Sign me up too. I respect these who had hoped for Stern’s appointment, and I certainly would have felt upset if Fernandes was not picked, but I would have never thrown a temper tanturm like certain students are doing now.

Disrupting Dr. Fernandes’ speech was disgusting, and so is slashing her face on pictures and plastering it all over campus. I’m a staunch supporter of the first amendment, but, come on. Take feelings into consideration.

If you want to protest, have a plan, have leaders, and don’t just stand around screaming. That’s not how you get heard.

Thank you, Adam, for your reports today. We really needed a balanced, rather than skewed, perspective of the goings-on at Gallaudet. Those 200-odd students do not represent the entire student body at Gallaudet, thank goodness. But they certainly have been the most vocal and the most effective at stirring up others.
By the way, it’s Noah BeckMAN not BeckHAM

Hey Adam-

Your articles are on the point. I really do enjoy your honest opinion and right now I am sad to call myself a Gallaudet Alumni due to those 200 plus ignorant students.

I prefer Ron Stern but you are right Jane is the most qualified. I have had both good and bad encounters with her, in fact the bad ones were mostly my fault because I was aggressive in fighting for what I wanted so I don’t blame her for being defensive and rude in specific situations and so far I have heard many horror stories about encounters with Fernandes and at the end of each of these horror stories, after some thoughtful dialouge it was obvious that she was not herself because she was defensive in a bad situation.

And to be honest with you Adam I think Jane will be good for Gallaudet academic wise because she is the honor’s program’s biggest supporter and Gallaudet students just dont get it now… EDUCATION matters. After moving back to San Diego I have talked to several deaf alums and they all are having problems getting jobs in sectors where there are none or a few deaf employees, most of my buddies have settled with jobs within deaf companies/schools/instutes/agencies/non-profits. Then I looked at some of their resumes and I was appalled because I realized Gallaudet had never really taught Gallaudet students how to write a real resume and how to package themselves. Heck I know someone who graduated from Gallaudet who cannot write a proper sentence. She is the sweetest lady I have met yet she just has horrible english. It is not her fault. It is Gallaudet’s and the student body’s fault. Both sides need to wake up and realize that they can have the Gallaudet they want by working for it. Getting the President they want won’t change Gallaudet, changing their attitudes will.

Instead of being so focused on Homecoming, Greek Events and BF/RF, Gallaudet students should be interested in doing research on policy that can change the country’s attitude towards captioning and mandating captioning on the rapidly increasing multimedia interface market? Why can’t Gallaudet be at the front of this and lead the way in providing the world with intelligent students that are ready to change the world instead of students that are ready to pass easy classes while have the fun of a lifetime at Gallaudet. Indeed, it is part of the Gallaudet experience but if the students don’t change their attitudes then when Jane retires, none of our alums will be able to compete for the job, why? Because they aren’t willing to go the distance in their academics and do real research in college that will translate to great thesis work in graduate school and eventually a career in administration. There are no other deaf person qualified other than a very few people that I can think of. I would like to see the “leaders” focus on getting their PhDs instead of making a ruckus at the front gates and present themselves as the future candidates to lead Gallaudet in 15 years.

I really do dream of the day when I come back to Gallaudet to visit and I see Gallaudet with programs that train students to study and create public policy on capitol hill along with programs to push Gallaudet students to do journalism internships in both DC and NYC because there are quite a few talented Deaf writers that the world will never know about if we don’t get them out there. I also dream of the day when we have Gallaudet students that … A lot of Gallaudet Alums who wish for a better Gallaudet can finish this sentence.

Thank you for your coverage Adam. :)

-P.

Have you realized that Dr. Fernandes’ path was clearly paved when they removed Roz Rosen and Glenn Anderson off the list? No, Adam, you’re being delusional as usual.

IN six years as Provost, what did she do to foster the “spirit of friendship”? The truth is that she retaliated everyone else. And now she wants to befriend everyone else and insist that everyone give her a chance?

You must be so dumb, Adam.

R-

Ridor why do you need to put others down? You really do bring out the worst in Gallaudet’s community.

Adam presented his case clearly. We may not agree with it, I think it is clear that you are the dumb one, Ridor, for presenting absolutely nothing to back up your claims. In fact if I remember correctly you were liked a lot less than Jane at Gallaudet.

Since I used to be in the Honors Program at Gallaudet, I can vouch for what P. says about Jane supporting the Honors Program. She was our biggest supporter, I mean heck, even her husband was one of the popular teachers in the program and I tried like heck to take his class but it was filled up. Like everybody else Jane has her good and bad days, but I think she took charge in a good way after that horrible month in 2001. At least we need to give her a chance, I hope Ridor knows what it means to “Don’t Knock It, Unless You Tried It.” If Ridor was a Provost, he might have come with a different perspective.

