Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students

Registration For Classes
Requesting Interpreters/Captioners
Using Interpreter & Captioning Services
Notetaking Services
TTY/TDD Phones
Selecting Classes, Getting Your Grades, WPE, SacLink, Etc.

REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES

Registration for classes at Sac State is done through an online registration system ("My Sac State”). The regular registration period is during July for Fall semester classes and December for Spring semester classes.

You will receive an “Invitation to Register” prior to the registration period (mid –November or late June) with information on fees, any holds, etc. Complete and return the enclosed fee statement to the Cashier’s Office and resolve any holds. See the Calendar in the Schedule of Classes for specific dates the Invitation is mailed out to students.

Fees must be paid (through personal funds, financial aid, or sponsorship such as Dept. of Rehabilitation) at least 5 working days prior to your registration date. Failure to “clear” fees will prevent you from registering. Fee amounts are printed in the Schedule of Classes, your Invitation to Register, and the letter our office sends each semester.

Selection or recommendation of courses is not done by SSWD staff. For academic advising on General Education classes, see an advisor in the Academic Advising Office, Lassen Hall, Room 1012. For planning major classes, see an advisor in your major department. (Each major department assigns advisors a little differently; check with the department secretary regarding the assignment of advisors in your major).

Your registration date is the FIRST date you are eligible to register. You may also call after your assigned day until the end of the registration period to either register or make changes in your schedule.

All students who use interpreters or real-time captioning are eligible for Priority Registration. Priority registration permits you to register, starting at 7:00 AM on the first day of registration, if all fees and holds are cleared. Please advise SSWD, immediately, if your Invitation to Register has not assigned you the first day of registration, or if you are having any difficulty clearing holds. If you are a new student entering Sac State please contact SSWD, at least by early March or early October, for the paperwork to be done to qualify you for priority registration. If you are a returning student using interpreters or captioners, you have permanent eligibility for priority registration and do not need to be re-approved each semester.

SSWD sends a letter to students every semester, (approximately early November or late April), with detailed information and deadlines for the following semester’s registration. Contact SSWD if you do not receive the letter or have any questions.

View the Schedule of Classes to plan your registration. Register on-line. (Must have a SacLink account.)

Plan to register on the first day of registration (or as soon as possible after the first day). This will permit SSWD staff to begin recruitment, hiring, and scheduling of interpreters or captioners in a timely manner. Immediately notify SSWD of any changes you make or plan to make to your schedule so that adjustments can be made in schedules.

REQUESTING INTERPRETERS/CAPTIONERS

1. CLASSROOM:

   After you have registered for classes through My Sac State, review your schedule to determine which classes require interpreters or captioners. (Some classes, for example, multi-media math classes with no lecture, may not require interpreting or captioning.) Request interpreting or captioning for specific classes. SSWD planning for the semester will be based on your initial registration and requested classes. Remember to let SSWD know immediately if you change your schedule.

   A letter will be sent to your instructor prior to the first day of class. This letter briefly describes interpreting or captioning services. Please also refer instructors to Tips on How to Check if Your Multimedia has Captions or Subtitles for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing.

2. NON-CLASSROOM:

   For class field trips, meetings with professors or other classmates, and similar meetings, contact the Lead Interpreter to request an intepreter.

   Brief meetings after your class can be covered, by the interpreter from the class, if the interpreter is available and does not have another assignment immediately after your class. Request an interpreter, from the Lead Interpreter or Lead Captioner, for meetings longer than 10-15 minutes.  While SSWD strives to locate interpreters to meet all student requests, occasionally the demand for services is greater than the available interpreters/captioners.  It is possible that we may be unable to fill late requests.

3. FIELD/PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP:

   To request interpreting or captioning coverage for an internship, field work, or similar, meet with the Deaf Services counselor, to review in detail the requirements, complexity, scheduling, etc. If necessary, you may also be requested to meet with the Lead Interpreter, regarding the requirements of your internship, to ensure appropriate skill level, training, etc. in the interpreter assigned.

USING INTERPRETER AND CAPTIONING SERVICES

1. LATE ARRIVALS (STUDENT)

   Interpreters will wait outside the classroom, 10 minutes for each class hour, before they return to the SSWD office. Captioners will set up their equipment in the classroom prior to the beginning of lecture and will also wait 10 minutes for each hour. Contact SSWD, as soon as possible, if you know you will be late, so that captioners and interpreters can be advised, if possible. If you do not show by the end of the designated waiting time, then the interpreter/captioner will leave the classroom.

2. ABSENCES

   Captioners, interpreters and notetakers are not a substitute for your own attendance in class. They will not remain in class in your absence or be responsible for providing you with missed material/information. If you have special circumstances you wish considered, please contact your counselor in SSWD. Excessive absences will be reviewed for continuation of services, per policy.

