Academic Support & Faculty Outreach
Faculty Outreach
How can LRAC help me communicate with my instructors?
Our role is to help facilitate problem-solving and reasonable accommodations in the event of extenuating circumstances. Our office provides advocacy for a range of life circumstances such as medical emergencies, short-term accommodation needs, and bereavement. We assist with conversations with faculty to explore options and minimize the impact of your circumstances on your academics.
For information related to Title IX advocacy, please click here.
What should I do if I am unable to resolve a conflict with my instructor?
Our advocates will discuss your options with you. Your options could potentially include communication with your department and initiation of an Academic Grievance. While the Academic Grievance process is outside the scope of LRAC's services, advocates can provide resource navigation and referrals.
What documentation do I need to provide for LRAC to assist with faculty communication?
To initiate faculty outreach, our office requires a form of documentation supporting the circumstances you have shared with us. The documentation needed will depend on your individual circumstances. Please call our office at 505-277-2911, or email us at loborespect@unm.edu, to discuss your options.
Absences
I missed class/will be missing class due to a medical issue or other personal circumstance. What should I do?
For absences of less than five days, we recommend that you contact your instructor to discuss their attendance policy and determine steps needed to make up missed work. It is ideal to give your instructor notice of your absence as far in advance as possible. For absences of five days or longer, in the event of an emergency, or when specifically required by an instructor, you are encouraged to contact our office for an absence notification to be sent to your faculty. You will be asked to provide our office with supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note or visit summary.
Does an absence notification from LRAC guarantee that my absence will be excused?
No. A formal absence notification from our office communicates to your instructors that the reason for your absence has been documented. Your absence is still subject to your instructor’s absence policy. You may still lose points for missed in-class work. It is recommended that you follow up directly with your instructor to determine your options for minimizing the impact of an absence and making up missed work. If you have been working with LRAC, you can copy our office on your email communications for support in making a plan with your instructor and arranging reasonable accommodations.
What if I have upcoming travel?
LRAC can provide an absence notification only for absences that are related to a documented extenuating circumstance or UNM-sponsored activity. For non-emergent absences, please contact your instructor in advance to determine your options.
Short-term Accommodations
What is a short-term accommodation?
An accommodation is considered short-term if it is related to an injury or medical condition which impacts you for less than six months. Short-term accommodations must be feasible within the context of each academic course and cannot be enforced by LRAC. LRAC's role is to advocate for reasonable accommodations, but we cannot make a guarantee of outcome.
When should I work with the Accessibility Resource Center and when should I work with LRAC?
The Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) provides long-term accommodations (six months or longer in duration). LRAC provides support with short-term accommodations, as well as outreach and advocacy for acute situations. For example, many students contact LRAC for support following a hospitalization, or during recovery from an injury or surgery. If the student receives a diagnosis requiring additional support and long-term accommodations, it is recommended that the student register with ARC.
What are examples of common short-term accommodations?
LRAC provides advocacy for short-term accommodations such as attendance flexibility, deadline extensions, and modification of in class activities. On a case by case basis, we may explore additional options. Please note, however, we cannot require your instructor to implement short-term accommodations. Our recommendations are still subject to the instructor’s course policy and departmental requirements.
Who should I contact for information about temporary parking permits for accessible spaces?
Please contact UNM Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) at 505-277-1938. More information about accessible parking locations can be found here.
Military Withdrawals
Can I get a refund for textbooks?
Yes. You will be eligible for a refund at the Customer Service counter of the UNM Bookstore (505-277-5451).
Can I get a refund for parking permit?
Yes. Take your parking permit to Parking & Transportation Services (505-277-1938) in order to receive a refund.
Can I get a refund for my residence hall?
Yes. You will receive the refund based on the daily rate. Contact Residence Life & Student Housing (505-277-2606) for additional information.
If there is any outstanding balance in my student account, can the due date be postponed?
Yes. The Bursar's Office will freeze your student account. No service charge will be added during your military leave. Contact the Bursar's Office at 505-277-5363 for additional information.
Tuition Refund Appeal
How do I know if I am eligible for a tuition adjustment?
To be eligible for a Tuition Refund Appeal through our office, you must meet the following initial requirements:
1) have withdrawn from your course(s),
2) have received a grade of W,
3) have withdrawn due to documented extenuating circumstances. You can find detailed eligibility criteria and instructions here.
I have a balance on my Bursar account and I am not sure why I am being charged. What should I do?
Contact the Bursar’s Office at 505-277-5363 to determine what you are being charged for. If you meet criteria for a Tuition Refund Appeal through our office, you may be eligible to reduce your tuition charges. If your circumstances do not meet our criteria, or if you have non-tuition charges, you may be referred to a different department or process.
What kind of documentation should I include with my Tuition Refund Appeal?
This will vary based on your circumstances. If you are appealing based on a medical condition, it is recommended that you include a doctor’s note, visit summary, or letter of support from a medical provider, counselor, or social worker. You are not required to disclose a diagnosis. If you are unsure of how best to support your appeal with documentation, please contact our office at 505-277-2911, or by email at loborespect@unm.edu, to discuss your options.
My Tuition Refund Appeal was denied. What should I do?
Please refer to the appeal letter you received by email. If your appeal was denied due to insufficient documentation, please call our office at 505-277-2911, or email us at loborespect@unm.edu, to determine the form of documentation needed. If we receive additional documentation, your appeal will be reviewed again. If your appeal was denied because your circumstances did not meet our criteria, we recommend following up with the Bursar’s Office at 505-277-5363 to determine your options.
My Tuition Refund Appeal was successful, but I still owe a balance. What does this mean?
We recommend that you contact the Bursar’s Office with for clarification regarding your remaining charges. A successful appeal typically results in a 50% adjustment, and so it is likely that there will be some charges remaining. Additionally, our Tuition Refund Appeal process is limited to tuition charges. This means that it will not reduce charges from housing, the bookstore, or other services.
