Temporary Injuries and Illnesses
Unexpected injuries and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. Student Accessibility Services may be able to provide assistance if the impact of your condition is expected to last more than a week.
Please be aware: Student Accessibility Services cannot assist with personal care needs such as typing homework assignments, doing laundry, or providing transportation to off-campus medical appointments.
What's Next?
If Your Condition May Last More Than a Week
If you anticipate that your condition will impact you for more than a week, such as a concussion, broken bone, or hospital stay:
- Reach out to Student Accessibility Services early by submitting a Request for Accommodations Form.
- Communicate with your faculty. See the sample email below for guidance.
If Your Condition May Last a Week or Less
If you anticipate being impacted for a week or less by a cold, flu, other illness, or temporary condition, contact sas@sunypoly.edu for guidance and consider the following steps:
- Review your syllabi. Your professors may have policies regarding short-term absences and missed work, as well as procedures for notifying them.
- Communicate with your instructors. See the sample email below for guidance.
- Reach out to learn what free or low-cost assistive technology resources are available for tasks such as writing, taking notes, and reading.
- The Care Team or Wellness Center can provide support to students navigating sudden situations.
- When communicating with professors or college advising staff, you do not need to disclose your specific illness or injury. You only need to let them know that you are ill or injured and are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your coursework or attendance.
Sample Email to Your Professor
You can use the following example as a starting point when communicating with your professor:
Dear [Professor's Name],
My name is [Name and U#], and I'm enrolled in your course, [Course name, day/meeting time].
I am currently experiencing symptoms related to a recent [injury/illness] that are preventing me from [turning in an assignment on time / taking an upcoming exam or quiz / attending class or lab, etc.].
This course matters to me, and I still want to be able to participate and perform the work to the best of my ability. However, my recent condition is going to impact me temporarily. I anticipate that this will only last a few days to a week, but if it turns out to be longer, I will work with Student Accessibility Services.
It would be most helpful if I could [have an extension / arrange for a different exam date / attend a different course section], and I hope this could be a reasonable solution. Could we connect [after class / during office hours / virtually / through email] to discuss this while I recover?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
