ODS Newsletter September 2010

Welcome to all new members of the wonderful Class of 2014 as well as our illustrious visiting and transfer students. If you are receiving this monthly online newsletter, you have been included on our emailing list because you are either currently registered with ODS or have self-identified to us prior to coming to Barnard. We hope that all of you have had a wonderful summer and that you're energized and excited about your courses and plans for the fall term! As always, feel free to stop by 105 Hewitt on Mon-Fri from 10am-4:30pm for herbal tea — or on Tuesdays for a home-baked cookie!

Introducing Susan Linn, New ODS Assistant to the Director

We are pleased to welcome Susan L. to ODS and to Barnard, and hope that all of you will stop by in the coming weeks to introduce yourselves to her. Having started her new position on August 3, Susan L. is in the process of learning all about ODS (and our many forms!) — but she has taken the plunge and is doing a great job! Susan L. comes to Barnard with a degree in Political Science from Tufts University and a passion for higher education and working with young adults. Before joining the ODS team, she worked for a renewable energy company that developed, constructed and operated large-scale wind farms. She is hoping to pursue her Masters at the Teachers College. Being from the Connecticut coast, she loves the beach, and also enjoys kickboxing, reading and people watching. She shares her birthday with the USA, and is convinced the fireworks are all for her!

Calling all students to register with ODS or schedule a check-in

If you have not already done so, all new students should call Susan Linn @ 212/854-4634 to set up an ODS registration
appointment with either Okie Hrycak (all LD/ADD students) or Susan Quinby (all others). As we recommend at the beginning of each semester, all returning students should schedule a brief check-in meeting with either Okie or Susan Q. to discuss their FA'10 programs and
possible accommodations that might be needed. Even if you don't anticipate needing any accommodations, we'd like to see you for
a check-in which can then serve as a type of *insurance policy* should accommodations be requested at some later point in the semester.

Test Accommodations Forms (TAFS) due Friday 10/1: Don't Procrastinate!

If you anticipate needing any type of test accommodations (extended time; quiet space; large-print type; use of computer keyboard;
etc.) at any time during the FA'10 term, you must be registered with ODS and have TAFs on file in ODS (with appropriate and timely
signatures) no later than *Friday, October 1 @ 4pm. Please note that because of the large numbers of accommodation plans involved
— the deadline of 10/1 this term is firm and will *not* be extended. In addition, if your only accommodations are for a final exam —
you *must* also submit your TAFs by 10/1 as TAFs will no longer be accepted after this deadline. With program filing due by 9/17 — this gives all ODS students TWO WEEKS to get their TAFs completed and on file in 105 Hewitt. Congratulations and thanks to those students
who have already turned in your forms (you know who you are) and please start this process immediately for those of you (you know
who you are) who have not yet begun the process.

Accommodative Aides Needed

As many of you know, at the beginning of each semester we publish the Accommodative Aide Directory which is a type of *ODS Craig's List* of listings of students (both volunteer and paid) who are interested in working on a 1-1 basis with students with disabilities. Students are needed in the following aide categories: mobility aides; personal aides; readers; typists; proofreaders; and tutors in all areas. Hours and time commitments are quite flexible — as once the Directory is published, ODS students who need aides will use the Directory to contact aides directly. We may be looking for a new office assistant (hours flexible) — so if you are interested in serving as either an accommodative aide or as an ODS student assistant, please stop by ODS now to complete an Accommodative Aide Directory Form.

Life Safety Information Cards (LSIC)

If you have a disability and anticipate needing any type of assistance during a life safety emergency (e.g. unable to hear alarm; unable to evacuate stairs independently; etc.), please stop by ODS *asap* to complete an LSIC for the FA'10 term. If you have completed an LSIC in the past and have now moved, please complete a new LSIC for the FA'10 term. If you are not sure whether you should complete an LSIC, please call us *asap* so we can talk about your options. Please remember that when your life safety is involved, it is crucial to take responsibility, plan ahead and be proactive!

WFIR (Writing Fellows in Residence) Begins: Week of September 27

We are delighted to announce that once again, the Writing Center (Directed by Pam Cobrin and located in 18 Milbank) and ODS are sponsoring a dedicated writing fellows program in which writing fellows will be available in ODS for the exclusive use of ODS students. WFIR hours will be emailed to all ODS students shortly.

ODS students may work with a WFIR by appointment, on a drop-in basis, or you may schedule a weekly meeting on a regular/continuing basis. For further info, please contact Okie or Susan L. in ODS or call us @ 4/4634.

Marsteller Internship Program

Once again, we are delighted to invite all ODS students to apply for a Marsteller Internship grant for this fall. The deadline for all online applications is this Monday, September 20 at 4pm — and application info is available on the Office of Career Development (OCD) website. Please note that there will be two additional Marsteller grant funding cycles for spring and summer 2011. For further info, please call ODS at 4/4634 or OCD at 4/2033.