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Student Handbook

Interpreter Services Student Handbook


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Table of Contents


Introduction
Interpreter Services
Registration and Tuition Payments
How to Use an Interpreter
The Team Approach
Student Absences or “No Show Policy”
Attendance
Accommodations
Succeeding in Class


Introduction

  • St. Philip's College provides several support services to all students free of charge. These services include:
  • Equity Center
  • Child care funding and information
  • Textbook loans
  • Bus tickets
  • Counseling
  • Support Groups
  • Referrals to community resources
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Food Bank and Clothes Closet
  • Special Needs Services
    • Mobility Facilitators
    • Readers for the visually impaired and students with learning disabilities
    • Scribing
  • Learning Disabilities and Psychological Services
  • Tutoring Center
    • Math
    • Accounting
    • Biology
    • History
    • English
    • Chemistry
    • Other subjects
  • Interpreter Services
  • Miscellaneous Services
    • College Workshops
    • Individual Advisement on college success
    • One-to-one tutoring for qualified students
    • Individual, marriage/couple and family therapy (low cost)
     

    For more information about these services please contact the Department of Educational Support Services in Norris Technical Building , Room 106.

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    Interpreter Services

    Manager : Kari Arnold
    E-mail: karnold@accd.edu
    Location : Campus Center 103
    Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Contact phone numbers: (210) 531-3519 v/tty or (210) 531-3514 v/tty

    Web site: http://www.accd.edu/spc/admin/interpret


    The Interpreter Services Department at St. Philip's College is here to provide quality services to all Deaf and hard of hearing degree or certificate seeking students. Sign Language and Oral Interpreters are available for the student's needs. Interpreter services must be requested by the student each semester via internet, Interpreter request form, or in person. In order to receive services, the student must meet with the Interpreter Services Manager to provide any necessary paperwork. This manual describes all policies and procedures pertaining to Deaf and Hard of hearing students at St. Philip's College.

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    Registration and Tuition Payment


    Registration

    Students who are currently enrolled are permitted to participate in early registration for the following semester.

    It is important to meet with your counselor as soon as possible when early registration opens because classes fill up quickly. By signing up for a class early, you are more likely to get the instructor of your choice. It is your responsibility to get a copy of your waiver (Certificate of Deafness) to take to the Bursar's Office to pay your bill. The Bulletin will post the dates when tuition payments can be made.

    For those taking classes in the spring, students can pre-register for either/both summer sessions as well as pre-register for fall semester.

    Tuition Payments

    Tuition Payments are made at the Bursar's Office (SLC 127). You will need an approved copy of the Certificate of Deafness in order to have tuition waived. See new policy.

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    How to Use an Interpreter

    Remember,YOU are responsible for requesting interpreting services.

    • The educational team consists of you, the interpreter and the instructor.
    • You will have an interpreter in the classroom starting on the first day of classes, continuing until the end of the semester.
    • Please make sure the interpreter is aware of your communication needs. For example, if you prefer more mouthing of the English, or more ASL, it is your responsibility to inform or discuss this with the interpreter at the beginning of the semester.
    • The interpreter will voice everything you sign and sign everything that the instructor says. It is important to not “visit” or “chat” with the interpreter during class. If you want to talk to them, do so before or after class.
    • If you have an outside activity to attend or Lab hours to do on your own time and you need an interpreter, you will need to fill out an Interpreter Request Form. These forms can be found in the interpreter services office or the ESS office. Make sure you give the form directly to Interpreter Services Manager. We recommend a 3 day advance notice for interpreting service requests. If you need an interpreter in less than three days, please inform the Interpreter Services Manager.
    • If you are not going to be in class, please inform your instructor and your interpreter. If you miss class 3 times in a row without calling to cancel services, interpreting services will be suspended..
    • If interpreting services are suspended, you will need to meet with the Interpreter Services Manager in order to have services re-instated.
    • If you need to change interpreters, the first step is to try to discuss it with the interpreter before involving the Manager. The interpreter needs to know what language preferences you have (do you want more English, less English, more ASL more facial expressions, etc). If you continue to have problems and need to change, you need to complete and interpreter request form and see the Interpreter Services Manager.


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      The Team Approach

      The student, teacher, and interpreter work together as an educational team in order to create a successful learning environment.

      Students:

      • Know that the interpreter is your link to the teacher, classmates, and the material presented in the class. Therefore, watch the interpreter during class lectures, discussions, movies, and labs.
      • Talk to the teacher so that you may get a good seat and ensure a good view of the teacher, interpreter, board, movies, maps, etc.
      • Participate in class discussions.
      • Direct all questions, comments to the teacher, not to the interpreter. Do not ask the interpreter to tell you what you miss or do not understand. Limit conversations with the interpreter to before or after class.
      • Communicate any expected absence or tardy to the teacher and Interpreter Manager.
      • Expect equitable treatment within the classroom.
      • Contact the Interpreter Manager, Kari Arnold (CC 103), or ESS Director, Joannis Flatley (NTB 106), if you have comments or concerns.

      Interpreter:

      • Interpret lectures, discussions and movies and all asides in the classroom setting.
      • Conduct yourself as a professional in accordance with the RID/BEI Principles of Ethical Behavior.
      • Render the message faithfully: do not bring undue attention to yourself.
      • Refer student questions or problems to the teacher.
      • Do not discipline students.
      • Limit personal conversations to before or after class time.
      • Prepare for class when necessary by reviewing textbooks, handouts, movies, and materials ahead of time.
      • Support the deaf student's right to equity in the classroom.
      • Contact the Interpreter Services Manager, Kari Arnold (CC 103), if you have comments or concerns.

