Meeting & Agendas

Have begun requiring students to maintain portfolios as part of their Internship curriculum (must be done before graduation). Video would contain student’s best work to be used for resume, and presenting to employers.

ACC grads have not been up to par in educational interpreting settings. Students need more/better experience in varied educational areas (i.e., calculus, etc.). John A. is doing a workshop on computers. Julie already places 'veteran' interpreters with new interpreters so they can mentor. ACC needs to be doing more to provide additional training in educational interpreting. John suggested additional “specific-oriented” workshops, which would secondarily help justify hiring more faculty. There should be more focus on educational interpreting and what an Interpreter can expect in the classroom-would be helpful in a mentoring situation combined with classroom instruction. Two years doesn’t allow enough time for covering varied subjects.

Technology is moving toward VRS and some companies are hiring Interpreters for VRS. Future grant funding will allow for more VRS companies; and VRS could be another justification for enhanced certification. A new VRS company is coming to Austin which could positively affect the job market.

The Code of Ethics will no longer be part of the BEI exam; it will be part of CEU requirements. Training will be necessary every two years.

Billy requested he replace Angela Bryant.

Other agencies, organizations and representatives mentioned for inclusion on the IPP Advisory Board included Communication by Hand, an IPP graduate and a Deaf student. A rotation within the agencies was also suggested. Those who cannot attend meetings will need to find a replacement. If a member misses two annual meetings consecutively, they need to be replaced with someone else from that organization, or agency. Each board member should make a two year commitment with the option of extending another term(s).

Adjourned at 2:50pm.

Need more advanced classes taught through Continuing Education (CE). San Antonio College began a 15-hour enhanced certificate geared specifically to certified Interpreters working to advance their level of certification. At present, of the 1,500-1,600 certified Interpreters in Texas, between 900-1,000 are at level I. MOTION to create classes for an advanced certificate; seconded by Ginger B. There will be changes in the educational requirements for Interpreters. RID will require Associate degrees in 2008 and BA degrees in 2012. The next legislative session may get the educational interpreting bill through which would increase educational requirements. John will only be hiring Interpreters who hold an Associate degree. Interpreters seeking the Advanced Skills Certificate will need more college credits but affordability is an issue. Student tuition costs are much less when classes are taken through CE; and students can later convert CE credits to academic credit. CE instructors are hired by CE which doesn’t allow the academic side any control over curriculum. MOTION by Billy that ACC offer the proposed Advanced Skills Certificate in combined format via the academic and CE side; seconded by Ginger.

Byron has made several visits to DELL, Deaf World events and high schools. He is working on obtaining a current list of schools that have Interpreting programs.

The hiring freeze has been lifted and an additional instructor position has been included in the ACC Master Plan. If approved the department could acquire two instructors, one for ASL and one for Interpreting (the Advanced Skills Certificate would justify the hiring of additional staff). This year (2003) has brought forth the largest group of Interpreting students yet. MOTION by Billy to add three new F-T faculty positions to the ASL/IPP program; seconded by Ginger B.

Some high schools and colleges do not recognize ASL as a foreign language and merit scholarships are affected by the non-recognition.

Consolidation of several agencies will begin January 2004 with everything being finalized by summer 2004. Certification services will remain the same and may be changed later (i.e., combining 'like' services). BEI is not self-sustaining yet. The overall idea for consolidation is to remove administrative costs.

Market downturn hasn't impacted the IPP program but it has impacted jobs in community interpreting. Austin has had some problems, but most Interpreters have been able to find employment. There's still a great need in educational interpreting. Employment opportunities should improve within six to twelve months.

Sales have been good. Negotiation with Sign Enhancers to distribute videotapes and DVDs nationally is in progress; a contract should be signed by January 2004 and ACC will do the cover. Byron wants to finalize everything with Sign Enhancers before starting any new projects.

The move to RVS is scheduled for Fall 2005; no exact building/room has been designated yet. A larger ASL Lab at RVS is being promised and Byron is looking into getting ideas from other ASL Labs (NTID, SAC, etc.). The overall philosophy is that RGC will become a transfer/arts campus.