From the NTID President's Office

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law March 11 by President Biden, provides additional relief and resources to Americans and the economy in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The bill also provides an additional $19.25M in funds, to remain available through Sept. 30, 2023, for NTID to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus, and to provide financial aid grants to students. We are grateful to Congress and President Biden for this additional support, as well as grateful for all of your hard work this past year, which has been recognized by this additional investment in us by Congress. We are consulting with the Department of Education on how these funds can be used to help our students and will share more information in the weeks ahead.

We are pleased to report on progress we are making on a number of the action steps outlined in NTID’s Antiracism and Social Justice Plan.

• Dr. Joseph Hill has been appointed to NTID’s ALANA faculty recruitment and retention position.
• As a component of our effort to stimulate faculty and student research into social justice issues within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, we have submitted a grant proposal for an Antiracism Research and Development Fund.
• Related to our commitment to create culturally responsive first-year academic programming that provides skills and strategies to improve student persistence, we have added antiracism-focused material to the curriculum for Freshman Seminar for fall 2021, in addition to diversity and inclusion curriculum-related efforts already in progress.
  • Also, all Freshman Seminar instructors will take antiracism workshops over the next five months before the fall semester begins to ensure they are adequately trained in the work to host dialogue and activities during class.
  • Taj Smith, RIT director of diversity and inclusion education, will host a workshop to familiarize staff with the framework to be used in the curriculum.
• Our plan calls for establishment of a mentoring program that engages alumni to provide career guidance to students, and we have developed a proposal for a pilot mentoring program and posted a vlog to recruit students for the pilot cohort. We have identified 15 alumni of various backgrounds who have expressed interest in or been recommended to be part of this effort.
• With regard to mental health support for ALANA students, we have implemented the following programs and initiatives:
  • Students in Distress: Interventions and Campus Resources-Mental Health
  • Black Mental Health Matters Discussion with CaPS therapists
  • Positive Self-affirmations for when Black bodies forget that they matter
  • BIPOC + Deaf/HoH: Self-care tips
  • Black Lives Matter in Group Therapy Too
  • Creating a Self-Care Playlist-Black Minds Matter
  • Talking to Family About Mental Health
  • Affirmations at the Intersection
  • Real Talk Special Edition: Let’s talk Mental Health
• In recent weeks, the Dyer Arts Center has:
  •  Published two Black is Black: BlackityAF exhibitions and has two more planned for September 2021
  • Facilitated discussions about Black Deaf Arts in five different forums
  • Hosted a virtual collage workshop led by Takiyah Harris
• NTID faculty, staff, and administrators have participated in a variety of training sessions:
  • NAC members participated in anti-bias training
  • NAC members and many NTID faculty and staff participated in the 21 Day Race and Equity Challenge program
  • Dr. Alesia Allen and Rachel Green presented parts one and two of a multipart 21 Day Challenge Reflection series. Part three is scheduled for March 19.
  • NTID hosted a presentation on minority tax.
• We have expanded the number of fellowships in the NTID Faculty Program for Academia to six. We also have developed a new organizational structure and recruitment and application process, and development of a professional development series is underway.
• Work that’s on the horizon for April:
  • Randleman Program expansion and endowment
  • Posting and beginning search for a new ALANA staff recruitment and retention position
  • MSSE scholarships (four awards for fall 2020 cohort)
  • ASLIE scholarships (will finalize eligibility in April, first awards in fall 2021)

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has conducted a series of interviews with members of our community called “Diversity Spotlight.” View the archive here.

Dr. Munson has asked members of the RIT community to examine this draft of the RIT Action Plan for Race & Ethnicity and provide feedback through April 2, 2021, by sending an email to diversity@rit.edu. In your email, please designate the pillar to which your feedback/recommendation relates. Your feedback will assist in shaping the final plan. Meanwhile, RIT is charting a path for implementation of some initiatives and expects them to be included as recommendations in the final report.

RIT/NTID faculty, staff and students are invited to register for a presentation by voter suppression expert Carol Anderson 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Thursday, April 8. Additional breakout sessions with Anderson are scheduled at 1 p.m. for students and 2 p.m. for faculty and staff. The first 100 people to sign up for either session will receive a copy of Anderson’s book “One Person, No Vote.” A special performance by Sunshine 2.0 will open the event. To register, visit the Moving Forward: Suffrage Past, Present, and Future website.

NTID is in a position to explore various types of training programs for our students, alumni, and the Deaf community. Training programs may consist of apprenticeships, certificates, and on-the-job training. Many companies are looking for specific skill sets to meet their business needs, and our goal is to offer training programs that will prepare students, alumni and the Deaf community for these employment opportunities.

