Student Handbook, Policies & Events

Student Handbook for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Our faculty extend a strong and warm welcome to new students who will enjoy a unique undergraduate pre-professional experience. We are always delighted to see new students enroll in our university, and, particularly in our department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).

Curricula and Careers

The CSD programs concentrate on issues related to understanding and improving the circumstances for those individuals who have communication disorders. At IPFW, the degree which our students will likely be seeking is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy. Our graduates will be well oriented toward pursuing careers as speech-language pathologists (SLP) or audiologists (A).

Using Technology Resources

All students should take full advantage of the computing resources available on campus. Any currently enrolled IPFW student may activate his or her technology account with the online account management wizard or by contacting the Information Technology Services Help Desk located in Kettler Hall room 205. In the spring 2007 semester, Studio M opened. The facility features a staffed multimedia studio for creating rich, multimedia presentations.

Meeting with Our Faculty

Each faculty member will post office hours on his or her door at the beginning of each semester. Office hours convey times for students to interact with our knowledgeable faculty, ask questions, and have discussions about course material and the fields of audiology and speech pathology. Many of our faculty members are available by appointment if posted office hours do not coordinate with a given student's schedule. In the event of rare, unavoidable circumstances, a professor may not be available as scheduled. In such event, our administrative assistant will be able to assist with rescheduling appointments.

The CSD Speech Science Laboratory and Clinic Laboratory

The CSD Speech Science Laboratory is situated in Neff Hall 274 and the Clinic Laboratory is in Neff 239K. Students enrolled in CSD 302, Acoustic Bases of Speech and Hearing, CSD 405, Computers in Speech Pathology and CSD 549, Clinical Practicum have first priority to the computers for class and clinic projects and report preparation. Computers in the library are otherwise available to all CSD majors. Equipment is for use by trained students, faculty, and staff only. It is always best to ask for assistance when uncertain about using available equipment.

The laboratory resources are provided to enhance the learning experiences of students. Usage guidelines must be followed by all.

Guidelines for Computer Users

Both the Donewald Library and the CSD Clinic adopts and adheres to all of the computer use guidelines of the IPFW Student Handbook.

Donewald Library Policies

The CSD Library and Speech Science Lab are situated in Neff Hall room 274. CSD majors are welcome to use the resources of the library during hours when the departmental office is open.

Books and journals (not bound) may be checked out on an honor system. Bound journals may only  be used in the library. When removing a book, patrons are instructed to locate the sign-out card inside the back cover. The card should be removed and signed with the borrower's name and the date. Please make your name legible.  The check out procedure is to file the card in the check out box (located to the right of the bookcases on a small table). All materials have a two week loan limit. Books are returned by placing them in the large box next to the file box which contains the patron's signed card. Please remove the card for your borrowed material, cross off your name and put the card inside the pocket of the material.  The student assistant will re-shelve all items as needed.  Additional policies are as follows:

• Students will be responsible for all borrowed materials.
• The lending period will be two weeks, except for faculty who may check out items on a semester basis.
• There will be no recalls during the first checkout period, unless a current student or faculty member requests an item held by an alumni or speech-language or audiology professional.
• One renewal is allowed for all students if the item does not have a hold on it for another student.
• Phone renewals are not accepted.
• There is no limit on the number of items borrowed, unless complications arise.
• Bound periodicals/journals may not be checked out. Unbound journals may circulate for the same period as other items, which can be checked out. Current journals to be bound are kept on top of the file cabinet behind the desk.  These items may not be checked out, but they can be used until the time to send them for binding.
• Reference works may not be checked out.
• Reserve materials will have a two-hour or overnight borrowing limit decided by each instructor. These are subject to immediate recall.

CSD Clinic Policies

Professionalism and confidentiality is expected at all times of student clinicians. Refer studiously to the following links as well as the content below.

• Clinical Dress Code
• Confidentiality

Use of Clinic Facilities

The materials and equipment are provided for related coursework and clinic practicum needs only. Students should use the materials and equipment with care. In the event that equipment or items are missing from the assigned cabinets or file drawers, please notify the clinic director or the department secretary immediately.

Clinic equipment and computer programs/disks are for use in the clinic areas only. Removal of any equipment, for any reason, without prior permission from a member of the department's faculty is prohibited. When using the equipment in the clinic area, students should ensure that master switches to the equipment are on. (Knowing how to use the equipment properly before beginning will save time and prevent accidental damage.) When finished, students should be sure to turn off the equipment and turn off the master switch.

The work areas should be kept neat and clean at all times.

