MU might lose American Sign Language classes

By Allie Blood

Published Nov. 2, 2007

Despite their popularity, American Sign Language classes might not continue after this school year due to lack of funding.

The College of Education is exploring internal and external solutions to the funding problem, College of Education spokeswoman Megan Ryder said.

"We want to obtain grants," Ryder said.

Although the ASL program does not fall under a department, MU offers four classes in American Sign Language and a culture class, which count for foreign language credit. Ryder said if a student takes all five courses, they could earn a minor in ASL.

"A lot of people don't know that it's a foreign language," American Sign Language Club President Amanda Buxton said.

Ryder said students from majors such as journalism, health, communications, nursing and psychology have taken ASL classes and incorporated the skills into their respective fields.

"Next semester we are offering two sections of ASL II because the demand is so high," Ryder said.

Buxton said the demand is so high that 58 students were on a waitlist for ASL I and were unable to take the class because the program couldn't afford additional staff members.

"The program is progressively growing," Buxton said.

Missouri Students Association Senate Speaker Jonathan Mays said he received a petition in support of the ASL program at the end of last year with 70 student signatures.

ASL became an elective option in 2003, and in 2005, Missouri legislation accredited it as fulfilling a foreign language requirement. Congress allocated funds within the College of Education for three school years. Ryder said a first request was sent in 2005 to the provost for more funding, which was denied.

Ryder said any student currently taking ASL who wishes to continue will be able to finish the sequence, but after this school year, the lack of funding will impair new students from taking the language.

Buxton has started a student effort to save the ASL program and make it stronger than it is. Buxton said she has e-mailed and sent letters to Jefferson City, made T-shirts and sweatshirts and talked with MSA about creating legislation to support the program.

"We just want to get our name out there to get students to support us," Buxton said.

Buxton said so far her efforts have not produced the results she wants.

Mays said the first thing MSA needs to do is get a "better understanding on the obstacles the ASL program faces."

Graduate student Stephanie Logan leads the movement to create a concrete and permanent ASL program. Ryder said Logan lost her hearing earlier in her life and has since worked with students to help them learn sign language.

Logan said in an e-mail that six of her former students are now teachers with deaf students and have told her how helpful they've found their ASL skills.

"A student who completed ASL I-III is now pursuing an additional degree in interpreting from William Woods (University)," Logan said. "I've had several students who have gone on to work with the deaf community."