I attend school out there (I go to a state college) and I could have sworn that I read something that the classroom prohibition on ASL is still in effect but ASL on the grounds is not verboten.and they don't really use sign language there.
Seether, there's a deaf club in Springfeild (I'll PM you for more details).It's also good that you're going to UMASS Amherst as it is s huge school and maybe there'll be a huge population of Deafies there. If not, you can always transfer to Gally!