THANK YOU, Adam, for posting this. You make many excellent points, some nearly identical to points I made in my own blog. Gallaudet students, let’s be happy that a DEAF person was picked, regardless of a negative encounter you had or JK’s educational background. So what if she grew up oral? I don’t really see how her parents choice to educate her was her fault. Shouldn’t we be happy that she did learn sign and chose to be involved in Deaf culture? I. King Jordan was hearing until he was 21, and no one seemed to mind that in 1988 when they rallied behind him.

I fully support the Board of Trustees decision to appoint JK as President. She is highly qualified, and I feel confident that she will do the job well. I look forward to entering Gallaudet in the fall knowing that IKJ is passing the figurative torch to a reliable person.

She had six years to mend her relationship — she refused. She blew her chance. Case closed. Finished hot dog (in ASL mode, that is).

Definitely Not As Dumb As Ridor: Is that all you can say? I already mentioned why Fernandes is not suitable to lead Gallaudet — why do you fight the inevitable?

Please take a class at Gallaudet and stand few feet from the professors and watch what they conversed, you’ll see that they have these crude jokes about Fernandes. Tell me about respect the faculty/staff members has for Jane. There is none, to be honest with you.

Calling me with names after I nailed someone else is pitiful way to defend your case.

Ty, your argument is duly noted but left me to beg one thing, if you were the Provost with six years on your schedule, would you make efforts to reach out to the students, alumni and all that? If the answer is yes, then you can lead the university but the problem is that Fernandes did not. She alienated everyone else in the process.

R-

I have to agree with “Definitely Not As Dumb as Ridor.” Ridor has nothing better to do but sit around and put down other people. This is not mature behavior. The sad thing is that I have to remain anonymous for fear Ridor will lash out at me on his blog.

Adam, thank you for being mature. While I was not entirely in favor of Jane becoming president, I am willing to see how well she will do the job. I was sad to see that her acceptance speech was so rudely interrupted by Ryan. It was unnecessary for him to do that. A person of integrity and dignity would disagree with something in an appropriate manner.

Jane will never forget this day nor will we forget the students who ruined a historic moment of the first woman president being appointed at Gallaudet.

Jennie, it has nothing to do with Jane’s background — it has so much to do with her administrative skills — she failed to foster the relationship with anyone else in particular. Don’t bother to lie.

Students disliked her. Faculty members made crude jokes about her. Staff members has derogatory signs for her. Alumni snickered and shot her down. What more do you want out of our University?

R-

Ridor,

Oh come on, no need to slam Adam like that. Frankly, I don’t know who Adam is or he doesn’t know who I am but from here, I can tell that what did he was just being objective. I know the concept of objectivity is near-impossible but he made some good points. Here’s an example, his observation: “200 students do not represent 1,200 students” is right on. 200 is like just 1/6 of Gallaudet students. Hardly the majority, I must say. If it’s 600 or more, I’d agree with you that the decision needs to change.

Ridor, maybe I’m out of place to suggest this but if I were in your shoes or anyone who was pissed off by this decision, I’d make a petition and have them to sign it. Maybe up to 600 - 1,000 signatures if possible and present it to Board of Trustees. Stake out the Library of Congress to research on laws or at some places in Gallaudent to find a loopholes in their policies to challenge them.

Slashing Dr. Fernandes’s pictures on the walls or disrupting Dr. Fernandes’ speech as Talsey indicted above is hardly the most effective thing to do. I just don’t see how it can change the BOT’s decision… Probably anger them even more and make them stay firm with their decision.

Anti-Fernandes folks, think logically and act locally, you may be surprised by the result. Re-direct your anger in the right way.

Just a thought.

Ridor makes a habit of slamming people. That’s all he does. He sits at home, and insults people. Usually close to the line of slander. I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten sued yet.

Adam, I don’t need to tell you this but you did a fanastic job comparing all three finalists, being objective, and fair. I commend you.

Faculty Senate already submitted the letter to endorse someone else.

Many organizations already submitted their letters of protest before they selected Fernandes.

Did Adam Stone mention that? No, he did not. Therefore he was not being objective.

And trust me, it was not 200 as he wanted it to be. IN fact, it was more than 300. Plus, I was notified that the ELI (English Language Institute) staff has chased some international students to scare them that if they protest, they will be deported just like illegal immigrants. So if not for that, maybe 200 more would have join. So make it 500. Then throw in minorities who already protested, 700. Gallaudet has less than 1,300 students. That is more than half. Throw in faculty members and alumni who does not want her — what do you get — pretty much over 1,000.

