STUDENT AFFAIRS 16 ANNUAL REPORT accommodations on a class-by-class basis. This coordination of services across campus through ACCESS Northern has undoubtedly enhanced the accessibility and convenience of support services for students with disabilities. Student Accessibility Services announced the launch of ACCESS Northern in the spring of 2023, which was partially funded through CARES (COVID-19) funding. The implementation and launch of ACCESS Northern is Key Result 35 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025). Celebrating Thomas James Williams (1961-2024) (Adapted from Thomas Williams’ Obituary) Thomas Williams, former assistant director of multicultural student affairs, passed away peacefully at his home in Marshall, Minnesota, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. He is greatly missed by all who were blessed to spend time with him. During his time at Northern, he demonstrated great care for students, a commitment to community, and always offered a friendly smile. To celebrate Thomas’ life, students, staff, and faculty signed a Northern journal that was presented to his family. Thomas James Williams was born on Feb. 15, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Thomas and Christine (Simpson) Williams. When he was young, Thomas and his family moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Thomas then worked and helped his mom for a few years before Don Varpness recruited him to play football at Minnesota West in Worthington, Minnesota. He then transferred to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall where he played on the offensive line. After briefly training in the National Guard, Thomas began his work with various minority groups and had a passion for connecting kids with higher educational opportunities. Thomas and his wife Barb made their home in Marshall for the past 32 years and were blessed with three amazing children: Josh, Haley, and Cam. Thomas continued to focus on minority recruitment for several colleges. He also assisted with social service needs for the tribes around Flandreau, Morton, and Granite Falls. Thomas had a strong faith and was very involved with the Boys and Girls Club in Flandreau, South Dakota. He had a drive to help young people that he carried throughout his career with a sense of understanding and forgiveness for everyone he helped over the years. His other enjoyments in life included watching the Dallas Cowboys, camping trips, BBQs, and caring for his many pets. Thomas always put his family first and was very proud of his children, supporting them in all their activities. Access Northern coming to campus The implementation of ACCESS Northern by Student Accessibility Services in the Fall 2023 semester has revolutionized the way accommodation requests are managed on campus. Quick Takes: By offering a secure online platform, Northern has streamlined the process for both students and faculty, making it more efficient and accessible. During the fall, faculty and staff underwent inperson training to familiarize themselves with the platform’s functionality, ensuring they can effectively receive notifications, upload tests, and access student accommodations for each class. Similarly, students were provided with group learning sessions to learn how to request accommodations, schedule exams, and review their accommodation information. Assistant Director Kelly Weismantel highlighted the benefits of the software, noting its contribution to a paperless system that documents reasonable accommodations, sends notices, and provides access for students and faculty to review
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