Accessible Spaces and Friendly Faces: SASS Moves to the Learning Commons

Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) has long been housed in Merritt Hall, but with approximately 30% of McDaniel undergraduate students utilizing SASS accommodations, the office has outgrown its physical space. SASS works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to advance students’ independence, self-advocacy, and full academic potential while enhancing educational outcomes and promoting the recognition of students’ capabilities.

“As the director of SASS since 2014, and a member of the staff since 2011, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our students become self-advocates, scholars, and young professionals, with lasting memories of their home on the Hill,” says Melanie Conley ’91, M.S. ’06, director of SASS.

Now, students registered with SASS will have easier access to other support services like the Writing Center, STEM Center, librarians, IT, student success coaches, and academic deans, all of whom are frequent collaborators with SASS staff.

Iris Levandoski ’27, who is a tutor in both the Writing Center and the STEM Center, is eager for this collaboration to improve thanks to a shared physical space. “Last year, the SASS office and the centers began working together to offer tutoring tailored to students with additional learning needs. While students in the SASS program were able to benefit from the new resource, there were still times when communicating objectives, ideas, or progress via email made reaching a common goal a little difficult,” she says. “Having SASS just across the rotunda will allow for students to receive even better academic support because our location will no longer feel like a barrier to success.” 

The new SASS computer lab and testing center in the Learning Commons is fully equipped with brand-new computers, private testing pods, and more accessible seating spaces with noise reduction, privacy features, and security for testing integrity.

“We’ve found that the environment makes all the difference in students’ willingness to access their support services,” Conley says. “With an accessible, appealing, and friendly environment, SASS aims to make students of all abilities feel comfortable and welcome.”