Of course, Adam won’t admit to that.

R-

Not only that, Talsey falsely accused Ryan Commerson of disrupting the speech. Ryan was merely telling the student body that if they disagreed with the decision of the BOT, let’s move out. To me, that is not to disrupt but to exercise one’s freedom of speech.

Impolite, maybe. But disruptive, no. Gods, you guys made me smile today for the first time.

R-

All I can say is: I hope this blows over. A large scale protest will NOT do for gally and the Deaf community what DPN did. I am so glad this happened on a busy news day…

[…] An Analysis of Gallaudet’s Abortive Protest (good analysis)http://www.deafdc.com/blog/adam-stone/2006-05-01/an-analysis-of-an-abortive-protest/  […]

Interupting a speech is disruptive and rude. Believe what you want. If anyone stood in front of you (yes I saw the video you posted on your blog) and talked while you were talking, that is disruptive behavior.

Ridor said “Faculty Senate already submitted the letter to endorse someone else.”

There was a second Faculty Senate resolution sent after that first letter asking to ignore the first resolution. You attack others for not stating all the facts, yet you do that.

The way Ridor slams people tells us alot how thr real world views Gallaudet. If Ridor acts like that, how can we expect the real world to take us seriously?

this is not about the events that occurred nor the newly chosen president, but about why this has caused some to react the way they did. even though there was a small-scale protest, there is still a lingering apprehension among those within the community. why is this?

the following excerpt brought me to understand this to a greater depth…

According to Lennard J. Davis, “The first wave of any struggle involves the establishment of the identity against societal definitions that were formed largely by oppression. In the first phase, the identity, normalized, turned positive against the negative descriptions used by the oppressive regime.”

That was 1988: “Deaf people can do anything except hear.”

Davis continues:
“In a second wave, the principals are comfortable about self-examining, finding diversity within the group, and struggling to redefine the identity in more nuanced and complex ways. Often this phase will produce conflict within a group rather than unity” (_Bending over Backwards_. 11).

let’s steer away from discussing the person itself but comprehend the reaction many had at the announcement. let’s revolutionize ourselves by discussing this angle than going into a frenzy to prove what one perceives is right or destroying the credentials of those who have braved the journey and even the one that has been chosen.

I agree with what you said but whoever is gally prez is gonna deal with various groups of people they may not like.. so if you protest and get what you want fine but if not then you know what we need to do wake up the deaf community about what going on how we findjobs and find ourselves not able get same jobs as hearing on equal footing . if we told them all this maybe theyd wake up more and get more involved..

Talsey, jealousy does you very well. Accusing me of things to defame as much as you can.

If you look at the video clip, Nobody was TALKING when Ryan approached the stage. In fact, very few cheered for Jane to come onstage while the rest were stunned.

The second letter was drafted by whom? Dean Karen Kimmel who disputed the Faculty Senate (66% does not want Fernandes, that is 2/3!)’s resolution.

Mark my words — Karen Kimmel will be inserted as the Provost, much to our chagrin.

I already warned last summer that IKJ was grooming the path for JKF and people thought I was full of crap. Well, I was right. As always!

It has nothing to do with slamming anyone else in particular — just that I find inconsistencies in Adam Stone’s comments. He asked me to link his blog a while ago — and when I blogged about the incidents at Gallaudet, he chose not to link. Goes on to say what kind of person he is.

I rest my case. The Blighting of Gallaudet has begun.

R-

Blighting?

http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=blighting

Cute but not the best word to use.

Nice try but no cigar, Talsey!

Try this one:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=blighting

Cheers,

R-

Anyway, back to the point.

If any of these “protestors” truly wants to get their message across, they’ll be organized. They’ll do everything in a legal, and safe manner. They shoudn’t block cars from coming in or out of campus with their bodies.

They shoudn’t compare Jane Fernandes to Adolf Hitler like many are doing so on gallypreswatch.

Be mature, be polite, be organized, and be firm. That’s how you get heard.

Not by kicking your feet on the floor crying cause Mommy is mean.

They are being organized — give them time — they will bounce back. In fact, the students and faculty members has reached the agreement on two demands. Seeya.

R-

So let me see if I have this straight… Jane doesn’t put on a fake show of “spirit”, is academically demanding, and doesn’t power to the deaf power group - a group whose numbers are steadily declining with every year, by the way. So they protest because “Jane doesn’t say Hi”, according to the washington post. Gallaudet. Is. Embarrasing. Period. Deaf. People. Are. Embarassing. Because you’re disconnected from the world. Duh.

