Got a question for Dr. Hurwitz?
NTID is pleased to offer an online question-and-answer connection with Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, NTID President and RIT Vice President and Dean. Use the form below to send Dr. Hurwitz a question. Once a week, a question will be selected for the President to respond to on this web page. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, alumnus, parent, or friend of the institute, Dr. Hurwitz looks forward to reading and responding to your questions!
Don't forget, you can always go directly to the source with your questions for a more immediate response. For example:
- Prospective students and parents with questions about tuition, visiting, and applying to NTID can contact the Office of Admissions.
- Alumni with questions about upcoming events and reunions can contact the NTID Alumni Relations Office.
- Current students with immediate concerns should contact the appropriate department, such as Housing Operations, the Registrar, or Food Service. See a complete list of RIT departments
Recently answered questions:
- (posted Dec. 23, 2008) How many deaf students attend NTID or are cross-registered as of 2008-2009?
See Alan's answer
Alan's response: A: Of the 1,450 NTID students this year, approximately 140 are hearing interpreting students or hearing students in our master's program for secondary education. The other approximately 1,310 students are deaf or hard of hearing. Of those, 451 are taking classes in other colleges at RIT and receiving access services through NTID. Additionally, approximately 300 NTID students take RIT courses towards an associate's degree. Happy holidays everyone!
- (Posted Dec. 12, 2008) Hello. I was wondering if deaf students share dorms with hearing students? I am considering transferring to NTID and I am planning on taking many courses and I just wanted to know about the dorm situation.
See Alan's answer
Alan's response: We usually try to match students' communication preferences. Most deaf students are matched with other deaf students unless they request something else. RIT does have mainstreamed floors where deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students live together.
- (Posted Dec. 2, 2008) I want to visit your school in Rochester. I want to go to your school to learn about jobs working on computers. What information can you send to me about this?
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
Check the NTID Web site for information on our Applied Computer Technology programs.
We have wonderful co-op programs as well, where our students get real-world job experience with our business partners around the country. The NTID Center on Employment (NCE) will help prepare you to find the job that fits your major, interests and skills. There are numerous companies that know about RIT/NTID and have had our students and graduates work for them.
Each fall, NTID also hosts a job fair. Dozens of companies attend to find the best students to work for them either for a summer co-op, or a permanent job after graduation.
- (Posted Nov. 6, 2008) I was trying to find out if you have an on-line bookstore where I could purchase items for my granddaughter without her knowledge. Thank you.
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
The new Barnes & Noble at RIT opened this summer and is the main source for textbooks, spirit clothing and gifts for RIT/NTID students. Individual items may be purchased on-line or you may purchase a gift card at any Barnes & Noble store which can be used here. The store’s phone number is (585) 475-2501 if you have questions. I’m sure your granddaughter will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
- (Posted Oct. 16, 2008) Could you please tell me where I can obtain training materials for people who are deaf in the area of employability skills? For example, job interviewing techniques, how to find a job, how to keep it, work habits, etc.
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
If you are seeking training materials related to conducting a job search, the NTID Center on Education Web site has a "Tips for finding a Job" section that provides short articles that explain what an individual needs to know for each step in the job search process. This section covers information on various correspondence used in the job search process - including resume writing, cover letters, e-mail etiquette - as well as strategies to use in the job search, the interview and job negotiation.
If you are interested in training materials to promote deaf awareness in the workplace, the NCE provides a 2 1/2-hour workshop called "Working Together: Deaf and Hearing People." It is an interactive, experiential workshop that fosters the sensitivity and skills for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing colleagues to work together successfully, leading to increased productivity for all. This workshop is for supervisors and co-workers, human resources personnel and equal employment opportunity and affirmative action professionals.
To inquire about on-site workshops, or tailoring training to your organization's needs, contact Karen Downs at: kmdnce@rit.edu, (585) 475-6483 (V/VP) or (585) 475-7570 (Fax).
- (Posted Sept. 30, 2008) Hi. My name is Humberto and I am using my teacher's email address. I am currently in high school and expect to graduate in 3 years. My questions are: does NTID have different sports teams and do they offer scholarships for playing sports? Do the dorms have fire alarms and alarm clocks for the deaf? Have there ever been alarms going off during classes? Have there been any fights/shootings that security has to respond to? Who needs to be informed?
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
Hello Humberto and thank you for contacting me. I’m pleased you are looking forward to your college experience even though you still have three years of high school. NTID is one of the colleges at Rochester Institute of Technology, which has many, many sports teams, including our Division I men’s ice hockey team. Several NTID students are on the teams, including crew, cross country, basketball, men and women’s soccer and women’s soccer. Sports scholarships are not given at RIT, but we have many financial aid options available for students who demonstrate a financial need.
Regarding our alarm systems: All of our residences for deaf and hard-of-hearing students are equipped with strobe alarms, including fire alarms. I’m sure some have gone off during class time over the years, but it is rare. RIT has a Public Safety department which helps keep everyone safe, and we can rely on neighboring police agencies including the sheriff’s department or state police if there should ever be a major incident and we needed their help. Our Public Safety officers are trained to know basic sign language. Ryan Hicks, an RIT/NTID graduate fluent in sign language, is a senior officer for the department. I’m not sure where you live, but I hope you get to visit our campus in the next year or two to help you decide where you’d like to attend college.
- (Posted Sept. 17, 2008) A local restaurant manager recently told me that he wished to make his restaurant more deaf/hard-of-hearing friendly and he wondered if NTID might have someone that could meet with him and possibly some of his staff members to discuss this. Do we have a community relations area or individual that responds to requests like this?
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
I would encourage the restaurant manager to contact Dean DeRusso, the Deaf Systems Advocate at the Regional Center for Independent Living. He is willing to meet and discuss how a business can be more deaf/hard-of-hearing friendly. Dean can be reached at dderusso@rcil.org.
- (Posted Sept. 12, 2008) Does NTID have my major for Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)? Would you be able to assist me in finding a CDI training workshop in California?
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
There continues to be a demand for ASL interpreters as well as CDIs. NTID has increased the number of students in our ASL interpreting program. But we don’t have the resources at this time to begin a CDI program. However, this is something we will keep considering. To find places offering CDI training, I suggest contacting the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
- (Posted Sept. 3, 2008) The NTID Alumni Community would like to hear your reaction to the theft of the laptop that was stolen.
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
My reaction can be found on the RIT and NTID news sites, here.
- (Posted Aug. 19, 2008) I want to know if you provide substance abuse treatment for deaf people - adolescents, adults or the elderly. I am a substance abuse counselor and I want to know if I can make some referrals to your program. Thanks.
See Alan's answer
Alan's response:
Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf (SAISD), a program of NTID, provides prevention, education, intervention and referral services. SAISD does not provide treatment services, but we do meet with students and community individuals to determine if they need a referral to a treatment program.
The SAISD staff is always pleased to act as a consult to faculty, staff and student organizations regarding problems with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs for the deaf and hard-of-hearing population. Approximately 55 percent of our referrals are on campus, and 45 percent are for deaf individuals from the greater Rochester community. SAISD can be reached at (585) 475-4978 V/TTY.