Note-Taking Policy: Note-Taker Responsibilities
Prior to being a recognized note-taker by the Office of Disability Services (ODS), all note-takers must complete the Note-Taker Agreement Form and submit it to ODS. Training sessions for note-takers are held during the first week of each term and as needed. For additional information about the training sessions, go to: Note-Taker Training.
Note-takers are required to keep the identity of the person with a disability for whom they are taking notes (if known). Note-takers are responsible for making their notes available to individuals with disabilities within twenty-four hours after each class. Note-takers are required to comply with the terms and conditions of the Note-taker Agreement Form. A code of ethics for note-takers is located at: Note-Takers Code of Ethics and Guidelines.
All recognized note-takers receive a gift certificate from the University Bookstore at the end of each term. In the event the individual with a disability withdraws from a class/program beforethe end of week five or midway through the class/program, note-takers are provided a gift certificate for a pro-rated amount. All gift certificates are issued by ODS. Note-takers are responsible for coming to ODS to pick up gift certificates after the end of each term. Certificates will be issued after ten working days, following the end of each term.
¹ University days means days when the University is open for normal business operations.
Note-Taker Training
Note-taker training is provided by the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for those providing note-taking services as an accommodation for a student with a disability. When note-takers complete the training, a certificate of accomplishment is provided in recognition of the effort and knowledge gained. For additional information about note-taker training, contact ODS at 215.895.1401 or by e-mail at disability@drexel.edu.
Note-Takers Code of Ethics and Guidelines
1. Note-takers shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential. Note-takers shall use discretion when discussing a class or students in that class. Any problems should be reported to the director of the Office of Disability Services (ODS).
2. Note-takers shall transcribe lectures as faithfully and completely as possible. Note-takers must learn to store information as they listen in order to record all of the major points of the lecture. Correct English is required at all times. Diagrams, examples, student questions and answers, and student comments need to be included in the notes to provide a complete picture of classroom activities. It is better to provide information students do not need than to take the chance that they will miss something important. When in doubt, note-takers should take notes and contact the instructor/ professor for clarification. Most instructors provide clues either directly or indirectly about what will appear on tests. Anything which is stressed in the classroom needs to be stressed in the notes. Teacher comments about the important items also need to be recorded.
3. Note-takers will not advise, interject personal opinion, or counsel the student. Just as note-takers may not omit important information, they will not add personal opinions to recorded notes. Note-takers need to remember that they are not responsible for what is said and cannot permit their own feelings to interfere with or add to the lecture. Recognized note-takers are not to participate in class other than to ask questions for clarification or spelling on behalf of the student with a disability. Note-takers and students frequently become friends, but that personal relationship must not be allowed to interfere with the service for which the role of a note-taker is intended, as indicated in this Code of Ethics.
Adapted from "Note-taker's Code of Ethics and Guidelines"
prepared by the
California State University at Northridge