2007-2008 has been an intense year for the CDS Department! The faculty were busy addressing multiple initiatives to continue moving the program forward. The exciting aspect of the changes is that they began in response to feedback
that was consistent from both students and faculty. The joint efforts have resulted in some great improvements that are
already being realized in Communication Disorders & Sciences.
One focus in the graduate program was to ease the intensity of academic courses and clinical practicum requirements
per semester. The new accreditation standards were stretching students and faculty to the max!! As a result, the faculty
redesigned the graduate curriculum to allow an additional semester on campus while maintaining two full-semester
internships in the second graduate year without delaying graduation to address the critical job shortage. No small task!
The result was to add a semester on campus at the front end of the graduate program, providing time for orientation to
clinic procedures and enrollment in some content classes without any clinical practicum requirements. The six semester
graduate program now begins in the summer, followed by a fall, spring, and summer term on campus. Then medical and
educational internships occur in the second year fall and spring, with May graduation. It also allows an overlap summer
semester with the 'old' and 'new' graduate groups both on campus. The changes went into effect this summer, so we are
already implementing the revised plan with our new graduate class of 2008-2010.
A second major project has been the Laptop Initiative, which CDS is piloting for the University. Faculty and students have embraced technology
within classes and clinic to a degree that access to a laptop computer on a daily basis became a necessity. Faculty were using software applications
consistently in classes and the clinic fi les could only be accessed electronically. A
faculty committee spent two years preparing for the initiative, working collaboratively
with computer support departments on campus. The result kicked off this spring with a
university contract and recommendation that all juniors, seniors, and graduates purchase
a laptop computer for daily access in CDS classes and clinic. The link at our website
provides a high-powered quality computer, which comes with CDS software already
loaded. Service is provided on campus to students and the classroom has been equipped
with power strips to keep the laptops running. Students are excited about being able to
download project applications and clinical information without waiting for computers to
become available in the small department computer lab. We are looking forward to the
expanding possibilities in the way we approach our professional pedagogy!
The accolades and recognition of excellence in CDS continued this year. The Graduate
School designated Communication Disorders & Sciences as a First Choice Graduate
Program, one of only fi ve in the University. Dr. Jerry Griffi th, alumnus and former faculty
member, was awarded an Honorary Degree at the May commencement ceremonies. It
was wonderful to have him back on campus to visit the department and reminisce with
stories of the past. Christy Strole received one of seven Outstanding Graduate Alumnus Awards in April. Her family joined her on campus for the event, including daughter Jessica,
who is now a freshman at EIU. Students garnered prestigious awards, including the Frances
Meyer-Hampton Graduate Scholarship and two undergraduate Livingston C. Lord Scholarships.
Over 200 graduate applications were received for 30 graduate slots, resulting in a prestigious
group of students that hail from a variety of undergraduate institutions. Internship supervisors
rave about the quality of EIU graduate students in unsolicited comments shared with faculty
coordinators.
The dedication of faculty and students makes all of this possible! It is incredibly rewarding
to be part of such a stimulating and innovative workplace. CDS remains committed to training
high quality professionals who demonstrate competence and confi dence in their employment
settings. We want you to always be proud of being an EIU alumnus of the Communication
Disorders & Sciences Department!
