The Academic Resource Center (ARC) exists to promote academic success at LCU through providing resources and encouragement to all LCU students, both on-campus and online.
The ARC staff can help you with:
- developing academic skills like time management, reading comprehension, note-taking, and organization. We have programs and resources in place to help you improve your skills to be a better and more effective student.
- succeeding in specific classes. Every year, we offer math tutoring and language tutoring in both one-on-one and small group settings.
- becoming a better writer. We help students brainstorm topics, develop a thesis, create outlines, revise their writing, and edit their papers.
- getting academic accommodations. Students with learning disabilities or specific learning concerns can find and benefit from academic accommodations such as reduced distractions or extended time on tests.
Meet the ARC’s Team:
Jasmine Howe
ARC Director
Email ARC Director
217-732-3168, ext. 2302
Stephanie Hall
ARC Assistant Director
Email ARC Assistant Director
217-732-3168, ext. 2312
Resources for Students with Disabilities
- Phone: 217-732-3168 ext. 2302
- Fax: 217-732-4199
- Email Disability Coordinator
In higher education, the student is responsible for disclosing and advocating for their needs. At Lincoln Christian University, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) serves as a resource to help students advocate their needs and provide additional support as needed. LCU provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). LCU strives to connect students to other support organizations that might be able to provide resources that the school cannot.
Student FAQs
Do I have to disclose my disability to anyone at LCU?
You are not required to disclose your disability to anyone at LCU. However, you cannot receive accommodations without disclosing your disability through the disability coordinator. You must also provide documentation of your disability. Your information will only be shared with relevant LCU faculty and staff on a need-to-know basis. Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively to work completed before you were approved for accommodations.
What is the accommodation request process?
Any student in need of accommodations must submit the necessary form(s) and documentation to the disability coordinator. After this request is made, the disability coordinator will meet with the student (either in person or through technology) and discuss what accommodations will help the student succeed and their class schedule. After this, the student will receive an e-mail outlining any policies related to their accommodations and notification that their professors have been contacted with information about student accommodations.
Each semester after the request, students will be sent a survey to use to request accommodations for the next semester. Since some accommodations, like alternate forms of text, require time to put into place, some students may also receive additional communication from the disability coordinator about their accommodations throughout the year.
When should I submit documentation? What counts as documentation?
Documentation can be submitted at any time. Students are encouraged to submit documentation as soon as they know they will be attending classes at LCU.
Submit documentation to LCU by:
- Fax: 217-732-4199
- Email Disability Coordinator
- Mail:
Lincoln Christian University
ATTN: Disability Coordinator
100 Campus View Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656 - Bringing your documentation to new student registration, move-in day, or to the Academic Resource Center (AD 158).
Types of documentation that may be helpful include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Educational, psychological, or medical records
Reports and assessments created by healthcare providers, psychologists, or the educational system (e.g., a psychoeducational evaluation) - Documents that reflect education and accommodation history, such as an Individual Education Program (IEP), Summary of Performance (SOP), and teacher observations
Students requesting housing or dietary accommodations will also be required to provide a HIPAA release form from the medical professional writing their note.
What are some of the accommodations LCU offers?
Accommodations and services are provided on a course by course and case by case basis. Therefore, each student may receive different accommodations based upon their specific needs. The most common academic accommodations are: extra time on exams, text in alternate formats, writing support, and organizational support. LCU also offers housing (single-room, service animal, and emotional support animal) and dietary (food allergies, food intolerances, chronic health conditions) accommodations.
Students work one-on-one with the Disability Coordinator to determine what accommodations will be the most appropriate and effective for each semester.
Is it ever too late to request accommodations?
No, it is never too late. However, accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, so the sooner documentation is submitted, the better.
At my high school, I received different or more accommodations, why is there such a difference in services between high school and college?
The requirements under the laws governing public education access (high school) and higher education differ greatly. As a result, accommodations and services may be different in college than they were in high school.
For more in-depth information about these differences, refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s document: “Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know your Rights and Responsibilities.”
Do I have to use my accommodations in every class?
At the beginning of every semester, students with documentation on file are sent a form to complete asking for classes and the accommodations needed in those classes. After completing this form, the ARC e-mails this information out to professors.
Students may choose to utilize their accommodations differently depending on course requirements and components. For example, a student may have an accommodation for extra paper on an exam, but if the exam is online, then the paper is not needed. The choice and responsibility to ask for accommodations is up to the student.
Since accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, if a student chooses not to use an accommodation in a class, then that student will not be given the opportunity to retake exams or make-up assignments with the accommodation at a later date.
Parent FAQs
Can LCU be a part of my child’s exit IEP/504 meeting?
As long as time allows within our office, we would love to be a part of your child’s exit meeting. You can ask the school to add us to the meeting participants and have them email the disability coordinator with the time. If the school is close by, we can normally make it to in-person meetings, otherwise, we can join via video or phone conferencing.
What can I do to help my child succeed once they start classes at LCU?
The main thing that students struggle with at the beginning of their college experience is advocating for themselves. Students are expected to communicate when an accommodation isn’t working or when they need an accommodation. The best thing you can do to help your child succeed is have them start practicing these skills now. You may help them write an introductory e-mail to their future professors where they introduce themselves and share how their accommodations can help them learn.
My child is telling me that they aren’t getting enough support for their disability, what can I do?
Encourage them to let someone know. Our office is unable to address an unvoiced need from a student. We want to help them to the best of our ability.
You can also email the disability coordinator. While we cannot give you information, you can freely communicate with us about how your student is adjusting or not adjusting to college life. With the information you provide, we will do what we can to help your student through our natural interactions with them.