SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA

LOCATION:  1928 Saint Mary's Road

                               Moraga, CA 94556

PHONE:  (925) 631-4000

Coordinator of Student Disability Services:  Jennifer Billeci, jbilleci@stmarys-ca.edu

DEMOGRAPHICS:  

 Undergraduates:  2,400

Saint Mary's College of California has 270 currently enrolled students with disabilities in four different categories:

• Learning Disabilities:  40%
• Psychiatric Disabilities:  40%
• Medical Disabilities:  18%
• Physical Disabilities:  2%

* 12% of undergraduate students report multiple disabilities

How does Saint Mary's bring Awareness to their Program?

Ms. Billeci speaks annually to students and parents at numerous high schools in neighboring school districts about Saint Mary's disabilities program.  She also speaks to incoming students at orientation, letting them know how to go about requesting accommodations, and offers a syllabus statement with information about the disabilities department to be given to all students upon professors' discretion.  Ms. Billeci attends national conferences with other local universities, such as the University of San Francisco, during which new methods and technologies to assist students with disabilities are taught.  The department also provides brochures with information about the program in the disabilities office, located at Filippi Academic Hall, Room 190, and has information online at: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-advising-and-achievement/student-disability-services/index.html 

COLLABORATION WITH ADMISSION:

All undergraduate applicants are evaluated under the same standards and admissions process.  Students who report a learning disability upon applying have their transcripts evaluated by Ms. Billeci, who determines whether a specific student's learning disability explains uncharacteristic test scores or grades compared to the rest of their transcript, and her evaluation is weighed into the admissions process.  

RESOURCES OFFERED:

• Alternative classes for students with learning disabilities to complete in place of a required course
• Extended testing (requests must be made as far in advance as possible)
• Isolated testing rooms (also must be reserved in advance)
• Tutoring Center
• Note-takers
• Technology Assistants
• Mobile chairs/tables
• Lockers in disability office
• disability office with private rooms open on weekends

TECHNOLOGY: (see technology page for descriptions)

• Dragon Natural Speaking
• Smart Pen
• Kurzweil 300

ANALYSIS:

Of the four schools we visited and researched, Saint Mary's has the most modern facilities.  The computers in their testing rooms are new and plenty.  They have individual testing rooms and group study rooms, some with computers, some without, depending upon your needs.  It is clear that the disabilities department has spent all of its budget on facilities and technology. Besides a few front desk workers and other administrative positions, it is a one person staff.  Ms. Billeci does it all and looks to be doing a great job, but if you are looking for one-on-one attention, Saint Mary's cannot offer a large amount of individualized time.