That should say “doesn’t kowtow to the deaf power group” - whose numbers are steadily declining with every year. Heh. And Ridor is Ricky Taylor, this overweight disgusting pervert who decided he was a homosexual when no girl would willingly or unwillingly have sexual relations with him. Why don’t you get off these boards, Ricky, and go snort some more nose candy.

As a former Gallaudet Student, I have to say that this entire farce the students who are protesting against the JKF nomination. My thoughts are quite similar to Mr. Stone’s, mostly in the sense that we both agree that this whole thing seems to be nothing more than a nostalgic DPN resurrection.

Granted, JKF has an interesting approach towards her duties and with people. Albeit she can be quite stern and disagreeable towards the students, but I don’t think that justifies the reason for the tantrums. The Board of Trustee’s deliberated and agreed Jane Fernandes was the best possible candidate to represent Gallaudet as the President of the university. If you don’t like it, write your opinion down, put it on that box, located on the wall with the bottom of it open and over a trashcan, labled “suggestions.”

Jane Fernandes is a personality all to her own, she’ll get the job done and make the best possible decision’s for the school. dropping down on the ground and pounding on the floor like a little child isn’t going to reflect well on the University or YOU. Jesus, as Mr. Stone mentioned, this entire protest couldn’t aggree on what they were protesting about; however, DPN had one objective, a Deaf President. Now BPN (better president now) has no real direction, Nostalgia MUUUUUUUUCH?

I appreciate Adam’s thoughtful take on the situation. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. The faculty, like the students, are not unanimous. The Faculty Senate has not expressed support for any candidate. Jane Fernandes is not completely without support among the faculty, though of course she has those who do not support her, too. But it’s based on her credentials, performance, and a comparison with the same for the other 2 finalists. It doesn’t matter, though: the faculty doesn’t choose the president any more than the students do. It’s not a popularity contest. The Board chooses based on the recommendations of the search committee.

The personal attacks on Fernandes, on Ridor, by Ridor - these detract from the debate, cast a negative light on the Deaf community, and distract from the real issues here. While I agree with “Joe Dirt” that objecting to Fernandes because she isn’t friendly enough does not cast the Deaf community in a good light, he then attacks Ridor because he is overweight and gay. Sort of the same thing, eh? I don’t agree with Ridor and believe he is misinformed about some things, but let’s stick to the issues and facts, eh?

Its a sad day when it comes down to this–the very fact that we’re discriminating against our own.

In response to posts 13 and 18: Actually, neither of you has the facts straight. At the GENERAL faculty meeting, not the Senate meeting, a resolution was passed asking that the search process be suspended for various reasons (including lack of diversity among the final three). After the meeting, a petition was circulated by some members of the faculty who were against the resolution. The Senate did NOT pass a resolution asking BoT to ignore the first one. In fact, an emergency meeting has been called for next Mon. to discuss how to respond to JKF’s selection.

Faculty dislike JKF not because she’s “not nice,” but because she is patronizing to students, ignores faculty recommendations and requests, and doesn’t respect the principle of “shared governance” (faculty AND administrators make important decisions together). In fact, the Faculty Senate conducted a poll that found 67 percent of us think JKF is unacceptable as a president.

College students, deaf and hearing, like to protest. It’s part of the whole experience, especially as an undergrad. Something happens…”Let’s protest!”. Not liking someone who is strict is also part of the experience. It seems that those who are protesting just want to be a part of something to be remembered. However, it is no comparison to DPN so their efforts may be a little lost on future students.

Dear Gally Prof: Thank you!!!!! A well reasoned response. THESE are reasons to be concerned. THESE are reasons to have been concerned. Not “she’s not nice to us”.

Hey Teach,
Are you sure there were alot of misinformation.
You think they are only complaining about her personality? Give them more credit than that. They did vote and wrote letters to the “suggestion box” but it got completely ignored.
Im still perplexed, that the obvious qualified folks didnt even get an interview. Something is wrong with the process. The board may be satisfied with the process, but, the real question…are we?

-BJ-

Joe Dirt, is that all you can say — to defame me?

Let’s see, I acknowledged that I was gay when I was 4. It has nothing to do with your speculations — I’m SO flattered you are so interested in my life.

R-

Honestly, Adam, have you really gotten the pulse of the Deaf World down pat?

I don’t feel it in your blog, however beautifully you write.

You do not seem to pay any attention to the volumnious discussions on Gallynet-L (alumni/student/community network). As a result, your views are rather centered around what you experience in your immediate surroundings. You only write from the seat of your pants, how you feel or perceieve these events.

