Students make money simply by taking notes

Published in the Utah Statesman January 23, 2009

Why not make money for something students already do, all while helping someone else at the same time? This is what students are able to do if they volunteer or work as a note-taker for the USU Disability Resource Center (DRC).

Tina Peck, service coordinator for the DRC, said note-takers are essential for providing accommodations for certain students who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have various learning disabilities.

She said students can either volunteer to take notes for classes they are already enrolled in or work as a paid note-taker for classes outside their own schedules. Volunteer note-takers receive $15 per credit ($45 for a three-credit class) in the form of a gift certificate to the USU Bookstore at the end of the semester, Peck said while paid note-takers receive hourly wages for taking notes in classes, they are not enrolled and don’t have to take tests or complete assignments for. Either way, it’s not much extra work, she said, and in many cases it’s something students are already doing.

“It’s not that difficult,” Peck said. “We ask for average notes from a classroom for the general population. If you’re taking notes in your class already, as long as you are able to read them they will likely work.”

Peck said the note-taking process if very simple. After taking notes for a class, students photocopy their notes at the Disability Resource Center, she said. DRC employees then scan the notes on the computer for the students needing the services to access, she said.

Brent Patterson, senior in computer science, is a student who benefits from the note-taking services.

“Because I’m deaf, when the teacher presents I have a choice of either paying attention but not writing, or writing notes and missing what the teacher is saying,” he said. “So with the note-taking service, I’m able to have both.”

Patterson said he uses the notes for homework help and to study for tests. He said the volunteer can also benefit from helping others because their note-taking skills often improve.

Ashlee Newman, junior in early childhood education, has been a volunteer and paid note-taker for six classes in the last year and said it has been a simple, but rewarding, thing to do.

“I love it,” she said. “You already have to take notes anyway; why not get paid at the end of the semester?”

Newman said the gift certificates she has earned to the bookstore have been well-used.

“I love it because I can buy Aggie attire, children’s books and textbooks when I need to,” she said.

Newman said she also enjoyed working as a paid note-taker because she was able to attend a class outside her major and learn new things, all while helping someone else and not having to worry about tests or assignments.

“It was gratifying knowing that I was doing service for someone who couldn’t do it for themselves,” she said. “I have some friends who are receivers of the service and it’s been a relief for them.”

Pamy Hard, junior in social work, has volunteered as a note-taker for the DRC every semester but one since she was a freshman. She said she enjoys the opportunity to help others in such a simple way.

“I just like to help somebody else out,” she said. “It takes probably 15 minutes out of my day. I’m taking notes anyway. All I have to do is walk over to the DRC, copy the notes off and drop them in the box.”

Students can volunteer to be note-takers by signing up on the announcement sheet passed around in many classes, or by visiting the Disability Resource Center office in room 101 of the University Inn.

–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu