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June 11, 2026
Finals week is a hectic time for Student Disability Services (SDS) as staff work to facilitate and process hundreds of exams. Until recently, they did so without a dedicated testing facility that met the growing demand, creating logistical challenges that led SDS to consider some unorthodox solutions.
"Processing exams had gotten so difficult to manage that during finals week, we were actually looking into renting go-karts to be able to move tests from place to place because everything was a moving target all the time," explains Dr. Charnessa Warren, Director of Student Disability Services.
That changed in March 2026 when SDS opened its new testing center on south campus, the culmination of a decade of advocacy. "It's been a ask for the last 10 years that we get a dedicated space that was big enough to scale," says Dr. Warren. Now, after years of operating out of temporary locations and small spaces across campus, the department has a dedicated 65-seat facility equipped with its own printing and exam-processing systems.
The center facilitated more than 500 College exams during Spring 2026 finals week alone, leading Dr. Warren to believe SDS may eventually outgrow the facility. For now, however, the department is focused on enhancing the center's accessibility and providing bespoke accommodations for the 23 percent of College students registered with SDS who are frequenting the new center.
Having a designated testing location also removes a significant hurdle for students with disabilities seeking accommodations. "Taking an exam is a separate process for them, which means it is more work than it is for their classmates and peers," says Dr. Warren. "Most students can just show up for the exam. For students with disabilities, it's extra work. They have to communicate their needs to us, coordinate with instructors, and then wait to learn where they're going to take the exam."
Ultimately, the new testing center will help UChicago better support students' academic success while reinforcing a sense of belonging within its community. SDS is happy to play an intricate role in supporting the management of the center, ensuring that all registered College students have access to their accommodations as they test so they can perform their best.
"I would just want them to know they belong here," says Dr. Warren. "Sometimes students who identify as disabled feel stigmatized about their identity, but they've done everything right to get here. Just because they need to do things a little differently than others does not make them any less qualified to be here. That's what accommodations are for, to ensure they have an alternative way of accomplishing the same goals and earning the same degree as their peers."