While that’s alright and reasonable, to BLOG about it, it does not make one a fair and objective journalist–especially when you don’t quote from sources other than what you see or are told directly. If you want your views to be taken seriously, please start quoting from real publications such as The Politics of Deafness by Owen Wrigely, or Damned for their Difference by Branson and Miller, or from DEAF WORLD–a historical sourcebook, edited by Lois Bragg, just to name a few books. You enjoy the unique role of being one of DC’s premier deaf bloggers and are in a position to influence opinion tremendously. I’d like it if you started adding more references in the hope that it would encourage people to think about what you have to say and follow up in their own time, reading sources you provide–so that they may reach their own consensus.

Back to my first sentence in this comment entry, it all boils down to how much real research or reading you have done across how wide a range of topics related to the deaf experience–which enables you to understand or miss out on crucial values that continue to thread throughout the Deaf community.

anyway…. here’s a bit of what I think you were rather neligent in your post on Fernandes’ appointment to the presidency.

I was there in the auditorium, at the announcement–the aura was horrible. For a good description of how I felt, I refer you to deafprofessional.net–there’s an article written (with some copy errors) in the first person view, which practically takes the words out of my mouth, especially in the part where the author describes the heavy atmosphere in the Swindell Auditorium. Well, thats my firsthand experience (in response to you sharing yours).

Beyond that, I’d like to share some thoughts with you, about what I think may be the real problem with Fernandes.

She is a SYMBOL of strife. Remember what Ron Stern said about perceived realities and life realities. The guy is getting his doctorate in educational leadership and when he explained this to us at his open forum address, what he was trying to tell us is that every view, every voice is valuable–and that when we encounter a lot of smoke, there is FIRE somewhere, that is, there’s a very valid viewpoint somewhere that needs addressing and resolving.

I think Fernandes is smart and capable in many ways, but she may not be able to unite the DEAF WORLD in the ways we long to be united. This is extremely dangerous. What I really FEAR is that we will continue to experience such strife. The Board of Trustees should have seen this coming and they should have taken the views of the Gallaudet students, staff, faculty and alumni much more seriously. We cannot afford to have any more political strife, and yet, the BOT appointed the person most likely to inspire such strife. It’s sad.

We NEED a president who will be a symbol or icon of REAL communication and who will not incite riots. A heavy security presence surrounding Fernandes EQUALS a culture of fear that has existed on the Gallaudet campus for years now. The other two presidential candidates didn’t need such security. Think about it. I can’t imagine Fernandes feels comfortable with the campus community anymore and I feel terrible that she is stuck with such a negative atmosphere, right from the very start of her ascension to the presidency, but she doesn’t seem to do much to alleviate this.

Couldn’t she, for one, try and trust us more–like… get rid of the security–we do have enough respect to stop any idiot from throwing tomatoes at her. I personally would tackle such an idiot to the ground, and I know many of my peers would do the same. It’s sickening how unsafe she feels around us and how unsafe a clear minumum of 1/5 the student body feels about her as president, not to mention the rest of the Gallaudet community, including parents, alumni, staff and faculty. I don’t know if we really deserve a president who’s afraid of her own campus community, and just think, this is the person who will be the next face of the Deaf World? Sigh.

I wish she’d just stay as provost, or return to the ASL/Deaf Studies department where she could develop more meaningful relationships with the students there (including myself). But no, I have to watch as the campus community freaks out en masse. I wish this had never happened, but that’s how myopic the Board of Trustees is.

It was clear from the beginning this would happen, been clear since last fall. They should have known better than this. It’s their fault for disregarding the loud and clear pulse of the Gallaudet community, both within and outside.

Go google up the offical SBG position. It’s on Gallynet-L by now, I think. I got it by email this morning. See what they had to say. That’s one source for you to consider, in relation to what I’ve tried to share above. I hope you will think about this some more. Ridor may be loud and crude, but he’s definitely not alone in his sentiments.

Best regards, and I look forward to your next few blogs.

oh and “abortive” ???? where do you get off using such a strong and politically charged word… not cool… the rallies are still going on and SBG is still working on getting the student body unified… “abortive” is such a final and negative term–which discourages any sense of unity

Off the tangent…Wonder if the real issue is the fact that the new president is a woman? Plus deaf? Give her credit-the world makes it very tough for women to advance to this rank.

Hear, hear, Sara.

Some more thoughts!

Wouldn’t it be AWESOME if Fernandes came and addressed the student body and said:

“I support you in your quest to get your views heard. Go ahead and rally for a new BoT decision. I will be behind you all the way, whether as provost or as your next president. I want this culture of fear to stop. I just ordered security to stop following me everywhere so that I can be more open and accessible for you all. Your communicating your wants and needs will be my first priority.”

That would make us love and respect her immediately.

