3 minute read
Why CSUN Shines
BY SHAWN M. CLARK
California State University, Northridge. C.S.U.N. C-SUN. How convenient that the word, “SUN” is part of our name as our students shine brightly from the sunny West Coast!
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2017 Deaf Orientation week with new students and group leaders.
As one of 23 campuses in the California State University system, CSUN distinguishes itself by welcoming approximately 150 Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind students per year to a unique, mainstream environment. Since 1964, one campus department within the university’s Division of Student Affairs, known as NCOD: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, has served as the communication catalyst for the Deaf campus community to become immersed in the richness of the CSU. NCOD has proudly graduated nearly 3,000 Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind students since 1964, providing that vital “critical mass” of individuals who honor community cultural wealth.
Because NCOD: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services provides consistent and first-rate communication access services, Deaf students have almost limitless opportunities to learn and explore student life. In addition to our acclaimed Deaf Studies and Deaf Education departments in CSUN’s Michael D.
CSUN Alumni, Richard Ray, on the move to talk about accessibility nationwide.
of Inclusion, Respect, Innovation and Self-reliance. Deaf students who wish to gain a sense of community rave about the growth opportunity offered by the Deaf CSUNians organization as they are exposed to campus and community issues, advocacy, activism and future professional challenges. “I learned how to run a meeting,” says one graduate. “I have lifelong personal and professional contacts from Deaf CSUNians,” says another.
Eisner College of Education, Deaf students succeed in virtually all that the campus has to offer. CSUN/NCOD was the first campus in the nation to provide paid, professional interpreting services, back in the 1960s! We even have six Trilingual ASLSpanish Interpreters. Moreover, NCOD maintains an impressive volume of services—including interpreting, captioning, notetaking, tutoring and advisement—as we uphold our cherished core values Deaf CSUN alumni have gone on to become attorneys, activists, accountants, administrators, engineers, professors, advocates, IT specialists, coaches, counselors, recruiters, case managers, and the list goes on. The old days when Deaf students enrolled in one of three or four majors are gone! At CSUN, NCOD is prepared to serve students majoring in everything, from astrophysics to filmmaking.
NCOD keeps close watch on any developing trends affecting students and their potential for success. A most noteworthy trend, developing over the last 10-12 years, is the number of student requests for captioning services. This has slowly risen to nearly HALF the overall service requests, with interpreting comprising the other half. This growing demand means that technological enhancements, as well as greater numbers of service providers, must be secured to match these needs. Creative “out-of-the box” solutions are already being deliberated with a view toward future trials and implementation. Technology has reliably propelled NCOD forward through the years and is no less projected for the future. With the establishment of Video Relay Services as a basic utility nationwide, NCOD recognizes the applicability of this technology to the classroom. NCOD, therefore, foresees the gradual addition of remote video interpreting and captioning services as a practical addition for “full service” accessibility.
Current and former students continue to share with others the impact their CSUN education has had on their lives and chances for success. They realize that for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind students, no matter the major, subject, club, activity, field trip, presentation or event, NCOD’s answer is YES. Because CSUN’s answer is YES. Then…it’s YES to lunch at the beach!
Shawn M. Clark is the Interpreter Coordinator at NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
