catalog 05-06.indd - Undergraduate Admissions - Gallaudet University

Enrollment InformationOrientation ProgramsOrientation ProgramsEly Center, Room 103Every college journey begins with the first step of arrivingon campus. This Student Affairs unit coordinates NewStudent Orientation (NSO) programs for all new students. ANew Signers Program is encouraged for new students withlittle or no sign language skills. Family members are invitedto attend Family Orientation for a nominal fee.New Student Orientation (NSO)New Student Orientation is a required program for all newstudents enrolling at Gallaudet University for the first time.This includes freshmen, transfer students, visiting students,and international students. During NSO, new students meettheir academic advisors, register for classes, learn aboutacademic expectations, Gallaudet’s history and traditions,campus policies, and participate in social activities. Englishand mathematics placement tests are offered to determineappropriate course placement. New students who have ACTscores of 19 or above in the English and Reading Subtestsare not required to take the English placement test. All newstudents must take the mathematics placement tests.Through Discovery).Family Orientation ProgramThe Family Orientation Program is designed to helpstudents and their families learn about Gallaudet togetherand ease the transition from family to university life. TwoFamily Orientation Programs are offered, one in July duringthe New Signers Program and one in August during the NewStudent Orientation. During these orientations, families learnabout the University’s programs and services, especially inrelation to their student’s life on campus, academic progress,and resources available. Among the most popular workshopsis a panel of current students who share their experiences andperceptions of college life.Program Cost/RegistrationThere is a $10 registration fee per family member, whichincludes meals at the University Dining Hall. Program informationand registration procedures are sent to families in amailing separate from that sent to new students.International StudentsInternational students for the fall semester participate in athree-day orientation in addition to NSO.Visiting StudentsVisiting students from other universities also participatein a three-day orientation, and should have registered forcourses prior to arrival. The Admissions Office contacts visitingstudents to assist in course selection for the semester.Special StudentsStudents with visual, mobility, learning, or other specialneeds should submit disability documentation as early aspossible directly to the Office of Students with Disabilities(OSWD). OSWD staff will help to accommodate studentswith special needs during NSO and throughout their collegeyears.Program CostsAll NSO participants pay a non-refundable $50 fee thatcovers program materials and activities. No additional roomand board fees are charged for the week of NSO.New Signers Program (NSP)The New Signers Program offers freshmen and transferstudents a four-week immersion program in American SignLanguage. The NSP aims to teach new students basic signingskills by the beginning of fall classes to help them communicatewith other Gallaudet students, staff, and facultyand make the best use of campus services. During NSP, newstudents attend concentrated instruction in sign classes thatprovide information about Gallaudet’s history and traditions,deaf awareness, Deaf culture, the history of the education ofdeaf people, and related topics. In addition to sign classes,students participate in Learning Through Discovery, anadventure-based outdoor activities course that focuses ondeveloping teamwork, decision-making, and conflict resolutionskills. Upon successful completion of the program, NSPstudents receive three credit hours for ASL 101 (AmericanSign Language) and one credit hour for PED 222 (Learning16