I think both the faculty and students have this wrong. The next president doesn’t need to be handpicked by the fac or students. It needs to be handpicked by the BOT because they are the ones who determine the path of Gallaudet. If the students and faculty were really concerned about how Gallaudet would end up in the future then why dont they start going to BOT meetings?

Never once in my 4 years at Gallaudet did I see another student go to the BOT meetings other than the SBG Pres/VP GSA Pres/VP and one or two BNB writers. Never saw other students there. How come? Then students have no right to complain if they all of the sudden care about their future now. I suggest they start focusing on getting better grades because the faculty’s comments about Fernandes making them pass the failing students rings a bell… The faculty couldnt get their students to pass classes and students cant pass classes and they want to determine the next president? Gimme a break.

And Ricky Taylor… Fernandes has done a great job the past 6 years and she has been proactive and I did not want her as president but you have to admit she did a good job at running the university and cutting some parts of the budget so we could continue to shift our focus towards academics. And Kimmel is a great administrator. She brough the Heller Erhman Law Firm program onto campus. She has been incredible at bringing in new programs for students while all you did was harrass young boys at Benson Hall. I really think you need to get a job and stop making a mockery of our Deaf community.

Harassing? Again, slander is the best option you can do.

Don’t you realize that the students cannot have the access to the Board of Trustees because the President’s Office has to approve your presence first? So in other words, you are not allowed to attend the BOT meetings without IKJ knowing why you re there.

That’s how it works at Gallaudet.

It has nothing to do with me harassing young boys as you wanted to defame me, *********.

R-

Let’s not make comments about the BoT’s accessibility till we understand more about how they open or close their sessions to the public. Students typically are not allowed in BoT meetings. And what do we know of the University’s Constitution? Not much. We need to show more support for SBG* and GSA** and GUAA*** members in helping us all understand the true nature of Gallaudet administrative policies.

And, FYI, Ridor is more than several bars higher than a lot of awful people I’ve met in the Deaf community–sure, he can be quite offensive but he’s also brave enough to function as a channel through which so many anonymous people want their views heard. And his comments always seem to force people to react, which can be a good thing.

Without dissent, there can be no real understanding of our values as a community, and I admire and applaud Ridor for his efforts at getting uncomfortable and unpopular perspectives heard/read by the community at large. If you really can’t stand his talk, don’t lower yourself to the level where you insult him back. Just do something constructive in response, like, show more support for gay advocacy, or show more support for the Gallaudet community, or show more support for higher deaf education, instead of continuing your mudslinging with him :)

Let him throw the mud and let us gather up the clay that settles through the mud and build wonderful vessels of deaf life from it. Some of us are diggers, some of us are builders. I’m glad we have a digger in Ridor. We need him around to keep us on our toes.

*SBG-Student Body Government (undergraduate political body)

**GSA-Graduate Student Association (graduate political body)

***GUAA-Gallaudet University Alumni Association (alumni and community organization)

Many people said that JKF is not even nice to students in Gallaudet University or not even said hello to them.. OH PLEASE! That is very silly! I don’t even have to say hello to many people on the campus whenever I walked pass by them. Leave her alone! I believe that she will be wonderful president. As long she is DEAFFFFF!
I heard so much about her and I am sure of it that she will do fine to become president in Gallaudet. She will support all of you guys.

NO no no NO… I REFUSE, as a deaf person, to be even compared, sized, or spoken for by someone like Ridor, this piece of **** does NOT represent me in ANY WAY.

that being said, Fernandes was elected, if that incites a temper tantrum from the student body so be it, we’ll see what happens in a few days. the BoT decided Jane was the best candidate for the future of Gallaudet, lets see how it goes,

but don’t you DARE think for once that some obese, disgusting, troublesome, and infantile attention seeking garbage like Ridor speaks for the whole. He speaks for himself alone.

Spoken like a true bitter little boy — calling names is what you do the best, eh?

Let’s face the truth — stick with the argument instead of focusing on my appearances — why are you so worried about the way I looked? Get a ******* life.

R-

GALLY, the truth is that Jane is indeed deaf. But she is not in touch with the current views of student body, faculty members and alumni of Gallaudet community. Jane is not a good administrator. Check White House’s PART report about Gallaudet being ineffective. Whose administration was this?

You cannot deny this — Provost Jane K. Fernandes was the academic CEO of Gallaudet — she was responsible for “INEFFECTIVE” stamped on Gallaudet.

On other hand, stick with the issues — don’t try to use people’s appearances, intelligence or English skills to put people down — it does not make you much better than anyone else!

Cheers,

R-

(From Washington Post) “Jordan wrote in an e-mail after the announcement that the board had considered a tremendous amount of feedback and would not revisit the decision. He added his own strong endorsement of Fernandes, praising her experience as an administrator and scholar.”

