Notetaking Policies

Students whose disability limitations include hearing loss or deafness, coordination/motor limitations, and some types of psychological or learning disabilities, may be eligible for notetaking services; however, the service is not automatic for any student. Each student must request notetaking services for each semester, which will be provided upon approval of a Disability Resources counselor.

Note Taking Procedures
1. To obtain a notetaker, the student fills out a Request for Notetaking Services form and returns it to his or her DR counselor for approval. After a discussion concerning the need, the DR counselor will make notetaker placement decisions.

2. If the request is approved, a letter is sent to the professor requesting that he/she announce the need for a volunteer in that class.

3. Students who need notetakers are encouraged to seek out other students whom they believe take good and complete notes. These notetakers need to register with DR in order to qualify for the gift certificate.

4. Students receiving notetaking services are required to read the Student Notes Module. Then they complete the receipt form and return it to the counselor.

5. The requesting student will be provided the name, phone number and email address of the volunteer notetaker. S/he must contact the volunteer and arrange to meet. No notes will be provided until this meeting has taken place.

6. Students must attend each class session and let the notetaker know they are in class in order to get the notes. Notes will not be provided to students who are absent from class (except in very rare situations when the absence has been previously approved through the DR counselor).

7. Students must take their own notes to the best of their ability. Studies show that taking even just a few notes is better than just listening. Taping lectures to listen again can fill in missing information as well.

8. Notetakers only takes notes. They are not expected to act as tutors or to explain course information. Each student must ask questions or get more information from the instructor if the course material is unclear, and not rely on the notetaker to ask questions for them.

9. Communication between volunteer notetaker and recipient is important for the smooth functioning of the program. Notetakers need to be informed as to how the notes are working. The recipient should feel free to make suggestions that will help.

10. Either student should contact the Notetaking Coordinator immediately if:

a. Any situation arises that students can't work out.
b. A notetaker is no longer needed.
c. Either party drops the course.
d. Either party is having a problem getting a response from the other
e. Either party is frequently tardy or absent.
f. Either party has questions about policies or procedures.

11.Notes will be made available electronically by e-mailing students in a pdf format.

12. Notes may be delivered by the notetaker to DR from 8:00-4:30, M-F. All notes will be copied and made available electronically by 4:45 p.m. of the day they are received.

Wednesday, 06-Aug-2008 15:14:37 CDT