Dr. Dino Laury will be project team leader on this initiative, and will step down as the chair of the Engineering Studies Department to take on this full-time leadership role. Special thanks to Dino for his 13 years of service as department chair of Engineering Studies. We will be conducting a national search for a new chairperson for the Engineering Studies department beginning this semester. In the meantime, if you have suggestions for training programs that should be explored, contact Dino.  

The ODAR is hosting a PI Prime Time* Special Presentation titled “You're Not Neutral: Embracing Race Conscious Research Practices” with Dr. Lissa D. Ramirez-Stapeleton, 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021, via Zoom. Ramirez-Stapleton is an associate professor at California State University Northridge in the Department of Deaf Studies and core faculty for the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. Her research focuses on equity and access, identity development, and the educational history of Deaf students, faculty, and staff with a particular interest in the intersections of race, gender, and disability. She is professionally involved with the Association for the Study of Higher Education and active within the National Black Deaf Advocates organization. For more information visit her website: www.drlissad.com.

This interactive workshop provides a space to reflect on the impact of race neutral research practices and the ways in which racism and cultural erasure negatively influence the good work we are trying to do. Through pre-readings, self-reflection, and small group dialogues, participants will reflect and unpack their own socialization around race, investigate how race has influenced their own research practices, and gain helpful tips on how to center, value, and embrace race from the initial research idea to publication.

Register by April 5. Upon registration, you will see a series of questions Dr. Ramirez-Stapleton has requested registrants complete. This workshop is offered to all NTID faculty and staff.

Register for You're Not Neutral: Embracing Race Conscious Research Practices

If you are considering submitting a virtual exhibit for this year’s Imagine RIT, you are not limited to a video submission. You can provide image files, documents, PowerPoints, or a website link when submitting a proposal. All content should be uploaded through the proposal system by April 16. Video submissions remain due by March 22. For additional information, visit the FAQs page or contact imagine@rit.edu or Nancy Popolizio.

Malika Freeman – Deaf Artist
A 60-Minute Conversation with co-curator Felicia Williams
Is graffiti vandalism or art? Do you know what graffiti actually represents? Join Malika Freeman and Felicia Williams for a virtual ASL conversation on the title, “Graffiti ≠ Vandalism" 7 p.m. Friday, March 26. Additional information will be announced closer to the event date.
 

Current:
The restrooms project for the east side of LBJ is approximately 40% completed.

Future:

1. LBJ First Floor Four Classrooms Project – The project will begin approximately March 29. 
2. LBJ Windows Project – The project will begin May 5. See below for instructions for those who have window offices/labs. This information contains changes from the previous message.
    

Upcoming LBJ Windows Replacement Project (UPDATED INFORMATION)
Replacement will impact faculty and staff in LBJ Hall who have window offices facing East (L-Lot), West (RIT campus) and South (Frisina Quad), and those with windows on the third floor that face the rooftop. The contractor will begin the west side starting May 5, and more information on additional start dates will be announced.

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, they will go in 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 will need. Please ask now and not at the last minute. Chris will drop off boxes in your office suite near your staff assistant’s workstation on March 15. All of your furniture and possessions will remain in your office throughout the construction project. The room needs to be prepared for the project by April 30, 2021.

WHERE DO I WORK IF MY OFFICE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
The majority of you will be working from home. For those who are in the office, please work with your supervisor to make arrangements. FMS does not have relocation space, so we are asking for flexibility.

WHAT IF I CANNOT MOVE THE FURNITURE MYSELF?
If you cannot move the furniture pieces, 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?
Contact Chris or Sharon immediately if you cannot pack, and the moving company will assist with the packing. While this is not the best scenario and timing, it is best to roll forward with the project. 

WHAT ABOUT MY COMPUTER?
Please contact the NTID Service Desk to arrange for relocating computer equipment.

We recognize these are difficult times to move forward with a renovation that impacts individual offices. Fortunately, we have a few weeks before the offices need to be readied, so you can take care of it at a time when you can maintain physical distancing over the next month. 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.

A virtual FutureQuest event was held March 2 for Kentucky. An Illinois event is scheduled for March 31.

Career Exploration Series events are as follows:
March 10: STEM and Maker Spaces with Shireen Hafeez
April 7: 1 p.m. (school session) & 7 p.m. (student session) – Where Does Bacteria Live? with Reena Banerjee  
April 28: 1 p.m. (school session) & 7 p.m. (student session) – Chemistry with  Viet Le                                          

Outreach is recruiting high school students for this summer’s virtual Explore Your Future program, and registrations are coming in.

Spring 2021 virtual Math Competition registration is ongoing. 

The Visual Arts program has 38 students, and the Spirit Writing program has 12 students. Both programs are virtual this year and are not set up as competitions as in the past. 