You called this impartial? Shouldnt the chair be saying this?

-BJ

The students are representing what University is meant to be a part of Deaf Culture and Deaf Mecca. I do not see Jane Fernandes involves in “melting pot” and withdraws herself from students and faculties. It is very important that University president be involved in students, faculty, campus lives. I do not see she do that and she is cold toward people.

For the protesting reason. They must have a very good strong/political points why they not accept her being University president. They need to be aware that they need to LOOK at her skills and admininstration skills, not her personal issues with the students.
I have noticed that PHZ and KQ have a lot of favorism for Gallaudet. They are very rebellious groups. They need to grow up and be opening to something different like they need to be ready for REAL WORLD - applying being part of hearing world and where they work as part of hearing world.

*whistling*

Ok, time for me to say something.

I have two different feelings going on at the same time. While the fact that we are protesting for a better president is somewhat justified - it is honestly inevitable, for JKF will be our president…

JFK has a stellar resume and more importantly, a good relationship with the BoT. They are the ones who donate loads of money to Gallaudet and therefore, they get to decide who gets to prance around the campus in the lovely “Super PREZ” suit.

Not to insult JKF, but at least - upside: we won’t have to see her jog across the campus. By God, I just hope she does us that favor. She’s just too annoying to look at.

P.S. It’s PKZ and KG, not PHZ and KQ.

Adam– I do not know you but i absoutley agree with your article. I’m willing to see how Jane carries out her presidency, although she may be “cold”. I believe she will be a good leader–and I was inspired by her acceptance speech where she says she’s a “quiet but strong leader.”

Just how DEAF do people want our president to be?

I am posting my comment that I posted on ridorlive.com but apparently, my message is not there (either it has been deleted… or it has yet to surface).

So, what I have to say after reading his comments on ridorlive.com regarding Adam Stone

__________

Ridor,

You make no point on commenting that Adam has a cochlear implant has something to do with his so-called “objective” views on Gallaudet University’s selection of JKF as the 9th president. Your commentaries are losing ground. I am even amazed with your thinking sometimes and I am even astounded with how many deaf people are like you. You guys disappoint and mortify me greatly.

I am a Deaf and deaf individual myself and what I would do in this whole scenario is to GET FACTS straight without jumping over the fence and starting the madness. I am not saying that we should give up or not let our voices be heard, but there is definitely a better way to deal with this significant matter.

I am calling Gallaudet University a Zoo. Perhaps, we should give Animals Crackers to the protestors because they just look like ‘mad’ animals to us.

Cheers to Washington,D.C. We just built our second ZOO! And, it’s free, but donation is greatly appreciated: Animal Crackers, please.

What a madness!

Oh, and one more thing - this is for Gallyprof, It is good of you to clarify these things.

Thanks for particpating in this discussion. We really need input from teachers and administrators in this discussion. The situation is very grave.

Oops. my apologize, not meant to misspell name PKZ and KG.

Suggestion: Why don’t you just ignore Ridor and focus on the issue at hand? If more people ignore Ridor, the more mature our discussions will be. His comments are seriously taking over the net… literally.

I think Adam has done a great job reporting on what is really happening there. Students don’t like JK because she is strict, enforces the rules, and holds all Gallaudet students and faculty to higher academic standards. Without higher academic standards, a degree from Gallaudet is cheapened. When students graduate without being able to write a correct English sentence, it reflects on the quality of every degree ever earned at Gallaudet. I worked hard for mine, and I want it to mean something, both in the Deaf and Hearing worlds.
JK may not be the warm and fuzzy president some students want, but they need to accept that the real world isn’t warm and fuzzy. They will spend the rest of their lives dealing with people, some of whom are cold, some not. Personality has nothing to do with qualifications, and JK is clearly the most qualified. Students who refused to accept JK as the president are being immature, and not helping the image of Gallaudet and/or the Deaf community to the world at large.

Greydog, you ROCK!

Perhaps most of us (the ones with sense that is) can safely agree thus:

Jane Fernandes is President, life goes on…..now how about that pizza I was about to order.

You rang?

Here comes the pizza to your dorm door!

I actually was thinking that if the students have right to vote for the University President like we do vote for the US President, not only Board of Trustees. BoT have too much favorism and ignore the students and faculty voices concerning for the University’s future.

One thing that I think the students needs to focus is how to define a successful university administrator. I’m afraid that I don’t have enough information about I. King Jordan’s history of accomplishments during his term or the politics at Gallaudet, but rumors are swirling around that the rate of students graduating are declining and the university is not doing enough fundraising to expand their academic programs or departments.

