Road Map
THE LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER
Located in 3702 Spruce Street (Stouffer Commons), Ste 300, the Learning Resources
Center (LRC) provides comprehensive academic support for all undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students at the University of Pennsylvania. All services are free and confidential.
The center is comprised of two offices: the Office of Student Disabilities Services and the Office
of Learning Resources. The offices are open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM,
Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, and Sunday 12noon – 5pm.
Director of the Learning Resources Center – is responsible for all programs and services
offered by the LRC’s offices of Learning Resources and Student Disabilities Services.
Collaborates with the professional staffs of both offices and others in the Penn community to
develop and implement comprehensive programming in academic skills as well as services that
ensure equal academic opportunities. The Director also works closely with undergraduate and
graduate students who seek to improve their academic skills.
Student Disabilities Services (sdsmail@pobox.upenn.edu)
The Office of Student Disabilities Services (SDS) provides comprehensive, professional
services and programs for students with disabilities to ensure equal academic opportunities and
participation in University-sponsored programs.
The professional staff of the office:
 evaluates documentation
 determines program eligibility
 determines reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with documented
disabilities on an individual basis
o Reasonable accommodations include academic accommodations, accessible
campus housing, transportation and parking.
 coordinates auxiliary aids, services, and the loan of equipment and assistive technologies.
The staff of SDS is available to provide consultation to faculty and administrative staff as
well as programs for specific groups on topics of interest or concern. SDS collaborates with the
Office of Learning Resources to provide comprehensive academic support for students. SDS
staff is available for consultation for perceived disabilities.
Director Of Student Disabilities Services – is responsible for the overall management and
administration of SDS. Directs staff in working with students and faculty to accommodate the
needs of students who have disabilities in compliance with University policy, the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you should have any inquiries or
concerns about SDS services, the Director is available to consult with you.
Associate Director – meets with students who have physical and sensory disabilities and/or
chronic illnesses and conditions to determine the provision of reasonable accommodation and
auxiliary services based on a documented need. The Associate Director is the contact person for
coordinating housing, transportation, parking, dining, building/classroom access, campus
orientation, Student Health and/or related accommodation concerns.
Learning Disabilities Coordinator – reviews student documentation. He works in collaboration
with students who are identified with a learning or psychological disability or a processing
cognitive deficit (such as ADD) to determine fair and reasonable accommodations that address
students’ needs.
Administrative Coordinator – is the primary contact in SDS regarding implementation of
accommodations and services. Coordinates students’ scheduled accommodations as well as
answers questions about services, policies, and procedures. The Administrative Coordinator is
the office’s “webmaster” and the principle respondent to SDSMAIL@POBOX.UPENN.EDU
Office of Learning Resources (lrcmail@pobox.upenn.edu)
The Office of Learning Resources provides professional instruction in university
relevant skills such as academic reading, writing, and study strategies. Topics often addressed
during instruction include time management, reading efficiently, taking lecture and text notes,
exam preparation, test-taking skills, and writing for a variety of purposes.
 Individual instruction is available by appointment, Monday through Friday from
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. (1 hour appointments)
 Walk-in hours are available Monday through Friday from noon to 3:00 PM during
the academic year. (1/2 hour appointments)
 Printed information is available in the form of self-help pamphlets, handouts, and
calendar tools for independent use.
Learning Coordinator for Students with Disabilities – addresses various areas of academics with
students in the context of students’ own course work. With students, examines ways in which
their LD impacts their learning in specific courses and discusses approaches that would be most
effective and beneficial to meet the expectations of their courses. Assesses with students how
they learn best and ways in which they can capitalize on their learning strengths. Works closely
with SDS as well as serves as a resource for faculty and staff on issues of learning.
Now that I know who everybody is . . .
what do I do next?
1. Make an appointment with the appropriate SDS member.
If you have never met with SDS before, call to make an appointment
 The Associate Director works with students who have physical, mobility, and sensory
disabilities.
 The Director Of Student Disabilities Services and The Learning Disabilities
Coordinator with students who have learning disabilities, ADHD, and psychological
disabilities.
If you have not already sent your documentation to SDS, bring it with you to this initial
meeting. At this meeting, you will discuss the accommodations that you are requesting and
review the ways of accessing the accommodations.
Exam accommodations
At this meeting, you will discuss the implementation of the exam accommodation
arrangements (Exam accommodations can be provided directly by your professor or by
the SDS staff).
Other accommodations
At this meeting, you will discuss with SDS the coordination of auxiliary services
such as: note takers; readers; library assistants; use of assistive listening devices;
Oral/American Sign Language Interpreters or Computer Assisted Real Time (CART)
reporters; reproduction of reading materials, exams, charts and graphs in large print;
alternate test formats; and use of equipment to take examinations
There is a variety of assistive technology available at SDS as well as the Van Pelt Library
(898-2316) or the Undergraduate Study Center (898-7561).
If alternate formats for print material are necessary, it is important that you speak
with your professors before or at the beginning of each semester to discuss reading lists,
textbooks and syllabi.
Also, alert SDS if your courses or exams are located in an inaccessible building
(so that it may be moved to a location that is accessible).
