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 Nov. 6, 2008) I was trying to find out if you have an on-line bookstore where I could purchase items for my granddaughter without her knowledge. Thank you. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    The new Barnes & Noble at RIT opened this summer and is the main source for textbooks, spirit clothing and gifts for RIT/NTID students. Individual items may be purchased on-line or you may purchase a gift card at any Barnes & Noble store which can be used here. The store’s phone number is (585) 475-2501 if you have questions. I’m sure your granddaughter will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

  • (Posted Oct. 16, 2008) Could you please tell me where I can obtain training materials for people who are deaf in the area of employability skills? For example, job interviewing techniques, how to find a job, how to keep it, work habits, etc. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    If you are seeking training materials related to conducting a job search, the NTID Center on Education Web site has a "Tips for finding a Job" section that provides short articles that explain what an individual needs to know for each step in the job search process. This section covers information on various correspondence used in the job search process - including resume writing, cover letters, e-mail etiquette - as well as strategies to use in the job search, the interview and job negotiation.

    If you are interested in training materials to promote deaf awareness in the workplace, the NCE provides a 2 1/2-hour workshop called "Working Together: Deaf and Hearing People." It is an interactive, experiential workshop that fosters the sensitivity and skills for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing colleagues to work together successfully, leading to increased productivity for all. This workshop is for supervisors and co-workers, human resources personnel and equal employment opportunity and affirmative action professionals.

    To inquire about on-site workshops, or tailoring training to your organization's needs, contact Karen Downs at: kmdnce@rit.edu, (585) 475-6483 (V/VP) or (585) 475-7570 (Fax).

  • (Posted Sept. 30, 2008) Hi. My name is Humberto and I am using my teacher's email address. I am currently in high school and expect to graduate in 3 years. My questions are: does NTID have different sports teams and do they offer scholarships for playing sports? Do the dorms have fire alarms and alarm clocks for the deaf? Have there ever been alarms going off during classes? Have there been any fights/shootings that security has to respond to? Who needs to be informed? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Hello Humberto and thank you for contacting me. I’m pleased you are looking forward to your college experience even though you still have three years of high school. NTID is one of the colleges at Rochester Institute of Technology, which has many, many sports teams, including our Division I men’s ice hockey team.  Several NTID students are on the teams, including crew, cross country, basketball, men and women’s soccer and women’s soccer. Sports scholarships are not given at RIT, but we have many financial aid options available for students who demonstrate a financial need.

    Regarding our alarm systems: All of our residences for deaf and hard-of-hearing students are equipped with strobe alarms, including fire alarms. I’m sure some have gone off during class time over the years, but it is rare. RIT has a Public Safety department which helps keep everyone safe, and we can rely on neighboring police agencies including the sheriff’s department or state police if there should ever be a major incident and we needed their help. Our Public Safety officers are trained to know basic sign language. Ryan Hicks, an RIT/NTID graduate fluent in sign language, is a senior officer for the department. I’m not sure where you live, but I hope you get to visit our campus in the next year or two to help you decide where you’d like to attend college.

  • (Posted Sept. 17, 2008) A local restaurant manager recently told me that he wished to make his restaurant more deaf/hard-of-hearing friendly and he wondered if NTID might have someone that could meet with him and possibly some of his staff members to discuss this. Do we have a community relations area or individual that responds to requests like this? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    I would encourage the restaurant manager to contact Dean DeRusso, the Deaf Systems Advocate at the Regional Center for Independent Living. He is willing to meet and discuss how a business can be more deaf/hard-of-hearing friendly. Dean can be reached at dderusso@rcil.org.

  • (Posted Sept. 12, 2008) Does NTID have my major for Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)? Would you be able to assist me in finding a CDI training workshop in California? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    There continues to be a demand for ASL interpreters as well as CDIs. NTID has increased the number of students in our ASL interpreting program. But we don’t have the resources at this time to begin a CDI program. However, this is something we will keep considering. To find places offering CDI training, I suggest contacting the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

  • (Posted Sept. 3, 2008) The NTID Alumni Community would like to hear your reaction to the theft of the laptop that was stolen. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    My reaction can be found on the RIT and NTID news sites, here.

  • (Posted Aug. 19, 2008) I want to know if you provide substance abuse treatment for deaf people - adolescents, adults or the elderly. I am a substance abuse counselor and I want to know if I can make some referrals to your program. Thanks. See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf (SAISD), a program of NTID, provides prevention, education, intervention and referral services. SAISD does not provide treatment services, but we do meet with students and community individuals to determine if they need a referral to a treatment program.

    The SAISD staff is always pleased to act as a consult to faculty, staff and student organizations regarding problems with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs for the deaf and hard-of-hearing population. Approximately 55 percent of our referrals are on campus, and 45 percent are for deaf individuals from the greater Rochester community. SAISD can be reached at (585) 475-4978 V/TTY.

  • (Posted Aug. 5, 2008) I am an education graduate from Canada and my partner and I are doing a project on resources and Web sites that are or could be useful tools for those who are deaf or hard of hearing to use. Could you please list your top three reasons why one should attend your institute opposed to others in the area? Lastly, could you list one potential downfall of attending your institute that caters to those who are deaf or hard of hearing? See Alan's answer
    Alan's response:

    NTID’s Web site has proven to be a popular resource, with tens of thousands of visitors each month. There is information for prospective students as well as prospective employers, parents and alumni. Current students and our research projects are profiled. News stories are also regularly found on our Web site. I trust you will find it useful and save it as one of your favorites!

    Reasons to come to RIT/NTID: education should be the most important consequence of any college experience. Our students are taught in the communication method they are most comfortable using, whether it is sign language, spoken language, or with live captions and note takers. Our support services are unequaled, anywhere! Graduates of RIT/NTID are well respected – employers know that our students have used the most cutting-edge technology in their classes. Employment rates for graduating students over the past five years is more than 93 percent. And the social life for deaf and hard-of-hearing students is not found on any other college campus. Our 1,200+ students with hearing loss live, study and can socialize with more than 14,000 hearing students on campus.

    A potential downfall is attending a school where there are so many possibilities – sports, fraternities, theater, clubs – it can be difficult to find the time to do everything you’d like to be involved with.

  • (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.



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