Harold Goldstein
A self-evaluating survey of the Special Services program was recently distributed to the faculty of Pierce College by Norm Crozer, director of Special Services.
The anonymous survey is a self-evaluation questionnaire given to Pierce faculty.
Every odd-numbered year, they are given back to Crozer for analysis on what suggestions and recommendations the faculty writes down.
Containing eight questions, the survey asks faculty if they or their students have had problems receiving assistance from the Special Services program or the program staff.
The survey also asks for new ideas and recommendations to make the experience better for disabled students.
“Nobody has a perfect program, obviously,” said Crozer.
“I’m hoping for ideas on improving services or new services. Anything that the faculty can think of,” he added.
Since 1974, the Special Services program has helped between 300 and 400 students with disabilities and problems that delay their time of learning in an educational environment by providing support services that are unique to each individual disability.
A wide and varied range of support services are provided by all departments on campus.
Because of this “one-stop” concept, a user-friendlier environment was created for Pierce students.
There are 14 different kinds of disabilities that are provided services by the Special Services program.
They are deafness, hard of hearing, low vision, blindness, psychological problems, mobility problems, AIDS/HIV, neurological problems, developmentally delayed, speech problems, learning disabled, substance abuse, ADD/ADHD and other health problems.
“There’s a lot of kids that do have learning disabilities or learning problems but don’t know it,” said Crozer.
Though completed surveys are slowly returning to the program director’s desk, the program staff, including Crozer, hasn’t had a chance to look over the information yet.
In some ways, the faculty has responded toward the survey’s goal in a positive light.
“I think it’s a good thing to make faculty aware how important Special Services are to the college,” said Norm Levy, chair of the political science and economics department.
Other faculty seems to recognize the value of the survey.
“I think what Norm Crozer is trying to do is improve the services of the Special Services program,” said David Braun, chair of the business administration department and teacher of marketing and business.
After the surveys are filled out and analyzed by the program staff, the surveys will be used to improve services for faculty and students.
“We need to broaden our sight to anything out there,” said Crozer.