From the NTID President's Office

I am pleased to share with our community an update on NTID’s Antiracism and Social Justice Plan. We have made progress on several of the action steps in the plan.

On March 25, NTID announced that our college has established a $75,000 Antiracism Scholarship Fund as part of NTID’s Antiracism and Social Justice Plan. The fund is a joint effort between my office and NTID’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The fund will support up to five projects focused on antiracism research/scholarship or antiracism-related instruction. Proposals are due May 14, and funding will begin in August 2021. For more information, contact Peter Hauser.

As part of our on-going efforts to provide training for faculty and staff, on April 9, NTID’s Office of the Associate Dean of Research hosted a virtual workshop by Dr. Lissa D. Ramirez-Stapleton, of California State University Northridge titled “You’re Not Neutral: Embracing Race Conscious Research Practices.” This interactive workshop provided a space to reflect on the impact of race neutral research practices and the ways in which racism and cultural erasure negatively impact the good work researchers are trying to do.

NTID’s pilot mentoring program is up and running with six ALANA mentors and six ALANA student mentees. We hope to expand this program in the future.

NTID’s Randleman Program is kicking off the Randleman Summer Intensive Program for Interpreters of Color. The program is designed for interpreting students in their senior year of an interpreter training program and for interpreters with up to five years of experience. Visit the program website for more information.

The NTID Administrative Council held a virtual retreat on Wednesday, April 7, to review progress on NTID’s antiracism plan and prepare for next steps in implementing the plan.

On April 1, Dr. Alesia Allen, NTID’s assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion, and her team provided an update for faculty, staff, and students on NTID’s Antiracism and Social Justice Plan via Zoom, and more than 100 people participated.

This is just some of the work that’s underway. Be sure to check the plan website for more updates.

I encourage everyone to view the first-ever Virtual Imagine RIT Saturday, May 1. With more than 255 exhibits, the first time with RIT global campuses participating, 24 premiere exhibits with interactive live chats, and a virtual Futurists Symposium on technology, art and design, it promises to be RIT’s most innovative yet.

Information on commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 (May 14 & 15) and the Class of 2020 (May 16) can be found on the commencement website. A list of all graduates also appears on that site.

Each year NTID’s National Advisory Group recognizes NTID employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service to NTID. This year, NAG recognized two people who have served NTID and its students for many years—Lin Hoke and Julie Cammeron. Both Lin and Julie have worked at NTID for 49 years and both will retire this summer after outstanding careers.

Lin started working at NTID in 1970, left to start a family, and then returned. She has worked in a number of departments over the years, including Communications, Communication Support, Communication Studies, SVP and Outreach, the NTID Dean’s Office, and finally, the NTID President’s Office where she serves as my executive assistant.

Lin was part of the group that met with then RIT President Al Simone to set up the original RIT Staff Council, which became an important part of RIT’s commitment to shared governance, and which, to this day, continues to represent the interests of staff at RIT. Lin also chaired the Support Staff Advisory Board, which organized a two-day conference for all RIT and NTID staff assistants. She has been a strong advocate for staff assistants throughout her career at NTID.

One of Lin’s most important responsibilities over the years has been serving on the RIT Commencement Planning Committee and organizing NTID commencement events and activities. She has been instrumental in planning many, many events—large and small—during the course of her career and has served on countless committees and advisory groups. Her knowledge of NTID and its history is irreplaceable.

Lin has always advised people to take advantage of opportunities, to volunteer for committees and events, to step out of their comfort zone, meet people and do things. She’s been doing all of that and so much more for nearly 50 years, and in the process, has helped make NTID what it is today.

Julie is an associate professor in NTID’s Department of Cultural and Creative Studies, and she has influenced the lives of thousands of NTID students during her career at NTID.

From 1972 to 1976, Julie lived in the residence halls on campus where she set up a tutoring center and did crisis intervention with students. She created a tutor training curriculum, led tutor training workshops, and tutored thousands of students enrolled in lower and upper division social science courses. She received the Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1978.

In addition to teaching, tutoring, writing and designing textbook and curriculum materials, Julie has taken on a number of special projects over the years, including developing RIT’s Educational Travel Program. She also created and led NTID’s Special Speaker Series, which brought a number of prominent guest presenters to NTID, including ABC news anchor Peter Jennings; dancer, choreographer, and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov; Jehan Sadat, wife of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat; actors Jane Fonda and Louise Fletcher; Holocaust survivor and author Simon Wiesenthal; and many others. Julie was instrumental in capturing and preserving NTID history by videotaping interviews with 33 NTID faculty, staff, and administrators for NTID’s 50^th Anniversary Reunion.

These are just a few of Julie’s many accomplishments over the years. She has said that her greatest accomplishment, privilege, and honor has been educating and having a positive impact the lives of so many young men and women.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Lin and Julie!

• DeafTEC, led by Donna Lange, received a grant from the National Science Foundation for the DeafTEC Ready program. Through DeafTEC Ready, 12 deaf and hard-of-hearing students will learn technical skills such as repairing and maintaining computer equipment, networks, and operating systems as well as key workplace skills such as professional communication and problem solving. After completing their training, students will sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exams, the industry standard for launching a career in IT.
• Rain Bosworth received an award from RIT’s annual Boot Camp competition to conduct research on Zoom Listening Fatigue in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing College Students. This study will focus on the cognitive processing mechanisms and demands during video conferencing for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people who use American Sign Language. 

Thank you to all the NTID Key Captains, steering committee members, and donors who made a difference in this year’s United Way Campaign. Though some donations are still trickling in, the most recent progress report shows RIT raised $269,895, or 94.5%, of our $314,159 goal, and 947 RIT community members, out of our goal of 1,000, donated. United Way and our local nonprofit organizations have been instrumental in providing resources to those most in need during this pandemic. Thank you for helping them help others.

Current projects

1. The restrooms project for the east side of LBJ is approximately 70% completed.
2. The restrooms on the first floor of SDC are 50% completed.
3. LBJ First Floor Four Classrooms Project – The area is in demolition phase for the next few weeks.

Future projects

1. LBJ Windows Project – The project will begin May 5. Please see below for instructions for those who have window offices/labs.  Important to read below because there are some clarifications from the previous message.

Upcoming LBJ windows replacement project
This is for anyone in LBJ who has an EXTERIOR window office facing East (toward L-Lot), West (toward main RIT campus) and South (toward Frisina Quad). Also, windows on the 3^rd floor that face the roof top. The contractor will begin the west side starting May 5. 

CONSTRUCTION START DATE
May 5, 2021

DURATION OF THE PROJECT
4-8 weeks

WHAT IS EXPECTECTED?
Contractor will remove the old windows and blinds and install new windows with new shades. Most of the work will be done from the outside. After the windows are installed, the contractor will go into the office to install trim and hang new shades. They will also repair any paint or wall damage that may occur during the installation.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Please move all items at least five feet away from the window, including items hanging on the walls.  Everything must be removed from the wall shelving as the contractor will take down the shelves to hang protective plastic. If there are items in your furniture box shelf piece or filing cabinets, and they are within five feet of the window, please pack the furniture contents into boxes. All furniture must be empty to be moved by the movers or by yourself, should you choose to move it. This prevents damage to the furniture and flooring. Email Chris Knigga or Sharon Vandezande if you need boxes and approximately how many you’ll need. Please ask now and not the last minute.  All of your furniture and possessions will remain in your office throughout the construction project. All rooms need to be prepared for the project by April 30, 2021, meaning that you should be done by April 28 for the movers to come in to move furniture.

WHERE DO I WORK IF MY OFFICE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
The majority of you will be working from home. For those who are staying, please work with your supervisor to prepare for other arrangements. I do not have another place for you to relocate, so I am asking for flexibility.

WHAT IF I CANNOT MOVE THE FURNITURE MYSELF?
If you cannot move the furniture pieces, please ensure the contents are packed into boxes, and the moving company will move the empty furniture approximately one week prior to the start of construction. 

WHAT IF I CANNOT GO BACK TO MY OFFICE TO PACK?
Let me know immediately if you cannot pack. The moving company will assist with the packing. We acknowledge this isn’t the best scenario and timing; however, it’s best to roll forward with the project. 