      Teacher:

      • Encourage participation.
      • Include the deaf students in class discussions, questions and answers.
      • Speak directly to the deaf student, not the interpreter, when giving instructions or asking questions.
      • Do not expect the interpreter to tutor, discipline, monitor students or assume instructional responsibilities.
      • Any questions about the ethics of a relational situation should be directed to Department Chairperson.
      • Have materials for the interpreter to review before class whenever possible, i.e. textbooks, handouts, movies for preview, etc., so the interpreter may become familiar with the material.
      • Support the deaf student's right to equity in the classroom.

      Contact the Interpreter Manager, Kari Arnold (CC 103), or ESS Director, Joannis Flatley (NTB 106), if you have questions or concerns.
       

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      Student Absences or “No Show Policy”

      If you know that you are going to miss a class ~ you should call the teacher to let him/her know and inform the Interpreting Office (531-3514 v/tty).
      The interpreter will wait 15 minutes for any class under 90 minutes and 30 minutes for any class longer than 90 minutes. If you arrive to class late and the interpreter is not there, you will need to come to the Interpreting Services office (CC 103) to find the interpreter.
      If you do not come to class 3 times in a row (2 times for an evening class) without contacting the Interpreter Services Manager, interpreting services will be suspended. You are responsible for your attendance in class and you will need to meet with the Interpreter Services Manager in order to have interpreting services reinstated.
      The following is from the St. Philip's College Bulletin (pg. 81)

      Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance, day and/or evening, is required. A student who is absent for any reason will be allowed to do make-up work at the discretion of the instructor. However, a student will be held responsible for lecture materials when covered on subsequent examinations. An excused absence will apply only to a student representing the school in an official capacity approved by the President of the College or the Vice President of Student Affairs. Absences of a student are recorded, without exception, from the official date of enrollment in the class. A student who has accumulated absences equivalent to two (2) weeks of instruction may be dropped by the instructor after the census date. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W” (Withdrew). Since tardiness is a form of absenteeism, the instructor may establish a policy regarding tardiness.

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      Accommodations

      At the beginning of each semester, accommodations letters will be issued to the student for each class he/she is enrolled in during the current semester. The standard accommodations for Deaf or Hard of Hearing students include the following:

      • Preferential seating for optimal visibility
      • Copy of instructor's lecture notes
      • Instructor's maintenance of facial visibility during lecture (i.e., not lecturing while facing blackboard, with hands over mouth, etc.)
      • Time and ½ for test-taking

      It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations, they will NOT be automatically provided. If the instructor denies the student one of the above listed accommodations, the student is to notify the Interpreter Services Manager.

      Notetakers

      Notetakers are available for your classes. If you need a notetaker in your class, you will need to pick up an NCR tablet from the ESS office (NTB 106).

      On the FIRST day of class, let the instructor know that you need notetaking services and give the instructor the flyer so they can make the announcement to the class. If a student volunteers, give that student the .

      It is YOUR responsibility to check the notes on a daily basis to make sure they are clear and understandable. If you have any difficulties, you need to meet with the notetaker or the instructor to answer any questions you might have.

      We will do what we can to ensure a successful learning environment for you!

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       How to Succeed in College!

      Tutoring

      If you find that you are having problems in a class – DO NOT WAIT!! Talk with the instructor and let him/her know you are having problems. Finding and making arrangements for tutoring is YOUR responsibility!

      Tutoring services are offered free of charge in NTB 116. Assistance in reading tests and notes are included. Tutoring is offered by appointments or on a walk-in basis.

      Specialized tutoring times may vary. If you are unable to meet with the specialized tutor during these scheduled hours, then please schedule time with an available tutor. If you need an interpreter, fill out an interpreter request form or inform the Interpreter Services Manager.

      Dealing with Instructors and tough classes.

      Go talk with your instructors! They will have posted office hours and this is a good time to meet with them (don't forget to fill out an interpreter request form!). Explain to them if you are having difficulty in the class and talk with them about ways to improve. DO NOT wait until midterms to go talk with them…instead, see them early and often! Making sure your instructor knows your name and who you are will be a big help!
      What irritates instructors?
      • Sleeping in class.

      • Excuses

      • Not going to class.

      • Lack of responsibility.

      • Not reading the syllabus.

      • Not handing in work on time.
      Memory Tips

      • Make your own flash cards! If you have to memorize formulas, information or vocabulary, flash cards are a great way to test yourself.

      • Highlight important information in you textbook and pay extra attention to words or phrases that are in bold.

      • Make up acronyms or mnemonics to recall information (i.e. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally = Parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction).
      Succeeding in Class
      • Read the material BEFORE you go to class. This way, you will recognize new vocabulary and have a better idea of what will be discussed in class.

      • Here are some web sites that might be helpful:

      http://depts.gallaudet.edu/Englishworks/

      http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html

      http://homeworktips.about.com/

      http://www.ohiou.edu/aac/tip/


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1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78203 (210) 531-3200
Southwest Campus 800 Quintana Road San Antonio, Texas 78211 (210) 921-4600

St. Philip's College is a member institution of the Alamo Community Colleges.