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STUDENT NEWSLETTER: FALL 2008
Welcome back! The fall semester begins next week and I wanted to welcome you and send a reminder of the “to do” items that could make your semester easier. Before we begin I wanted to announce some staff changes.
Due to the retirement of Carole Snee, SSD director, and my assignment as Director effective March 2008, we have two new Disability Management Specialists on staff: Jennie Chavez and another person whose offer is still pending, but whom we hope to join us in the next few weeks. You will be notified very soon as to who your new DMS counselor will be, in the meantime, the front desk can direct you.
With Jennie moving to another position, Rima Nijmeddin has been assigned as Interim Administrative Support Coordinator/Reading Services with an oversight to the Testing Services. Rima has already assisted many of you in preparing your textbooks for the fall semester. If you have reading accommodations and have not yet submitted the paperwork for those services, please do so immediately. At this late date you may expect a delay as production is completed in the order received. Lee Khangh is filling in as administrative support and can assist you with your SCOUT service needs and as always our front desk staff and lab technicians are trained and ready to help with general questions.
First Two Weeks: In an effort to serve you quickly during the start of the fall semester, we will be accepting drop-in only appointments for the first two weeks. Only new students needing initial intake to receive services will be scheduled during that time.
We look forward to working with each of you during the fall semester. The commitment of the SSD staff is to provide the best academic support service that our resources and collective energies allow. If you experience any difficulty during the semester, we urge you to let us know as soon as possible. By working together, we can solve problems that may arise.
Sincerely,
Janice L. Brown
Director, Services for Students with Disabilities
“TO DO” List for Fall Semester
SCHEDULE FORM
Fill out the yellow Schedule Form and return it to the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office to ensure processing of your professor letters. All accommodations and services requested must have prior authorization by a Disability Management Specialist. Check any accommodations for which you have been previously approved and would like assistance with this semester:
REQUEST NOTETAKING : Indicate your need for a notetaker by checking the appropriate column on the Schedule Form.
Request Testing Accommodations: Check the appropriate column to request testing accommodations.
Textbooks in Alternate Format: Check this column if you are requesting textbooks in alternate format.
Sign Language Interpreter/ Captioning/ FM System needed: Check this column and use the “comments” section on the form to indicate your interpreter preference.
Additional Accommodations, Concerns and Comments: List any information, special requests or concerns you would like to share with your Disability Management Specialist in this section of the form.
PROFESSOR LETTERS
The SSD Office will prepare letters for you to deliver to each of your professors. Letters will be prepared for the courses you have indicated on the Schedule Form. Allow SSD 2 to 3 full days to process the letters.
Give the appropriate letter to each of your professors at the start of the semester to inform them of your approved accommodations.
Note: Please notify SSD of any “Adds” or “Drops” to your schedule. The SSD Office will provide additional letters for your professors as needed.
NOTETAKERS IN THE CLASSROOM
Your professors will receive instructions on how to request a notetaker in class and maintain your confidentiality. If you do not have a notetaker within the first week after giving professors your accommodation letters, please notify the SSD Office.
TAPE RECORDED LECTURES
Usually, the tape recording of lectures presents no problem; however, if your professor has any hesitations about taping class lectures, please visit the SSD office for assistance.
TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
Deliver your letters to professors before requesting accommodations for your first exam. Fill out a Request for Testing Accommodations form and submit it at least one week, or up to one month, prior to the date of your exam.
READING SERVICES
Please request this accommodation as early as possible. Adequate advance notice is required in order to complete your request in a timely manner. For more information, contact Rima Nijmeddin in the SSD office.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER/ REAL TIME CAPTIONING
Notify the Lead Interpreter, Holly Philpott, as early as possible if you need interpreters or captioning. Please pick up a student handbook detailing interpreter/ captioning procedures if you do not have one.