Welcome, Orediggers!

Montana Tech is committed to increasing campus accessibility and removing barriers by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. In addition, Disability Services processes vaccine exemption requests, assists faculty in accommodating students with temporary injuries, monitors physical and digital accessibility on campus, and co-operates the campus Testing Center.

26% of Americans are disabled

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

21% of veteran students have a disability

DiversAbility at Yale

Accommodations boost academic performance!

Frontiers in Education

Student F.A.Q.

North Campus: We are located in the back of the Student Success Center (SSC). It's the new-ish gray building down the hill by the football field, across from the HPER/athletics. Once inside, look for signs for the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE). There is a parking lot across the street with visitor parking, as well as a few spots in front of the building. Our hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, excluding holidays.

South Campus: The Coordinator can be found in room 131G at Highlands College every other Tuesday from 9 - 11:30am, excluding holidays.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes anyone who has a record of such an impairment, even if she or he does not currently have a disability, and people who do not have a disability but are regarded as having one.

Generally, students reach out to Disability Services via phone or email. They speak with the Coordinator to go over their diagnosis, history, and access needs using the students preferred communciation method, though in-person meetings are strongly encouraged. Then, the student submits a New Student Application and Documentation. Once all the required materials are in, the Coordinator issues an Accommodation Letter to relevant faculty. Students are required to obtain a new letter each semester, and may do so by simply contacting Disability Services at the beginning of each semester.

Student disclosure of a disability is voluntary. Data is collected when applying for Disability Services for the purpose of reporting demographic information, but student identity remains anonymous. Montana Tech considers disability-related information as confidential material. The information will not be released except in response to a student’s request or written authorization to assist a student with an education-related issue, or as permitted under certain circumstances per legal guidelines. Faculty are sent an Accommodation Letter every semester, which informs them that a student in their class is registered with Disability Services and is permitted accommodations, but it does not give a diagnosis, or any other private information.

Resources are, sadly, limited in Butte, but we recommend contacting Mountain West Psychological Services, Western Montana Mental Health Center, We Care Behavioral Health, Aware, Inc., or Psychiatric Consultants, Inc. If you don't have insurance to cover medical appointments, Montana Tech provides student health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Other organizations that may be helpful to you include Ability Montana, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Disability and Health Program, Rocky Mountain ADA CenterSouthwest Montana Aging and Disability Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Disability Services encourages students to check out the Disability Services section on this list from Helena College, this list from Montana State University's Office of Disability Services, and Reach Higher Montana, as well as a selection of general scholarships from Tech's Financial Aid office.

Additionally, we may be able to nominate a student with a 3.0 or above GPA who plans to start at Tech in a fall semester for the Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN)'s Teresa Haven Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. If a prospective student is interested in being nominated for this scholarship, reach out to the Coordinator.

Complications from pregnancy may fall under Disability Services if it negatively affects a major life activity. Examples of such complications include pregnant women who were prescribed bed rest by physicians, or women who developed diabetes, mobility issues, high blood pressure, or depression while pregnant. Outside of complications, the rights of pregnant and parenting students (mothers, fathers, and same-sex partners) fall under Title IX.

Students who are injured while enrolled at Montana Tech, whether it be on or off campus, may be eligible for temporary accommodations. Such conditions include broken bones, concussions, or recovery from a major surgery. Students with temporary injuries are encouraged to contact their faculty first and inform them of the situation so that they may create a plan to make up missed work and attendance. Disability Services is happy to help support both students and faculty in this process as needed. For more information, see our policy on Temporary Injuries.
I Need Help!

The Academic Succiess Coach with TRIO Student Support Services and the peer tutors at the Tutoring Center are available to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in their academics. 

The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers drop-in and one-on-one tutoring appointments for most classes. See the following schedules for drop-in tutoring hours and subjects: North Campus and South Campus. For other subjects, students are encouraged to request a private appointment or try online tutoring. ACE also hosts The Writer's Studio, which helps students become better writers by teaching them how to structure papers, proofread, and cite sources with one-on-one consultations or online tutoring.

Tech offers students the opportunity to speak with a licensed therapist both in-person and online free of charge.

There is also registered nurse available on the lower level of the Student Union Building (SUB) who can diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as strep throat, influenza, common colds, and urinary tract infections (UTIs), complete mental health assessments for depression and other concerns, administer basic first aid, provide sports physicals, administer vaccines, allergy shots, and medications, and make referrals for STD testing, community resources, on-campus counseling, and specialist providers.

Career Services is here for students to help with resumes, cover letters, job interviewing, internships, and so much more!

The Testing Center can help with that! The Testing Center hosts placement exams, accomodated faculty exams, exams from other institutions, and the HiSET.

Veterans Services is more than happy to assist veteran and active military students and their spouses in preparing for college.

The lower level of the Student Union Building (SUB) houses a Food Pantry which contains non-perishable foods, bottled water, and toiletries donated by community members that are available to any student in need.
Butte, America

So, you've arrived in Butte. It's a small, quirky mountain town at a high elevation, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Maybe you love wide open spaces, relatively untouched nature, no traffic, few crowds, and outdoor activities. Or, you just finished the latest season of 1923. Either way, Butte is the place for you.

Community Events
Woman of color surrounded by icons of technology
Women's History Month

To our past, current, and future female scientists, techies, engineers, mathematicians, nurses, linewomen, carpenters, mechanics, and welders - this month is for YOU!

Sunset over mountains in Montana.
Supper & Stories

Hear tales from different Native American tribes while enjoying a warm bowl of bison sweet potato pepper stew at the the Butte Native Wellness Center's monthly Supper & Stories on March 28 at 55 E. Galena St. Admission is FREE. Begins at 6pm.

Career Services etiquette collage
Etiquette Dinner

The National Society of Leadership and Success, Society of Women Engineers, and Career Services are hosting a six-course meal with etiquette tips and techniques of what to expect in a formal dining situation on April 17 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm.

Faculty and Staff Corner

Faculty and staff are important assets when it comes to student education. Student needs are rapidly changing, and more and more students from historically underrepresented groups are attending college. That's why it's essential for faculty to create more accessible classrooms so that all students may learn from them, and that staff are equipped to support all kinds of students.

Faculty & advisors are crucial to student success

Campus life influences student persistence

Institute on Community Integration

Accessibility is a shared responsibility!

Cal Poly Disability Resource Center

Faculty and Staff F.A.Q.

They shouldn't. Accommodations are available to students with disabilities to "level the playing field" - NOT to give an unfair advantage or fundamentally alter essential parts of a course or program. If a faculty member believes an accommodation will fundamentally alter her or his course, please submit the Accommodation Dispute Form linked above.

Yes, so long as you are careful not to accommodate too much. If a student in your class has a disability or otherwise serious situation gonig on, feel free to grant time extensions or any other accommodations needed on your own, with or without an Accommodation Letter from us!

A minimum of once a semester, if they would like to continue using their accommodations. Accommodation letters are re-issued to faculty every semester. If a faculty member sees a student using an accommodation letter from a previous semester, please direct her or him to Disability Services for an updated one.

Absolutely! But please keep in mind that students must have a diagnosed disability to be eligible for accommodations from Disability Services. If a student in your class is struggling, consider sending her or him to Tutoring Services, TRIO Student Support Services (for students who are disabled, low income, and/or first generation), or the Executive Director of Student Success (for serious cases) first.
Shauna Goodell

Disability Services and Accessibility Coordinator
Testing Center Proctor

Location: Student Success Center (SSC) 3.137
Phone: 406-496-4428
Fax: 406-496-4757