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Show OPINIONS A9 Deaf students ready to recruit their own ...Deaf students and Deaf Studies majors at this university are ready to put their time and effort and commit to recruiting deaf and hard-of-hearing students if given the chance. The Deaf Studies program and Accessibility Services welcome more deaf students to campus. By Agustin Diaz Opinions Writer hile the university maintains an outstanding repW utation with the Deaf community, Deaf and hard-of-hearing students see no reason why they should not be included in recruiting others with similar characteristics. The most prepared and effective program in all of Utah for Deaf Studies is UVU; this is partially due to Accessibility Services, the program in charge of accommodating and providing a smooth transition for deaf students on the campus. According to the Director of Accessibility Services, Ed Martinelli, they meet the needs of all its Deaf students and welcome more. Michelle Taylor, Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollement, said that bringing prospective Deaf students to the university is actually very successful. They work closely with high school coordinators and vocational rehabilitation counselors so that students may easily access 1 information and smoothly transi- ential, to use the school's talented producing Latino leaders in the tion to a stable college career. and bright Deaf students in assist- community, said, "It helps build However, Deaf students at this ing Deaf student recruitment. Not our community, which is a minorschool are not included in this only will future Deaf college stu- ity community and faces very real process even when it would seem dents have the experience of meet- struggles, to go ahead and work logical to pursue it. ing and developing relationships with students who are Latinos." Chantel Marshall, a Deaf stu- with those who have gone through, Torres says that for prospecdent and activist of the tive Latino students Deaf community, said in high schools, seeshe was not aware of ing a familiar face or The Deaf Studies program at UVU someone of the same any recruitment seris an internationally-acclaimed vices inclined towards heritage who underDeaf students, and if stands where they are program. With additional services there were, she would coming from is comwhich accommodate deaf students, pelling. The power of like to be a part of it. it would be to the school's benefit to Additionally, it a role model is also would reduce the perapplicable to Deaf allow deaf students to go recruit, ceived problem of hearstudents. similar to other minorities. ing individuals comThe National Inmunicating with those stitute on Deafness prospective Deaf stulooked into the obstadents. or are currently attending, higher cles for obtaining higher education "Because of the language bar- education institutions, but these in- among deaf students. The lack of rier," said Taylor, "recruiting for dividuals will serve as role models Deaf role models was first on their students who are Deaf often hap- for younger students. list. Moreover, they concluded pens directly with voc rehab counThis approach would be simi- that recruiters and professionselors and Deaf Coordinators in lar to current minority recruitment ally trained interpreters were not programs. the high schools." enough to play the crucial function But a language barrier exists Carlos Torres, a Latino student of role model. Younger students only if one permits it; and it would that helps lead the USA Latino need to come in contact with indibe more effective, or at least influ- program, a program dedicated to viduals who share similar experi- Mere are currently 60 deaf students on campus --a 45 percent increase over the last three years.w Randy! Nielson/UVU Review ences and struggles. The panel also said that "young Deaf and hard-of-hearing students may be intimidated about approaching their superiors and asking for services," particularly when they are not Deaf themselves. Furthermore, Deaf students and Deaf Studies majors at this university are ready to put their time and effort and commit to recruiting Deaf and hard-of-hearing students if given the chance. When asked if he would participate in a recruitment program for Deaf students, Johnny Hill, who is deaf and currently in the Deaf Studies program, quickly signed, "Absolutely!" As a university, this school has committed plenty of resources and opportunity to Deaf and hard-ofhearing individuals. The recruiting measures taken, as Taylor mentioned, were extensive and helpful to prospective Deaf students. Yet, a more effective and significant way to reach young Deaf students would be to use current Deaf college undergraduates themselves who are ready and willing. 446 Christina Ruth/UVU Review |