Our Virtual Science Fair’s Rube Goldberg Competition will begin March 29 and runs for three weeks.

RIT’s 2021 United Way Campaign is underway through the end of March, and, as President Munson said, this year our community has reached a critical level of need. RIT’s theme is Community + Passion = Compassion, and I urge you to consider showing your compassion for your community through a donation, if you are able to do so. I would like to thank the 20+ NTID Key Captains who are supporting the campaign and keeping us all updated on our goal of raising $314,159 (Pi) for the Greater Rochester community. Please reach out to them for more information and make your donation today.

Rochester Regional Health, in partnership with RIT/NTID, Partners in Deaf Health and Rochester School for the Deaf have scheduled a deaf community presentation on COVID-19 vaccines 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92992518892 or 1-786-635-1003, webinar ID: 929 9251 8892. Guest presenters IV Mirus, MD; Jason M. Rotoli, MD; and Shazia Siddiqi, MD, MPH, from Partners in Deaf Health will sign the presentation in ASL.

Nominations are open for Staff Council Block 5.

Staff Council is seeking nominations for Block 5 (NTID) representatives to serve a two-year term. Please submit your nomination by Wednesday, March 17.

Thank you for all who attended our open meeting with the Ombuds Office. We hope you enjoyed it. We enjoyed it so much we already have another open meeting scheduled—this time with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The meeting is 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, on Zoom, ID 553 680 8090.

NSS has elections this spring for exempt staff. Nominations are open until March 22 with elections to follow as necessary. Submit your nominations today. Contact Reena Banerjee and Sarah Schneckenberger at NTIDStaffSenate@rit.edu with any questions.

RIT’s Relay For Life event will take place April 8, 9, and 10, through @rit_acsoc on Twitch, a website that allows us to live-stream events. Each night’s ceremony will be dedicated to celebrating those who have won the battle, remembering those we have lost, and fighting back, together, for a world without cancer. Leading up to the live-streamed event, we will host a virtual silent auction April 1-10.

Relay For Life is a national event that supports the American Cancer Society. Our fundraising efforts support cancer research, patient advocacy programs, cancer education, and more. We hope you will join us in the fight against cancer. Together, we will finish this fight! To learn more about our event and to create a team, check out this link:  RITrelay.org or contact Megan Germansky.
 

If a member of the media contacts NTID faculty, staff or students, please let Suzi Murad know, and she will work with you and the reporter on the details and follow up.

Changes to individual RIT Directory entries can be made by visiting start.rit.edu. Most sections are self-serve, while others must be updated by emailing Matt Dana, Suzi Murad or Ilene Avallone.

• To Rain Bosworth and Adam Stone, whose research on eye gaze in children was recently published: Bosworth, R.G. and Stone, A. (2021), Rapid Development of Perceptual Gaze Control in Hearing Native Signing Infants and Children. Developmental Science. Accepted Author Manuscript e13086. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13086. See a video explaining the research.
• To the team of researchers who had “Sign Language Incorporation in Chemistry Education (SLICE): Building a Lexicon to Support the Understanding of Organic Chemistry” published in ACS Publications. Christina Goudreau Collison, professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science; Jennifer Swartzenberg, lecturer at NTID; Kaitlyn Clark ’20 (chemistry), ’21 MS (chemistry); Asma Sheikh ’20 (biomedical sciences); Cody Cummings ’20 (chemistry); Ashley Gleason ’20 (biomedical sciences); Jonathan Dominguez ’20 (biomedical sciences), a graduate student studying chemistry; and Michelle Mailhot ’20 (biotechnology) co-authored the article.
• To Brienna Herold, who has been named a 2021 Google Lime Scholar. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected by Google Scientists/Engineers/Artificial Intelligence specialists and provides supplemental funding that can be used to support Brianna’s research as a PhD student in Computing and Information Sciences.  
• To the following NTID-supported students who are being recognized as RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholars:
  • GCCIS: Breanna Bilich (computer science); Alexandria Rosenbach (game design & development)
  • SOIS: Truc Nguyen (applied arts & sciences)
  • NTID: Amanda Gilmore, Nadia Gunderson, Kira Hart (ASL-English Interpretation)

• Warner Horton Strong passed away on February 26, 2021. He worked at NTID until his retirement in 1997. https://waynetimes.com/obituaries/strong-warner-horton/
• We were informed by Julie Cammeron that Susan Keenan, retired faculty in the Department of Liberal Studies, passed away March 3, 2021. We will share an obituary when it is published.
• William J. Brown, Jr., ’73 Engineering (Engineering Technology) passed away on March 13 2021. Bill was a member of NTID’s pioneer class. https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/253353