Borrowing Clinic Materials

When borrowing materials, students should always remove the loan card in the back of the item and place it in the file box on the top of the file cabinet located in Neff Hall 239K. Materials should be returned promptly (within 1-3 days) as other students will often require use of the same items. During clinical practicum, the clinic director must approve all material and equipment loans. When returning materials, students must check in items by locating the card in the file, crossing off his or her name, placing the card back in the item and then returning the item to the designated tray on top of the file cabinet. A student worker will re-shelve items as needed.

Prior to observation(s), all students need to consult the clinic director and or the clinical supervisor for the client to be observed.  Since confidentiality must be respected for both the client and the student clinician, the clinic supervisor/director must always grant permission for observation in advance. Students are asked to sign confidentiality forms they are given at their academic advising appointments to ensure each knows what behavior is expected of them.   All paperwork must be signed by the observing student and filed in the observing student’s folder before a session begins.  While observing, students should be careful not to react or interact in any way with clients and/or caregivers.

Observing Client Sessions

Confidentiality

Prior to observation(s), all students need to consult the department's secretary to request appropriate confidentiality forms. All paperwork must be signed by the observing student and filed by the secretary before a session begins.

Since confidentiality must be respected for both the client and the student clinician, the clinic supervisor/director must always grant permission for observation in advance. While observing, students should be careful not to react or interact in any way with clients and/or caregivers.

Attire

Dress reflects professionalism. Dress code for observation days is classified as "business casual." Examples of business casual may include clothing such as clean slacks, sweaters, collared or polo shirts and other items. Observers should not wear jeans, sweatshirts, sweat pants, sandals or open toed shoes, or any clothing that is inappropriate in a professional work environment. Attire that is deemed inappropriate may exclude a student from observing a client session.  For more information see Clinical Dress Code.

Clinical Practicum Experience

Clinical practicum is strongly recommended for all students who are planning to continue their education to earn a masters degree in either speech-language pathology or audiology. ASHA requires 25 supervised observation hours prior to beginning clinical practicum. The observation hours are earned while enrolled in CSD 449: Introduction to Clinical Practicum.

Liability Insurance

Prior to enrolling in the clinical practicum course (CSD 549), each student is required to purchase liability insurance from the Bursar's office in the ground floor of Kettler Hall. CSD students are eligible to participate in IPFW's student liability insurance for a reduced rate. The insurance fee has been approximately $15 for the semester. Details about the time to purchase the insurance will be given in the CSD 449 course.

Medical Screening

Prior to enrolling in the clinical practicum course, each student is required to get the MANTOUX-TB screen and acquire a criminal background check. TB screens are available at the beginning of the fall semester from the IPFW Wellness Clinic. A nominal fee is required.

Typically, each student enrolled in CSD 549 will be assigned one client to evaluate and will enjoy the freedom to plan an intervention program. A clinical supervisor will be assigned to each student for assisting the intervention process. Therapy is usually provided two times each week for approximately 15 weeks. In addition to providing therapy and attending a class session one time each week, the evaluating student will meet weekly with his or her clinical supervisor. Students are expected to analyze and critique their clinical skill development by viewing videotapes of their clinical sessions. All students and clients sign permission forms for use of videotapes and/or audiotapes in other CSD courses. Student clinician confidentiality is respected at all times.

Annual Events

Fall Semester

August

• Student-Faculty orientation meeting

September

• Graduate school application seminar

October

• IPFW Honors Convocation for those on Dean's list
• Registration for spring semester courses
• AAC camp

November

• Registration for spring semester courses

NOTE: It is of great importance for students to register as soon as possible to guarantee desired course scheduling. CSD students are notified via email of priority registration deadlines before course registration begins.

Spring Semester

February

• Applications due for departmental scholarships. Notices will be placed on the bulletin board in the hallway outside of the office and also on the department Web site's home page.

March

• Registration for summer and fall semesters. Hindering course restrictions that require instructor or advisor overrides should be resolved promptly.

April

• CSD Student Research Forum—Participants are those students who are completing an independent study project for the current semester. Attendees are those who wish to support their peers' efforts and who may be thinking of applying to accomplish such a project in the future. Faculty offer project ideas at this session.
• IPFW School of Arts and Sciences Honors Banquet—Invited students are those who receive departmental scholarships and other awards. The invitation is extended by the Dean. Recipients are expected to attend. Guests are welcomed to purchase a ticket to attend.

Resources

Specific reference tools are available in our main office, Neff Hall 279, including:

• IPFW Facts
• CSD newsletters
• Class schedules for registration

Amenities

The Speech-Language-Hearing Club has made available a small refrigerator and a microwave for student use in Neff Hall 239. We invite you to explore our site and use our campus resources with consideration for others.