Alan Hurwitz

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:

Recently answered questions:

  • (Posted July 15, 2008) - I'm still in high school and my dream has been to become an interpreter. I've had plenty of encouragement from family members and my deaf boyfriend, and I've decided to look into colleges. I'm not deaf or hard of hearing, but I want to know if this is the right college for me. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Finding the college that is the right fit for you is a very personal decision and should come after careful investigation. You have certainly started in a very good place. NTID's American Sign Language and Interpreting Education program is one of the best programs you'll find anywhere. The opportunity to interact with deaf people is unmatched as you will study in a college that enrolls more than 1,200 deaf and hard-of-hearing students annually.

    Our ASLIE program is flexible and meets a variety of needs. Our bachelor's degree provides students with specialized preparation to develop interpreting skills as well as practical experience and course work.

    NTID has the largest interpreter training program anywhere, and we would love to have you check our program. RIT holds open houses during the academic year for those interested in coming to RIT and want to learn more about our college before going through the application process. Or you can schedule a campus visit. Be sure to check the RIT Web site near the end of the summer for a complete schedule of open houses for the year. In the meantime, consider taking American Sign Language courses in high school or an area community college. It is important to begin formal instruction in ASL as early as possible.

    Good luck, and thank you for your interest in RIT/NTID.

  • (Posted July 1, 2008) If I want to go to NTID, would I have to start all over with courses since I have not been to school for 1 ½ years? How do I know if I would be accepted to NTID after I finish with courses that I need to take to refresh my memory? I don't know how much I can pay for the tuition at NTID. Thanks. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Thank you for your question. I'm happy to learn that you want to come to study here at RIT/NTID. You mention needing to "start all over with courses". You may be correct, but we really can't answer until you apply for admission and submit your high school and college transcripts. In the admissions decision process, those transcripts will be reviewed and faculty will make a decision on what courses you will still need to take as part of your chosen academic program, and what courses may be waived. The only way to know what courses will transfer, and whether or not you will be accepted to your chosen degree program is to apply for admission, and begin working with our Admissions Counselors who are happy and ready to assist you.

    RIT/NTID also has a wide array of financial support options designed to help make your education affordable. RIT/NTID is committed to ensuring that a quality education is within the financial reach of all of our students. NTID receives special federal support. Admitted deaf and hard-of-hearing students therefore pay about one-third of RIT's regular tuition rate. In addition to a significant tuition reduction, a variety of financial aid options are available, including scholarships, grants, loans, Vocational Rehabilitation support and Supplemental Security Income assistance. RIT's financial aid staff is ready to help you get all of the financial assistance you qualify for!

    I strongly recommend you contact the NTID Office of Admissions at NTIDAdmissions@rit.edu as soon as you can to learn which academic and financial options best meet your needs.

  • (Posted June 20, 2008) Do you have an RSS feed for this page? It would be a great addition to DeafRead, which two deaf RIT students run. It'd give NTID much visibility. :) See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    "Ask Alan" was created earlier this year to provide a forum for better communication. At this time, "Ask Alan" is only found here, on the RIT/NTID Web site. We hope you will check back regularly. And we hope while you're visiting this site, you'll find other things that interest you. We have taken your suggestion, however, and now provide an RSS feed for our "Video Extra" clips. Check them out.

  • (Posted June 3, 2008) My daughter, who got a cochlear implant four years ago, is now 8 and is finishing second grade. She’s doing well with some extra help from a teacher’s aide. Even though she’s got 10 years to go, I’m already worried about her college – and how to pay for it because I’m a single mom. Is there a list of scholarships available? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    I wish every parent was thinking that far ahead for their child’s education. It’s definitely not too early to be thinking about your options and to begin to plan accordingly. Even setting aside a small amount of money each month in a dedicated college fund would be a good start. There are an increasing number of scholarships offered now, mostly education and need based. And your state's Vocational Rehabilitation agency may provide assistance in some cases, depending where you live. Visit our admissions department's Web site for more information and scholarship opportunities.

  • (Posted May 21, 2008) Hello! I am writing to ask if you know of any good ASL Web sites that I could visit. I am a hearing high schooler, and I am teaching myself ASL, and would greatly appreciate you help. Thanks for your help, and respond if you have time. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Your timing is excellent. RIT/NTID has just released the ASL Video Dictionary and Inflection Guide for annual subscriptions. It features 2,700 signs and 650 sentences on video. A CD was produced in 2002 and is also available for sale. A one-year subscription is $39.99 and may be purchased online, or by calling (585) 475-6282 (voice/TTY). I’m pleased you are so motivated to learn ASL and I urge you to find additional ways to help you learn, including taking classes and finding native ASL users to speak with. Good luck!

  • (Posted May 14, 2008) I'm originally from Rochester and am now a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin. I'm enrolled in a course entitled, "Ability, Disability & Normalcy in Transcultural Perspectives." During my final project for this course, I learned that Morocco, the country I plan to do my doctoral research in, is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf. I would like to know if your program provides non-profit services for cochlear implants for children in Morocco. If not, could you suggest a non-profit organization that provides such services to children? I thank you kindly for your time. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    RIT/NTID has several cochlear implant specialists, but they only provide services to students, faculty and staff affiliated with the college. International non-profit CI services may be available through Listen-Up.org.

  • (Posted May 7, 2008) I would like to know whether business-related courses like B.Com., M.Com. or MBA are available for deaf students at NTID? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response: NTID offers students associate-level degrees as well as a Master's of Science Program in Secondary Education. However, hundreds of qualified NTID students routinely take courses at RIT towards bachelor's degrees or in RIT's graduate programs, including MBA programs. Deaf or hard-of-hearing students in RIT classes receive access services as needed, including interpreters, C-Print captionists or note takers.
  • (Posted April 22, 2008) I hope this doesn’t seem too trivial. A friend who is an RIT graduate student is going to be attending NTID with plans to eventually teach. I want to give her a gift that would be useful in her studies there or as a teacher. I am thinking in the $100 range. I appreciate your suggestions or a redirection to another source. Thank you so much. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    For this answer, I consulted with faculty members in NTID’s Master of Science Program in Secondary Education. They pretty much agree that many graduate students can use a hand with expenses for their books and school supplies. It may not be as personal as you’d like, but students would probably appreciate a gift card to our book store, which is operated by Barnes & Noble. Any Barnes & Noble gift card is accepted there for books, clothing and other school supplies. They may also pick out a frame for their diploma there. Another suggestion for student teachers working in a new city - they like to eat! Gift cards to restaurants are also welcomed by most students.

  • (Posted April 11, 2008) I'm deaf and will be graduating from a community college here in the Midwest next spring. Can I transfer to RIT with my associate's degree, or would I have to start all over at NTID? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Good question. RIT has agreements with many community colleges around the country, and it’s likely your credit can be applied to a four-year degree. If you desire access services, such as interpreting or note taking, those services are offered through NTID, but you don’t have to enroll in NTID classes. Approximately 500 of our 1,100 deaf or hard-of-hearing students attend RIT classes with hearing students.

  • (Posted April 2, 2008) I need your email, telephone number or any contact information where I can reach you. Our school is looking for a graduation speaker and I am recommending that you be considered. Regards. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response: Thank you for asking. My schedule is pretty full for the next several weeks but I try to find time to speak with students whenever possible. Please contact my office and my assistants will be happy to see what we can do. My mailing address is: RIT/NTID, 52 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623. My office phone is (585) 475-6317 V/TTY. Feel free to use the Ask Alan Website you used to contact me in the future.


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