UMN Facts
What is the name of the UMNTC's mascot?
Goldy Gopher
True or False: You have to pay a fee to register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC).
False
True or False: Requesting accommodations at the DRC will show up on your official UMN transcript or degree diploma.
False! (Your DRC registration is completely confidential and never appears on your official academic transcript or diploma.)
True or False: Do you need official medical paperwork or a diagnosis in hand before you are allowed to schedule a consultation with the DRC?
False! (You can meet with an Access Consultant first to talk about your needs and explore options, even if you don't have paperwork yet.)
Which river separates the East Bank and West Bank of the Minneapolis campus?
The Mississippi River
Name one common academic accommodation offered through the DRC.
Extended test time, quiet testing space, note-taking assistance, accessible format textbooks, etc.
Many first-gen students feel like they have to "figure college out alone." What do we call tools like extra test time or quiet study spaces that help level the playing field?
Accommodations (or Access Tools)
True or False: If you had an IEP or 504 plan in high school, can you submit that as documentation to help set up college accommodations?
True! (High school IEPs, 504 plans, doctor notes, or previous accommodation records are all great examples of useful documentation.)
What bus route connects the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses for free?
The Campus Connector (Route 121)
What is the term for the formal letter sent to professors to notify them of your approved testing/classroom accommodations?
Accommodation Letter (or Accommodation Plan)
Who is the main UMN staff person you meet with to set up your support plan?
A DRC Access Consultant
What happens if you don't have medical documentation or can't afford to get an official assessment?
Your DRC Access Consultant will help you figure out options and guide you on how to obtain what you need.
What underground/enclosed network lets UMN students walk between many East Bank buildings to stay warm in winter?
The Gopher Way (tunnels and skyways)
True or False: The DRC only assists students with visible or permanent physical disabilities.
False (The DRC also assists with mental health conditions, neurodivergence/ADHD, chronic health conditions, temporary injuries, and learning disabilities)
Name one free feature already built into your laptop or phone that can read long textbooks out loud to save you time.
Text-to-Speech (or Screen Reader)
True or False: Does medical documentation need to be brand new from this month for the DRC to accept it?
False! (The DRC looks for documentation that is relevant to your current experience, even if it was created a while ago.)
What iconic, castle-like library on the Northrop Mall houses the Science & Engineering collections and a famous basement study space?
Walter Library
Where is the main Disability Resource Center (DRC) office located on the East Bank campus?
McNamara Alumni Center (Suite 170)
When is the best time in the semester to register with the DRC if you have a chronic condition, ADHD, mental health needs, or a physical disability?
As early as possible! (You can register at any point in the semester, but setting it up early ensures accommodations are ready when you need them.)
Who is allowed to see the private medical documentation you submit to the DRC?
Only the DRC staff! (It is kept strictly confidential under privacy laws and is never shared with your professors, family, or external parties without your permission.)