Student Disability and Accessibility Center

Academic Accommodations

Note-Taking Services

Students start the process prior to, or early in each semester, by meeting with a Student Disability and Accessibility Center (SDAC) Advisor to create a Semester Accommodation letter for the student to share with their instructors. Note-taking Services accommodations are tailored to meet the individual student’s needs. Examples of these services include:

  • Glean, a program that allows you to record a lecture and take notes simultaneously within the same program
  • Recording lectures via a device, such as a smartpen, digital recorder or personal device.
  • Recruiting a peer voluntary note-sharer
    • Contact SDAC to schedule an appointment with an SDAC Advisor.
    • During your SDAC appointment, discuss the options for a note-taking services with an advisor.
    • Pending on the type of note-taking service accommodation you are authorized for, please follow through with the next steps outlined in your accommodation confirmation email.
    • If using an SDAC equipment loan to record lectures, please look for an email from  SDAC@csumb.edu to start the loan process.
    • If you are authorized for a peer note-sharer, please see the section below for recruiting a note-sharer.

  • Students may also be authorized to record lectures as an accommodation. Authorized students may use their personal devices, such as cell phones or laptops, or they may be loaned an authorized recording device through SDAC. Both the student and faculty must sign the Recording Lectures Agreement and submit it to SDAC. This agreement protects the faculty’s course content by ensuring the student will only use recordings for personal use and not share them with others.

  • There are a number of ways you can recruit a peer note-sharer. Some recruitment strategies include:

    • Ask a classmate in your course to assist you, and refer them to sdacnotetaking@csumb.edu to get registered
    • SDAC will ask your professor to make an announcement in class and direct potential note-sharers to the SDAC office for further information.  

    Important to Know

    • Finding peer note-sharers can be difficult. Because of this, we encourage all students to use Glean software for a note-taking accommodation, or as a supplement to the peer note-sharer.
    • If a note-sharer volunteers for your course, we will notify you via email.
    • Contact SDAC immediately if you are having trouble finding a note-sharer or are having issues with your current note-sharer by emailing sdacnotetaking@csumb.edu or calling 831-582-3672.
    • For peer note-sharers to be recognized by SDAC, they must complete SDAC's application process. If you have recruited a peer note-sharer and they would like to become an official note-sharer, please direct them to contact us at sdacnotetaking@csumb.edu.

  • Has your instructor asked for someone in your class to become a note-sharer?

    HOW TO APPLY:  Please contact sdacnotetaking@csumb.edu for instructions on applying through our student accommodation system, AIM, to become a peer note-sharer.

    Primary Duties and Qualifications

    • The note-sharer must not be authorized for their own peer note-sharer. 
    • Must be enrolled at CSUMB with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
    • College level English vocabulary and language, with the exception of some entry-level or freshman courses.
    • Must be reliable, responsible, and prompt.
    • Meet deadlines and follow SDAC service policies and procedures.
    • Attend class and take neat, organized, accurate notes for students with disabilities.

    Note-sharers may be given access to a note-taking software program, Glean, as part of their role as a note-sharer. Glean is a program that records a lecture and allows you to take notes simultaneously within the same program.

    Recommended:

    • Complete optional free training: Note-taker training - You will need to create a login ID and password and plan to set aside 30-45 minutes to complete.