Introduction
A temporary condition is a short‑term injury or illness that typically lasts fewer than 8 weeks. These situations can create unexpected challenges that affect your classes and overall Rutgers experience. The Office of the Dean of Students - Advocacy, Outreach & Support (DOS-AOS) assists students in navigating temporary conditions that may impact their academic experience. DOS-AOS can provide verification of documented circumstances and identify strategies and resources for support. Decisions regarding attendance, coursework, academic adjustments, and grades remain at the discretion of the instructor and academic department.
Note for graduate students: Because many graduate programs are highly specialized, please contact your instructor or department program coordinator as soon as possible to discuss any needs related to continued access and engagement in your courses. You may also wish to connect with your school’s advising or student services dean. A list of graduate program and school academic deans can be found here.
- What is a Temporary Condition?
A temporary condition is a short‑term injury, illness, or medical situation that affects your ability to participate in classes or campus life. Examples include:
- concussions
- broken bones
- surgery recovery
- short-term medical treatment
These conditions usually last fewer than 8 weeks.
If your condition lasts longer, you may qualify for academic accommodations through the Office of Disability Services (ODS).
- What to Do First
Students are expected to take an active role in communicating with instructors, exploring available resources, and evaluating realistic options for successfully fulfilling course requirements
Step 1: Email your instructors
Students are encouraged to communicate directly with their instructors regarding the impact of a temporary condition on attendance, participation, exams, or coursework. Instructors determine whether academic considerations are possible based on the course design, learning outcomes, and requirements for academic engagement.
Explain:- what happened
- how it affects your attendance or coursework
- what support you think you need to continue with attendance and participation
Some instructors may ask for verification of your circumstances. If they do, you can request a Verification Notice from the Dean of Students - Advocacy & Outreach (DOS-AOS).
Step 2: Contact DOS‑AOS
DOS-AOS can help you communicate with instructors, understand your options, and stay connected to your classes with a Temporary Condition Notice (TCN).
What is a Temporary Condition Notice? An TCN verifies the student's documented limitations, estimated recovery timeline, and potential strategies for consideration. Recommendations within a TCN are intended to support discussion and may not be feasible based on the structure of the course. Any special arrangements remain at the discretion of the instructor and/or academic department.
Complete a Temporary Condition Form to schedule an appointment.
Step 3: Communicate with academic advising
In some cases, remaining registered in a course is not possible. Before a student changes their schedule, takes a reduced credit load, or withdraws, it is recommended they consult with an academic advisor. An advisor can help students fully understand the academic options available and the impact each may have on their degree track.
- How Dean of Students - Advocacy, Outreach & Support Can Help
DOS-AOS support students with short‑term conditions by:
Providing Temporary Condition Notice for instructors
Providing recommendations to instructors on supports to help you stay engaged in classes
Helping you understand other academic options
Supporting short absences (typically up to 2 weeks)
Connecting you with campus resources (academic advising, tutoring, mental health support, etc.)
What is Outside the Scope of DOS-AOS:
Converting in‑person classes to online*
Guaranteeing specific academic adjustments
Providing in‑person note‑takers
Proctoring exams (students will need to work with instructors around proctoring).
Providing academic accommodations
*In-person courses cannot be converted to online or asynchronous formats due to a temporary condition. DOS-AOS cannot request remote instruction for an individual student. Students should speak directly with instructors regarding any available options for maintaining engagement with course content during recovery.
- Academic Considerations
Your instructors decide what is possible in each course. Options may include:
extra time on assignments
flexibility with attendance
access to lecture notes or slides
permission to record lectures
rescheduling an exam
alternative participation strategies
If an instructor believes you may not be able to keep up with the course, talk with your academic advisor about options, such as a reduced credit load or withdrawal. *Depending on the time of the semester some options may not be available.
- Mobility and Transportation Needs
Rutgers has a Paratransit Service and Accessible Parking, offered through the Department of Transportation Services (DoTS). You will need to submit an electronic Request Form for the type of service you need. Additionally, your medical provider will need to fill out a Certification of Medical Need (also online). The Paratransit Service can have a waiting list if demand is high.
For Accessible Parking, if you have a temporary handicap placard, you can register it with DoTS. You will not need their medical provider to complete the Certification of Medical Need. Please be aware you will need to pay for a Rutgers parking permit if they do not already have one.
https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/housing-parking-dining/accessible-transportation-and-parking- Assistive Technology
Software
The use of computers is part of most academic requirements, and some injuries may make it difficult to fulfill requirements.
Dictation software can help those who are struggling to type and write due to their injury
- Windows platform – click the Window key + H key to open the dictation function
- Mac platform – go to the Apple menu >System Preferences >Keyboard and select Dictation
- Chromebook Platform – go to Settings > Manage accessibly setting and turn on Enable Dictation.
Notetaking software apps can help with getting notes when writing is difficult. Important: you should get your professor's permission prior to recording.
Free software
Notes Recorder –free versions of this app can be found in the Microsoft Store and Apple App Store that will turn recordings into text. Voice Notes – free version can be found in the Google Play store.
Additional options with a fee
Note Taking Express - is a service that provides notes from lecture recordings. You can upload a recording from either your smartphone or computer. Typed notes will be returned within 24 hours. You can also upload PowerPoint slides, syllabi, and other course materials that may help the note taker with context, vocabulary, or references. More information can be found at https://notetakingexpress.com/GLEAN - is an application that can be used from a computer or mobile device for recording lectures. You can embed PDFs to accompany the audio recording. You can also add your own text notes alongside the recording and can highlight sections of the audio for future reference. More information and tutorial videos can be found at www.glean.com.
LiveScribe™ Pens – record both the audio of lectures and your own written notes, and the two are synced for convenient playback. Notes can then be stored and played back in a variety of applications, including Evernote and Google Docs. More information about the Livescribe pen can be found at www.livescribe.com- Windows platform – click the Window key + H key to open the dictation function
- When to Contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS)
Reach out to ODS if:
your condition is diagnosed to last longer than 8 weeks
you need ongoing academic accommodations
you have a chronic or documented disability
ODS provides formal accommodations such as extended testing time, reduced‑distraction testing, or long‑term academic adjustments.
- How to Get Additional Help
- Complete a Temporary Condition form to schedule an appointment with a DOS-AOS staff member.
- If you will only need assistance around an absence up to 2 weeks complete request an Absence & Verification Notice
- Ask questions about academic options with an Academic Advisor
- Get connected to advising, tutoring, or other campus resources
If you are running into difficulty navigating this process, please complete this form and a member of our staff will contact you.