2. Fill out a Course Roster sheet (every semester!)
Each semester, regardless of how long you’ve been using SDS services, you must come
to SDS to fill out and sign a Course Roster sheet. This Course Roster provides SDS with the
contact information of your current courses and also serves as the release form which allows
SDS to contact your professors regarding accommodations.
SDS requires a signed and dated Course Roster before contacting a professor regarding
your accommodation.
SDS requires one week from the day you turn in your roster to mail letters to your professors.
3. Talk to your professors.
It is imperative that you speak with your professors at the beginning of each semester and
well in advance of the first exam. Schedule an appointment to meet with your professors or visit
them during their office hours. Discuss with them your accommodations and how they will be
implemented. For example: Who will arrange the proctor for the exam (the professor or SDS)?
If the exam is in an alternate location, where will the exam be administered and who will proctor
it?
4. Review each course syllabus thoroughly.
Make sure you read through each course syllabus. Write down on a calendar or planner
the listed dates of all exams and quizzes. This will allow you to give ample notice to the
professors and SDS regarding exam accommodations. Also, reading through the syllabi gives
you an overview of the course and allows you to examine the expectations and assignments of
the course.
5. Give exam notification.
It is your responsibility to inform your professor and SDS when you need exam
accommodations. As soon as you know the date of an exam—most will be listed in your
syllabi—notify SDS if you are going to use the Office to implement the exam accommodation.
SDS needs at least 14 days advance notice in order to process exam accommodation
requests.
Exam accommodations requested with less than 14 day notice will not be guaranteed.
How to request exam accommodations:
If you have talked to your professor and he or she requests that SDS provide the proctor and
exam location, you need to let SDS know at least 14 days before the exam. There are several
ways to request exam accommodations:
1) Go to the SDS website and fill out an “Exam request” form on-line:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/sds/exam_accommodation.html
2) Phone 573-9235 and talk with the Administrative Coordinator.
3) Stop by the SDS office and fill out an “Exam Request” form.
Necessary information to include:





Your name
Course name and number (e.g., Econ 002, section 003)
Professor’s name, e-mail, and phone number
Scheduled exam date, time, location
Accommodations requested: (e.g., extended time, alternate location, proctor, scribe,
laptop use, other.)
 Location: SDS, scheduled exam site, or alternate location near scheduled exam site
 Due to extended time, are their any course conflicts SDS needs to know?
Information must be complete and accurate.
Tips for Success
 Make an appointment with a learning instructor.
A learning instructor can help you in the various areas of academics.
With a learning instructor, you can
 get a game plan for each of your courses
 build strategies in academic reading
 find writing processes that work for you
 garner study and exam taking strategies
 find a time management system that works for you.
 get help in setting goals for your courses
 find approaches for meeting those goals
 institute structure and organization into your schedule.
Call 573-9235 to make an appointment. Or, come to walk-in hours, 12-3 Monday-Friday during
the academic year.
Check out the website at: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/lr/index.html
 Maintain on-going contact with professors and TAs
Get in the habit of attending professor and TA office hours. You can use this time to ask
specific questions, elaborate on topics discussed in class, and ask for clarification.
 Use other support services
In addition to the services of the Learning Resources Center, there are a variety of other
academic support services available to all students of the university. Use them! Some are:
Department of Academic Support Programs
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/dasp/dasp_home.html
Counseling and Psychological Services
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps/
The Writing Center
http://writing.upenn.edu/critical/help_wc.html
The Library Reference Desks can assist with library searches and navigating the library.
http://www.library.upenn.edu/
Career Services
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/
 Maintain on-going contact with your advisor
Meet with your academic advisor to plan out your semesters and to map out your course of
action while you are at Penn. Discuss with your advisor what majors and courses fit with your
career aspirations and with the way you learn.
 Get to know your school liaisons
Each school has a liaison to the SDS office. Check the SDS website for names and contact
information.
 Plan ahead
Try to obtain copies of the syllabi for your next semester’s classes. This will allow you to
request books on tape (if you use this accommodation) as well as give you a head start on some
of the reading.
 Check out studying abroad policies and procedures
Different educational systems may be more challenging to your learning style and learning
needs—or, in some cases, more conducive to your learning. Be aware that you may not receive
accommodations or auxiliary services when your documentation is reviewed by another
country’s standards.
Student Disabilities Services
A Quick Look
1.
Make an appointment with the
appropriate SDS staff member.
Call: 215-573-9235
Physical, mobility &
sensory –
Associate Director
Learning, ADHD,
psychological – Director
and/or Learning
Disabilities Coordinator
Immediately
notify SDS of
any course
changes
2. Fill out a course roster sheet –
EVERY SEMESTER!
3. Talk to your professors.
4. Review each course syllabus
thoroughly.
5. Give exam notification
1)
2)
3)
4)
Go to the SDS website and fill out an “Exam
request” form on-line:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/sds/exam_a
ccommodation.html
E-mail sdsmail@pobox.upenn.edu
Phone 573-9235 and talk with the
Administrative Coordinator
Stop by the SDS office and fill out an “Exam
Request” form.
You must request
exam
accommodations
14 DAYS in
advance