Theseus said:I studied Information Technology as a student at RIT-------the campus is in a nice surrounding, since it's out in rural area with forest behind Grace Watson cafeteria, and not far from nearby Niagara Falls. Ellingston Hall (12-story dorm at RIT which houses many deaf students as well as hearing) occassionally has those prank fire alarms while students are sleeping. There are deaf activities on campus, and different deaf organizations like theatre and student government, and a strong Greek system (hearing included) in place if you're interested in joining a sorority. Below Ellingston Hall is a tunnel maze with murals on the walls and an arcade room plus convenience store en route, the tunnel is connected to several other buildings and also leads to Grace Watson cafeteria. Deaf students get credit sometimes for trying out for plays like West Side Story even if they're not a theater major.
When I went to RIT in 1999, I made some really good deaf friends... they were mostly computer science or information technology students like myself... but since I knew very little ASL at the time, I had a hard time feeling accepted by most of the deaf students because they would ignore me outright, even in advanced English classes... kind of like they were shunning me for not being Deaf enough (even though I'm profound deaf in both ears).. so it felt like a popularity contest there, kind of like high school with those cliques. But there are more than 1,000 deaf students at RIT/NTID so plenty of new faces to meet everyday.
But anyway, the fact is, I live in California now and want to finish up my education in electrical engineering at CSUN. Additionally, I've been told good things about CSUN; for example, most deaf there are friendly and accepting to deaf regardless of background, and I've found this to be true of several deaf I've met here in California so far. Last week I drove through Northridge and saw the CSUN campus and it's beautiful, kind of quiet since it's summer but there are hills, mountains, and valleys near CSUN. So there's a lot to see. Hollywood. Los Angeles. The beach. Most of which are only 30 minutes or less from CSUN. As for the education, the others here can help you with that since I'm not sure when it comes to journalism and teaching. Good luck and do follow-ups on things that others may not be sure of by contacting the colleges themselves.
I am definitely considering CSUN, I have a hard time making deaf friends since I have good speech, I'm always called "not deaf enough" even though I was born deaf and my parents are deaf.
I also live in Minnesota, and I'm getting sick of the long winters and short summers! I prefer to go to a college that has many deaf, I've been in mainstream for most of my life and I need a change, so I'm not sticking around home.
It does bother me that CSUN's accesibility is not up to par according to others, is this true?