WHAT ABOUT MY COMPUTER?
Make sure the computer is at least five feet away from the window. Computers do not have to leave the office. 

CAN I GO IN THE OFFICE DURING CONSTRUCTION?
For liability reasons, it is best not go into the office during construction period. I will send out an email when your area is safe to return.

We recognize these are difficult times to move forward with a renovation that impacts individual offices. We will do our best to help with any needs you may have to get this accomplished together. If you have any questions, let us know. Thank you, in advance, for your teamwork and cooperation with this renovation project.

Staff Council elections for Block 5 (all of NTID) have begun. Check your email for candidate information and a link to the Qualtrics survey to cast your vote!

Thank you to everyone who nominated an individual for NSS elections. Despite last month’s nominations, we have two spots available on our NTID Staff Senate. Nominations are due Friday, April 30, so you know of anyone who would be a great fit, go ahead and nominate a colleague today! 
Responsibilities of the position:

• Meet once a month for one hour.
• Minimal sub-committee work outside of meetings.
• Grow and learn more about our staff and the institution as a whole.

 Email NTIDStaffSenate@rit.edu with any questions.

Nominations are open for the 2021-2022 Outstanding Teaching Awards. The Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching is RIT’s highest honor for tenured faculty. The Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is given to the university’s most promising tenure-track faculty. A third award, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, honors lecturers or adjuncts who have demonstrated teaching excellence while at RIT. 

The qualifications for each award listed with the nomination forms. Nominations may be submitted online and must be received by Friday, May 7, 2021.

• To Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, chair of the NTID Advisory Group, who will receive NTID’s Distinguished Alumni Award during a virtual ceremony April 29. 
• To Sarah Sarchet, who received the Faculty Beacon Award from RIT’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
• To the following members of the NTID community who earned the Cultural Humility Certificate from RIT’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion:
  • Anayberca Camilo, senior staff assistant, NTID
  • Dominique Flagg, counselor and academic advisor, NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services
  • Kari Campos-Hamilton, senior staff assistant, NTID Center on Employment
  • Vicki Liggera, director, NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services
  • Christan Monin, senior staff assistant, NTID Diversity & Inclusion Office
  • Sarah Schneckenburger, interpreter, Interpreting Team for COS and CHST
  • Amy Stornello, director of Summer Vestibule Program, NTID First Year Experience
  • Veronika Talbott, assistant director, Department of ASL & Interpreting Education
  • Kelsey Wall, senior counselor and academic advisor, NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services
• To Melissa Skyer, who received the 2021 Warner Professional Practice Award for Region 1 by the Board of Directors of Epsilon Pi Tau. The annual recognition is awarded to professionals within the Epsilon Pi Tau honor society who have excelled in their field of science/technology. Region 1 includes the nations of Europe, the Eastern Provinces of Canada, and the Northeastern United States.
• To Luane Davis Haggerty, who received the 2021 Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award, and Thomas Warfield, who was awarded the 2020 Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award in a ceremony April 13.

• To Beth Noworatzky, who was selected to be a member of the Accessibility Advisory Panel for the Ford Foundation’s Office of Communications and Information Technology departments. Beth and four other members from the disability community will focus on user experiences and functionality of Ford Foundation’s website, or the foundation’s online platforms and applications.
• To Sunshine 2.0, who gave an inspiring performance of “The Star-spangled Banner,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “We Shall Overcome” as part of the Moving Forward spring event.

• Dr. D. Robert Frisina – founding director of NTID passed away on March 29. Read about his life and work here. A memorial service will be planned in the future.
• Jessica O. Sweeney, SVP ’97, ’08 NTID (Art & Computer Design), of Falmouth, Mass., passed away on April 6, 2021. https://www.capenews.net/falmouth/obituaries/in_loving_memory/jessica-o-sweeney/article_4a1567d6-3156-5ba9-b3f1-0cd4d0e1d888.html
• M. Richard Rose, president of RIT from 1979 to 1992, passed away April 10, 2021. More information is provided by Merritt Funeral Home in Brooksville, Fla.
• Ruth Fromm Lee passed away on April 16, 2021. Ruth worked in the Math Learning Center and retired in 1993. https://obits.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=ruth-fromm-lee&pid=198374572