Starting the Year with an Exclamation

WOW! That is very interesting! I wish I'd known that sooner! Are you serious? Students may have had a number of these reactions after attending the Welcome Orientation Workshop (WOW) in Bessey Hall on Thursday, August 23^rd at 4:00pm. This annual event consisted of a campus resource fair, panel discussions and informative workshop sessions for students with disabilities.

The third floor of Bessey Hall was filled with students, faculty and volunteers in casual conversation as the resource fair began, marking the start of WOW 2007. During the fair, members of departments and organizations at MSU shared their knowledge of campus groups and important resources available to students with disabilities.

Following the resource fair was a welcoming introduction by director Michael Hudson and the RCPD staff. Specialists emphasized the importance of taking initiative at the beginning of the semester and assured students that the RCPD staff are dedicated to working with them and providing assistance whenever possible.

As the event progressed, a rather animated faculty panel took their seats at the front of the room to answer questions, mixing topics of documentation, accommodations and notetaking assistance with lighthearted jokes well received by the students.

"We did have an exceptionally good faculty panel this year. Most of the participants mentioned this was particularly helpful to listen to faculty and realize they were quite approachable, understanding of, and helpful to students who need accommodations" said Learning Disabilities Specialist Val Nilson.

Next, RCPD Disability Specialists Virginia Rutan and Elaine High presented a workshop session on Alternative Testing and Assistive Technology Specialist, Stephen Blosser, shared his technology expertise during the Computer Technology Information workshop session. These sessions occurred simultaneously and covered topics proven to be very useful to students throughout the semester.

A student panel was present and ready to answer questions and share their experiences after the previous workshop sessions ended. WOW participants found the student panel particularly helpful in recognizing different points of view among peers with disabilities. Students in the panel stressed the importance of connecting with professors at the beginning of the semester.

"Everyone's questions were answered thoroughly. It was helpful hearing from people who had already experienced college while having disabilities," remarked one WOW participant after attending the student panel.

Overall, WOW 2007 was a success and ended in the best way any quality campus event ends...with lots of pizza.

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