BSI Policies

All students are expected to fulfill the attendance requirements of their individual classes. Absences, for whatever reason, do not relieve you from responsibility for the normal requirements of the course. In particular, it is your responsibility to make individual arrangements prior to missing class. Attendance at class meetings on Saturdays or at times other than those regularly scheduled may be required.

American Sign Language is unique in that the language is directly communicated through the use of the face and hands. It is important to keep the face and hands free of distractions. Piercings on the face, tongue, or neck; tattoos; excessive jewelry; and/or long or colored fingernails interfere with the expression and reception of ASL. You will not be allowed to wear such items in class. Do not wear sleeveless shirts/blouses, crop-tops, low necklines, or busy prints/stripes in class, when participating in Zoom meetings, or when recording homework videos.

Sign language interpreters work in a broad array of settings with diverse populations and must be able to fit in. Your appearance has a significant impact on how you will be perceived in a given situation. In addition, as an interpreter you are often perceived as representing the deaf consumers. Thus, your appearance can and does influence how hearing consumers perceive the deaf consumers.

The interpreting program is physically demanding and stressful. For these reasons, you are strongly encouraged to follow a regular exercise program. The Gordon Field House offers two pools, indoor and outdoor running tracks, fitness center, gym, racquetball courts, and a wide array of wellness and physical education classes. In addition, in your BSI courses you will learn self-care strategies and biomechanics that can reduce your risk of injury. When consistently practiced, these strategies will support your wellness not only while you are a student, but also throughout your career.

If you experience a health condition or physical injury (including concussions) that prevents you from satisfying class attendance policies or completing course assignments, you must provide your instructors and academic advisor with a letter from a physician describing the condition and treatment.

You cannot sign/interpret while wearing a sling, brace, cast, ace bandage, or other device intended to keep your hand/arm/shoulder immobile. If you are unable to sign for a significant period of time and signing/interpreting is a primary goal of the course, you will receive a grade of “W” (withdrawal) or “I” (incomplete) as determined by your instructor.

Students are strongly discouraged from accepting any interpreting assignments until they have completed their first Practicum experience. Prior to this you do not possess the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully interpret.

Well-meaning hearing and deaf people may offer you the opportunity to interpret. Some individuals may try to pressure you into accepting last-minute assignments. These situations often have many hidden hazards. The best approach is to tell these individuals that as an interpreting student you are not prepared to interpret until you have completed at least one supervised Practicum.

As part of the courses Practicum &Seminar I and Practicum II, students will be given the opportunity to gain experience by providing volunteer interpreting. These assignments are approved by the Practicum Coordinator and may include:

Boy/Girl Scout meetings, Craft classes, 4-H meetings

Sunday School, Swimming lessons, Sports activities, etc.

You are strongly encouraged to maintain student memberships in the following organizations:

· NTID Student Interpreting Association (SIA)

· Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)

· Genesee Valley Region RID (GVRRID)

RID publishes a monthly newsletter with excellent articles and resources. GVRRID sends frequent e-mail postings about workshops, social events, and job listings.