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Disability Resources and Educational Services ...changing the world for people with disabilities

Student Services

Student Access and Accommodation System (SAAS)


Frequently Asked Questions (All Users)
About the Student Access and Accommodation System (SAAS)


Q: What is the purpose of SAAS?

A: SAAS is an Internet-based software application that enables students registered with the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) office at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to request and manage disability accommodations, support services, and exam scheduling online.


Q: Who can use SAAS?

A: Students who are registered with the DRES office at CSUN, CSUN faculty members that are responsible for providing disability accommodations and designated academic department staff that support CSUN faculty.

Q: Am I eligible to use DRES Services?

A: Services are available to all currently enrolled Cal State Northridge students who have a documented disability. Students eligible for services include, but are not limited to, those with: learning, mental health, visual, mobility and communication disabilities or chronic illness. To get started:

  1. Students should turn in their disability documentation prior to scheduling an intake appointment. Documentation may be submitted to the DRES office, Bayramian Hall (BH) room 110, delivered by mail, fax (818) 677-4932 or via email at dres@csun.edu. Students without documentation should discuss their specific situation with a DRES counselor.

    Note: Submitted documentation should include: Student's Cal State Northridge student ID number and current contact phone number.
  2. Appointments are required in order to meet with an intake counselor. The intake counselor will determine what accommodations the student is eligible to receive based on the disability related functional limitations.

    Note: Students who are newly admitted to the university are encouraged to make an intake appointment as soon as possible, in order to receive appropriate and timely accommodations, including those needed for placement exams.

    Please call (818) 677-2684 if you have any questions.

Q: How do I log in to SAAS?

A: Navigate to http://www.csun.edu/saas. Enter your user name or nine-digit CSUN ID Number in the User Name field. Enter the same password that you use to log in to Moodle in the Password field. Press the login button. If you are unable to login to SAAS, contact DRES at (818) 677-2684 or send an email to alternative.testing@csun.edu.

Q: What are some specific tasks that I can do in SAAS as a DRES Student?

A: Some of the most common tasks a DRES student performs in SAAS are as follows:

  • View course schedules
  • Request Alternative Testing Accommodations (used in the classroom or DRES during timed assessments)
  • Request Academic Accommodations (used in the classroom or to access course materials)
  • Request Support Services (non-mandated services that enhance a student's academic experience at CSUN)
  • Request exams and manage exam schedules
  • View and Manage accommodation requests

Q: What are some specific tasks that I can do in SAAS as a CSUN faculty member?

A: All CSUN faculty members have access to SAAS. If you are unable to log-in to SAAS, contact DRES at (818) 677-2684. Some of the most common tasks that a CSUN faculty member performs in SAAS are as follows:

  • View students with alternative testing accommodations or academic accommodations that are enrolled in your class
  • Create and update course exam profiles that provide instructions on how an exam with testing accommodations will be proctored in the classroom or at the DRES office
  • Approve and deny requests to schedule exams
  • Elect to receive or opt out of receiving email messages when a student submits an exam request and 1 day prior to a scheduled exam
  • Electronically flag an exam as delivered to notify DRES staff that an exam is ready for pick up
  • Review scheduled exams
  • Review the details of all exams taken at the DRES office

Q: What are some specific tasks that I can do in SAAS as a CSUN academic department support staff member?

A: Each academic department should have at least two users that have been given access to SAAS. If you are a department support staff member who needs access to SAAS, contact DRES at (818) 677-2684. Some of the most common tasks that a department support staff member performs in SAAS are as follows:

  • Review exam schedules for instructors that are associated with your department
  • Review all scheduled exams by specified parameters
  • Electronically flag an exam as delivered on the instructor's behalf to notify the DRES staff that an exam is ready for pick up
  • Review the details of all exams taken at the DRES office

Q: Are there any training materials that I can use to acquaint myself with SAAS?

A: Yes, navigate to the following page on the DRES website: http://www.csun.edu/dres/saas/

  • Follow the SAAS Help Manual link to view the help system for all user roles: (Student, Faculty, or Department Support Staff)
  • Follow the For Students - SAAS Quick Start Guide to view introductory information about SAAS for students
  • Follow the For CSUN Faculty – SAAS Quick Start Guide to view introductory information about SAAS for CSUN faculty
  • Follow the For CSUN Department Support Staff – SAAS Quick Start Guide to view introductory information about SAAS for CSUN department support staff
  • On this website page, there are a series of videos for DRES students, CSUN faculty, and department support staff that provide information for using SAAS

Q: Do I have to schedule all my exams in SAAS?

A: No, you only need to schedule exam dates and times in SAAS for exams you intend on taking at DRES. You have the option to schedule exam dates and times for exams you intend on taking in the classroom or online, but it is not a requirement.


Q: I have pop quizzes in class. What do I do if I need to schedule them with very short notice?

A: DRES can proctor short quizzes during scheduled alternative testing hours. Contact a DRES counselor to discuss scheduling of pop quizzes. The DRES office uses a Pop Quiz Authorization Form to establish the logistics for the proper scheduling of pop quizzes for your class.


Q: My SAAS User Account is locked. Who do I contact?

A: Contact the DRES office at (818) 677-2684 or email - alternative.testing@csun.edu. A DRES SAAS administrator will be able to unlock your SAAS account.


Q: I have a problem in SAAS when I attempt to perform a transaction. What can I do?

A: SAAS uses internal messages to inform the user about the status of a transaction. Whenever you process a transaction in SAAS such as clicking a submit button, an internal message appears at the top of the screen to inform you about the status of the transaction. If you contact the DRES office to report an error condition, our support team will ask you about the internal messages that you are receiving. You will also view internal messages each time you successfully complete a transaction.


Q: Why can't I create an exam request?

A: Please refer to the SAAS internal messaging as a guide when attempting to schedule an exam. The most common issues encountered when attempting to enter an exam are as follows:

  • Testing Accommodations are not approved (Accommodation Requests are usually approved within 1 business day during regular office hours.)
  • Your instructor has not created a Course Exam Profile. (The Course Exam Profile provides key information for proctoring the exam.)
  • Exams scheduled in the classroom or online may be scheduled for any date and time as allowed by the faculty member. However, exams proctored at the DRES office must by proctored during DRES operating hours.
  • Exam requests must be submitted within 4 business days for regular exams and within 7 days for final exams.

Q: Do instructors need to create a Course Exam Profile?

A: While it is a best practice for instructors to create a Course Exam Profile, it is not required if the student will be taking exams in the classroom or online with accommodations. If the student will be taking exams at DRES, a Course Exam Profile will be required.


Q: How does the professor know that I have accommodations?

A: Once your alternative testing or academic accommodation request has been approved, your professor will be able to view all of your accommodation requests related to the course.

In order to establish a good working relationship with your professors, it is strongly recommended that you contact your professor to review your accommodations and clarify any accessibility issues.


Q: What is the typical process for scheduling exams in SAAS?

A: The alternative testing process flow for exams is as follows:

  1. DRES student logs into SAAS and submits alternative testing accommodations for each class in which they intend to use alternative testing accommodations.
  2. Once the alternative testing accommodations are approved, an email is sent to the instructor to log into SAAS and create a course exam profile.
  3. Once the course exam profile is created, the student logs into SAAS and requests their exam dates.
  4. The instructor logs into SAAS and approves or denies the exam request.
  5. The student may cancel or add exams throughout the semester.
  6. The instructor makes the exam available prior to the test date and time (department pick-up, email, etc.)