   Unplanned/Last Minute: Contact the SSWD office (916) 278-7239 TTY; (916) 278-6955 (Voice), as soon as possible, so that we can make interpreting or captioner changes.

   Planned Absences: If you have a conflicting appointment, meeting, etc. and know you will miss class, field, or internship, notify SSWD by contacting the Lead Interpreter. If you are unable to reach the Lead Interpreter, leave a message with the office staff. Check with the office for the current method to cancel captioning.

   Failure to notify SSWD of an absence is considered an unexcused absence or a no-show without good cause. (Sudden illness/emergency situations are considered excused absences with timely notification to SSWD of the circumstances).

   After two unexcused absences in the class, interpreting or captioning services may be suspended. The student must meet with the counselor to request reinstatement of interpreting/captioning services. 

   Impromptu Short Meetings: Brief (5 -15 minutes) meetings after class can be covered by the interpreter from your class, IF the interpreter does not have another assignment immediately after your class.

3. NO-SHOW OF INTERPRETERS/CAPTIONERS:

   Please notify the office, as soon as possible, of a no-show. If no substitute is immediately available, tape the lecture, if possible for, either later transcription or interpretation. Please also advise SSWD, if your interpreter/captioner shows up late on either a one-time occurrence or multiple times.

4. ROLE OF INTERPRETER/CAPTIONER:

   An interpreter or captioner is provided to facilitate communication between the deaf student, instructor, and other students. They do not function as tutors, notetakers, nor participate personally in the class. Address your comments and questions directly to the instructor. The interpreter will voice for you, if desired, and will interpret the response. Interpreters are expected to follow the R.I. D. Code of Ethics, and captioners follow similar professional guidelines.

   For interpreting services, team interpreting is used in most classes. Team interpreters provide technical support and relief for each other and will “switch” at appropriate points in the lecture, generally every 20-30 minutes. Captioners usually work alone and will arrive a few minutes before class to set up their captioning equipment.

   Interpreters and captioners will interpret/caption everything said in the classroom, by both instructors and students, and will also include as much of the environmental sounds/information as possible.

5. WORKING WITH YOUR INTERPRETER/CAPTIONER:

   You are an important part of ensuring the success of interpreting services. Give your interpreter feedback, if necessary, so that they can adjust their signing or their style to better suit your needs. If needed, meet with your interpreter to identify agreed upon signs that may be unique to your class. Provide your interpreter/captioner copies of your syllabus, relevant hand-outs, and lists of vocabulary or terminology and names specific to your course(s).

6. EVALUATIONS

   Every academic year the Lead Interpreter will forward a confidential, anonymous evaluation form for you to evaluate each of the interpreters assigned to your classes. Your feedback on captioners is also solicited on a regular basis. Your responses and information are appreciated and help us improve services and scheduling. Please direct any questions or input on the evaluation process to the Deaf Services counselor.

NOTETAKING SERVICES

Assistance with notetaking for classes is available if desired. SSWD can provide a letter (“Request for Notetaker/Lecture Notes”) to your professors confirming the need for notetakers and seeking his/her assistance identifying a volunteer notetaker. This letter is available for pick-up prior to the first day of classes from the front office. You may also be able to identify good potential notetakers by your observations in class and can directly ask a student if they would be willing to share their notes.

NCR (non-carbonless) paper is available from SSWD for use by the notetaker.

If no volunteer is identified, immediately return your notetaking letter from the professor so that we can search for an outside notetaker or make other arrangements.

To receive the most benefit from notes, review them the same day as class and rewrite in your own words and organize them in your own format.

See the Notetaker Policy for additional information.

TTY/TDD PHONE

The locations of the TDD phones on campus are:

• Services to Students with Disabilities – LSN 1008
• Public Service – PSB 16
• Library Coin Phone – LIB North C1020

TTY/TDD Phone Numbers:

1. Library-general information number (916) 278-5679 (web site: http://library.csus.edu)
2. Services to Students with Disabilities
   (916) 278-7239 (also answering machine on after hours and weekends)
   Fax Number: (916) 278-7825 (web site: www.csus.edu/sswd)
3. Testing Center
   (916) 278-7870 (web site: www.csus.edu/testing)

SELECTING CLASSES, GETTING YOUR GRADES, SACLINK, WPE, ETC.

1. GETTING ACADEMIC ADVISING - WHERE?:
   • New students (prior to first semester of enrollment):
     1. Informational/registration brochures mailed to all applicants for admission.
     2. Orientation sessions from Academic Advising Center
   • Continuing students:
     1. General Education requirements, graduation requirements, petitioning procedures:

     Academic Advising Center, Lassen Hall, Room 1012 (Drop In): Hours: Mon. – Fri., 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

     Evening Hours: First two weeks of semester: Mon. – Thurs. until 7 PM; Remainder of semester: Tues. & Wed. until 6 PM.

