information Systems & Services (IS&S) service center.
Participation in the Berea College EDGE student laptop computer program is required of every Berea College student. Regular full-time students are charged a technology fee of $150 per term ($300 per year) for the program. Part-time students also pay a technology fee as part of their access fee. These fees cover a portion of the cost of the program. Every student must sign an “EDGE Student Participation Agreement and Network/ E-mail/Web Account Application” form prior to being issued a laptop computer or a permanent network / e-mail / Web account at the college. A copy of the Participation Agreement can be found online.
Students having difficulty with their EDGE laptops should bring them to the IS&S Service Center in the Computer Center adjacent to the Hutchins Library to receive assistance. If a laptop requires repair, a temporary replacement computer can be checked out. Students are responsible for their EDGE laptop computers and will be charged for the value of the computer if it is lost, stolen, or destroyed. Students are encouraged to purchase homeowners or rental insurance to cover the risk. In the event of damage to the computer or loss of components, students are charged a processing fee per incident plus the cost of repair parts. Equipment failure is covered by manufacturer warranty and such repairs are done at no cost to the student.
In their use of Berea College computing resources, students are expected to comply with the Berea College Computer and Network Policy and the Berea College IS&S Network Usage Guidelines as well as other applicable College policies and federal, state, and local laws. Those policies cover security, privacy, copyright, acceptable use of e-mail, and other topics.
A copy of the Computer Network Policy and Network Usage Guidelines along with related policies and information can be found online.
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