CSD ANNOUNCEMENT: NTID Announces 'CSD Student Development Center'

From: CSD - Apr 14, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT                                 
Release Date: April 14, 2005
Contact: David Rosenbaum
CSD Community & Media Relations
CommMediaRel@c-s-d.org
 
Signed Video Release Is Available at
http://www.c-s-d.org/enews/04142005c.htm
  
NTID Announces New Building 'CSD Student Development Center'

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 14 April 2005 –The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, N.Y. broke ground this afternoon for a new student development center to house NTID student government and student life offices, multi-cultural clubs, study and communication centers and NTID's history collection. The center will be named "CSD Student Development Center" in recognition of CSD's relationship with NTID.

Construction of this 30,000 square-foot building, designed by Harrison Bridges & Associates Architects will be completed by fall of 2006. It will be connected to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Building. The project took two years of planning and also included coordinating input from students, faculty and staff on maximizing accessibility through technology, lighting, room design and seating.

The CSD Student Development Center is named to recognize CSD's many contributions to the educational, social, cultural and economic development of deaf and hard-of-hearing people. NTID says the building will extend students' learning experience by fostering their potential for leadership and community service, and provide them opportunities to explore other interests through different educational and recreational activities housed there.

"We are extremely honored and delighted by this recognition," says Dr. Benjamin J. Soukup, CEO of CSD. "CSD has always believed in giving back to the community. We are proud to contribute to NTID in such a meaningful way, so that the passion for learning and creating a better future can be nurtured and enhanced in tomorrow's leaders."

NTID, one of eight colleges within the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is the first and largest technological college in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It offers educational programs and access and support services to the 1,100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students from around the world who study, live and socialize with 14,400 hearing students on RIT's Rochester, N.Y. campus.

"Only 25 percent of a student's time is spent in the classroom," explained Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, RIT vice president and CEO/dean for NTID. "This center will serve as a gathering place where education can continue day and night in a centrally located, safe, supportive atmosphere. This will be a place where students can enrich and celebrate their unique talents and skills." NTID's web address is www.rit.edu/NTID

CSD is a private, nonprofit telecommunications and human services organization based in Sioux Falls, S.D. In its 30-year history, CSD has expanded its communication service offerings and currently manages over 20 call centers in the U.S. CSD offers telecommunications relay services (TRS), video relay services (VRS), equipment distribution programs (TEDP) and Interpreting Online. Additionally, CSD's National Programs provides human services in 15 locations in eight states. Their website is www.c-s-d.org

Signed Video Release Is Available at
http://www.c-s-d.org/enews/04142005c.htm

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