     2. Major courses, minor courses, career opportunity info:

     See major department. Each department handles advising a little differently. Contact the department to determine if advisors are assigned based on last name, if students select their own advisor, if all faculty do advising or if only certain faculty, etc.

   The following majors have special Advising Centers:

   • Business Administration Degree Programs Center – Tahoe Hall, Room 1030
     
   • Liberal Studies, Child Development and Liberal Studies – Lassen Hall, Room 2008
   • Nursing – El Dorado Hall, Room 1016

   Additional Specialized Advising Offices:

   • Reentry Services - Lassen Hall, Room 1013 (Lobby)
   • Veterans Affairs Office – Lassen Hall, Room 1013 (Lobby)

   (Note: Some departments require advising or a hold will be placed on your registration for classes.)

 

1. SEARCHING FOR OPEN SEATS IN CLASSES WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE:

   If you missed Priority Registration or are making late changes, you can search for courses that still have available seats through the Sac State web page before attempting to go on My Sac State. Go to http://www.csus.edu/webpages/schedule.stm and search either by academic department or by “specifications” (searching for certain days/time, by General Education, etc). For late registration and add/drop, this page will also tell you whether you can add a class by My Sac State or use an add slip signed by the professor.

    

1. GETTING YOUR GRADES AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER:

   Sac State does NOT mail grades out at the end of the semester. Grades are due and the semester officially ends early January for the Fall semester; approximately one week after the end of finals (early June) for the Spring semester. You can, within a few days after the official end of the semester:

   1. Access My Sac State at: http://my.csus.edu/ (you must have a SacLink account). Log on using your SacLink ID and password to obtain/print information on grades.

   2. Access the kiosks on campus. (You can also print out your grades from these kiosks. You will need your Social Security Number and your PIN number to access your records):

   3. GETTING A COPY OF YOUR SCHEDULE:

      You can view and print out your schedule at the kiosks or go to http://my.csus.edu/

   4. GETTING AN UPDATE ON YOUR FINANCIAL AID STATUS:

      Log on to My Sac State at http://my.csus.edu/; or go to the Financial Aid office in Lassen Hall.

   5. GETTING YOUR STUDENT ID CARD:

      The student ID card is called the OneCard. You are required to obtain this photo identification card to use campus services such as student health services, library privileges, student elections, etc. The card also functions as a debit card (copy machines, etc) if desired. To have your picture taken and obtain your card, go to the OneCard center, Brighton Hall Annex (rear entrance of Brighton Hall—faces Library Quad). Contact the office at (916) 289-7878 (Voice Only) regarding hours or other questions. Your card is not valid without the current semester validation sticker (fee payment sticker) on it. (See the space marked on the card to affix your sticker). For detailed info on the OneCard, how to set up an account, etc, go to: http://www.csus.edu/onecard/. Checking for book availability: You can search for books without coming to the bookstore by going on-line at www.sacstate.bkstr.com.

   6. WHAT IS THE WPE (WRITING PROFICIENCY EXAM)?:

      On this campus, all students satisfy the GWAR (Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement) by first attempting the WPE exam. There are no exemptions from the WPE. You CANNOT complete the WPE at a community college by taking certain writing courses. If you have attended another CSU campus and think you have completed the GWAR (Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement), contact that campus for clarification and for documentation that you have satisfactorily satisfied the requirement. Satisfactory passage of the WPE or satisfactory completion of the English 109 (course) is required before you can enroll in your Advanced Study class (a General Education requirement).

   7. REGISTERING FOR THE WPE:

      See your SSWD counselor, no later than 3-weeks, BEFORE you register for the exam, if you plan to use any accommodations (such as an interpreter for the directions).

      You will be given an accommodation form for any planned accommodations which you deliver to the Testing Center, Lassen Hall, Room 2302. The Testing Center will give you a notice to be taken to the Cashier’s Office along with your payment ($25.00). An authorization from the Department of Rehabilitation CANNOT be used to pay for the exam. You must go to the Testing Center and pay your exam fee at the Cashier’s Office prior to the end of the registration period for the exam. The exam is normally given on one test date in mid October, early January and mid March, with possibly an early June date. See the Schedule of Classes for exact dates and registration periods.

      Preparing for the WPE: Sign up for a free informational workshop, (no writing practice involved in the workshop), offered by the English Dept. Check outside Calaveras Hall, Room 109 for a schedule of workshops before each WPE. Request an interpreter if you plan to attend a workshop and need an interpreter or captioner. You may repeat the exam, one time, if you do not pass on the first attempt. After the second attempt, you MUST register for English 109, a remedial writing course which helps you prepare for the exam. (You must attempt the exam at least once before signing up for English 109).

 

Please inform SSWD at sswd@csus.edu if you encounter any problems accessing the SSWD web site.