Gallaudet University - Office of International Affairs

and international affairs. The purpose of RSIA is to enhance Gallaudet's intellectual climate through enriching scholarly opportunities on the Gallaudet campus and beyond. RSIA staff facilitates faculty, staff, and student research by providing editing assistance with grant proposals and the Priority Research and Small Grants programs. Further, the unit promotes achievements of this nature by reporting on the University's contributions to research and scholarship. In addition, the unit maintains the longstanding Annual Survey of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth and research and activity on language planning. An equal emphasis of RSIA is to offer and oversee international and intercultural education opportunities for students and faculty. The unit also serves as the point of contact for international partnerships, visitors, and scholars. Specifically, RSIA:

Offers services for students, faculty, visiting students, scholars, researchers, and others to enhance their expertise and knowledge of international issues related to deaf people and people with disabilities.

· Helps ensure that international students are in compliance with current immigration regulations.

· Oversees Fulbright, World Deaf Leadership, and Sasakawa scholarships. "The merger of these three well-respected campus units is a logical move that will enhance research initiatives and better serve the international community," said Dr. Carol Erting, associate provost for research and dean of the graduate school, continuing studies, and international affairs. "I believe RSIA will play a significant role in assuring that Gallaudet's reaches Strategic Goal E by being recognized as the epicenter of research, development, and outreach." A website for RSIA, www.gallaudet.edu/rsia.html is being developed. In the meantime, links to the former GRI and OIPS sites remain active and provide an overview of research opportunities, international programs and services, and contact information.