California State University Northridge

Lighthouse Living Learning Community (Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Studies Majors)



Address: 17950 Lassen Street
City: Northridge
State: CA
Zip or Postal Code: 91325
Country: US
Program Director (or best person to contact): Lissa Stapleton
Email: lissa.stapleton@csun.edu
Phone: 818-677-6116
Fax: 818-677-7412
Web Address: http://housing.csun.edu/living_lighthouse.php?main=3&sub=1

Brief Program Summary
It is a diverse community of individuals with various interests in or connections to the Deaf community. The Lighthouse is a place where Deaf and Hearing students live together and promote the use of American Sign Language (ASL). Students will have the opportunity to live with Deaf and Hearing roommates with a variety of signing skill levels. The Lighthouse is a place where students can get more involved within the Deaf community on and off campus. Previous opportunities for students living in this community have been attending Deaf theater productions, participating in fun floor events, and competitions and educational experiences.

Sources of funding
Student Housing Deaf Studies Department National Center on Deafness

Program Reports To:
Student Housing- Community Director

Are students charged an additional fee: No

The number of persons in each of the following categories are teaching academic credit bearing courses
Fulltime Tenured Faculty: 1
Fulltime Probationary Faculty:
Fulltime Instructors:
Fulltime Retired Faculty:
Fulltime Adjunct Faculty:
Fulltime Graduate Students:
Fulltime Residence Hall Staff:

Parttime Tenured Faculty:
Parttime Probationary Faculty:
Parttime Instructors:
Parttime Retired Faculty:
Parttime Adjunct Faculty:
Parttime Graduate Students:
Parttime Residence Hall Staff:

Academic staff involved in the program that weren't included as faculty above
(Academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing academic services to students such as advising.)
Fulltime Academic Staff: 2
Parttime Academic Staff:

Non-academic staff involved in the program
(Non-academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing services that do not directly involve academics such as residence hall staff or staff who organize social activities that are not tied to academics.)
Fulltime Non-Academic Staff: 1
Parttime Non-Academic Staff:
Number of faculty offices in the residence hall: 0
The approximate percentage of students in each grade level
First Year: 60%
Second Year: 20%
Third Year: 10%
Fourth Year and above: 9%
Graduate Students: 1%

Total Number of Students: 80

Year the Program Began:1994

Academic Courses Offered In The Community
Deaf Studies 499z- Lighthouse Jamaica Service Trip We take 15-20 students to a Deaf Residential school in Knock Patrick, Jamaica for a week of service each year. (For more information about our Jamaica Service Trip please contact us)

Other Academic Offerings


Classrooms in hall
0

Summary of Facilities and Facilities Budget

Computer Resources in the Residence Hall
1 computer lab

The Role of Community Partnerships
We have biweekly committee meetings with our partners and student leaders. This group is responsible for selecting and supporting the Resident Advisors, assisting with community programs, assisting with community issues (i.e. roommate issues,academic concerns, etc.), and providing unique opportunties for students to take part in both on and off campus.

The Role of Leadership Development
We have Lighthouse Interns. Each year the committee selects 1 to 3 interns for the community. The purpose of the interns is to complete 4 Deaf specific programs per semester. They go through a day long leadership training and meet biweekly with the Community Director. The interns must live in the community. They have the option of receiving academic credit, but they are also given a $100 book store gift card. This serves a great leadership opportunity for students in the community as well as a way to promote and develop future Resident Advisors for the community.

The Role of Research


Summary of Assessment Activities
We conduct pre and post focus groups along with a Student Voice email survey at the end of the year.

Summary of Extracurricular Activities Formally Associated with the Program


The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies


How Diversity Issues are Addressed in the Program and in Courses


How Diversity Issues are Addressed Among Faculty and Students


Student Demographics
We are a mostly female community. Our students are mostly from California, but a good portion of our students come from out of state as well, since we have the 3rd largest Deaf population in the country and a 4 year BA Deaf Studies program. We have a racially diverse population of students.

Faculty Rewards for Participation in the Program
Release Time:
Salary Supplement:
Travel Funds:
Other:

Description of Other Rewards


Disciplines Represented by the Faculty
Deaf Studies professor

Willing to Serve as a Consultant:
Yes

Greatest Challenges for this Learning Community:
Creating a community that is both educational, supportive, and engaging for a diverse group of students. We have different learning outcomes for our Hearing students and Deaf students. We are continuously revisiting our mission and trying to assess our program and student success

Suggested Bibliography