For example, when the president of GWU joined the university in 1988,
undergraduate student applications have increased from 6,000 to over 20,000. Its endowment stands almost at $1 billion and they expanded their law and medical programs in their 18-year period.

I know I may be comparing apples and oranges, but the question here that I think everyone should ponder: what kind of administrator does Gallaudet need to repair their shortcomings? I haven’t read anything about the qualifications of the three finalists, so I can’t comment on who is the best candidate. Just that I’m witnessing a lot of smoke about the cultural and social issues of the deaf student community, but no fire on how Gallaudet can improve the educational advancements for its students.

Johnny i dont’ think you understand something bro.

there’s a lot more to adminstration than just getting up every day, going to work, then heading home to bang your significant other and sing a lullaby to your kids. these people keep the school running, keep the gov’t pouring in the moolah so kids can get their programs. OH and another thing, it’s the administration that makes it safe to allow putz like Ridor to attend the school and be the way they are towards.

The president doesn’t have to deal with the students, simply has to deal with public relations, be the person to bring home the bacon, so you can have your lovely rides to the metro station every day. Jane Fernandez may be cold towards the student body but she’ll do her job.

The student body has SBG =) that’s all they should need. wow, if you could make everyone happy that would be great, but that’s in a perfect world. No such thing sorry.

Supposed Gallaudet is trying to grow the number of students, therefore not enough professors with good ASL and not enough deaf professors. In few years, 75% of faculty/staff will be retired!!

As I sit back and watch the whole situation unfold, the bigger issue lingers. It’s not about the personality of the new president. (Okay, partially). It’s not about her impeccable qualifications. We all know that already, from the beginning. In fact, “Better President Now” slogan is a bit embarrassing but I digress…

It is truly about a vocal minority that feels underrepresented. The ones that love, embrace, and live the world of American Sign Language. There are many degrees of fluency but the truth of the matter is that the new president is *not* a representative of the true core of Gallaudet’s being. Deaf community is multi-layered but there is a vibrant community of deaf of deaf, deaf schools graduates (including oral deaf schools), and deaf people whose identities have been sculpted by total immersion into stronger sense of deaf beings. That includes those that survived being the sole mainstreamed students, taking classes with very bad interpreters, or going to deaf schools that weren’t challenging enough.

The students do not want a reenactment of the DPN movement. (A few, maybe for the euphoria factor). They truly feel deflated. Disappointed with the future leader of Gallaudet. THAT is a very plausible reason to express a strong dissent. It’s more of, “Enough of limited communication access. Enough of putting up with just adequate representation of leadership. Enough of feeling marginalized and patronized. Just ENOUGH!”

I know the new president has every intention of making Gallaudet an all-inclusive deaf university. She truly understands and values the core of Gallaudet’s being. After all she is just like many of us who grew up oral before learning ASL. She will *make* sure Gallaudet continues to be a signing university. Hey, she is even the architect of Gallaudet’s new 8 strategic goals. She is an ardent supporter of the construction of the new Sorenson Language and Communication Center. She believes in the continuity of ASL and Deaf studies. And yet… in our eyes, she doesn’t represent that. THAT is why people are protesting.

It is no fun to be in that position, especially when she has so much love and passion for Gallaudet.

The BOT made a decision based on her credentials and her abilities to lead a complex university like Gallaudet. But, what is really going on is how offended many of us feel to see a representative of us that is so “inaccessible.”

How ironic is that, people? How we crave to have total access to things in life? And how many of us fight hard to pave the road for the future deaf and hard of hearing people that will tread behind us. I know Dr. Fernandes is doing that, too. But is she the right ambassador to say, “Communication access is the key, let us all unite!”? I know I can honestly say she isn’t. But is she qualified to take up this presidential task? Yes. That’s the paradox.

Gallaudet alumni and supporters, please keep in mind that if you do not give back to Gallaudet, you are hurting the students. There will be serious repercussions for not supporting the University and its need to sustain the future generations of bright and talented deaf and hard of hearing students. So, get involved. Speak up. But do not go against your alma mater in terms of giving and showing your pride. After all, you’re not giving TO the new president.

http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp.....p;b=176789

By Bren Stern

good blog, adam..
I found this message from friend’s away message this morning. I thought it’d good idea to share it with you with that advice.
———————————————-
apparently Gallaudet University picked the one candidate that some students universally abhor. To those who are rallying, I have only this to say:

He’s just institutionalized…The man’s been in here fifty years, Heywood, fifty years. This is all he knows. In here, he’s an important man, he’s an educated man. Outside he’s nothin’ - just a used-up con with arthritis in both hands. Probably couldn’t get a library card if he tried…these walls are funny. First you hate ‘em, then you get used to ‘em. Enough time passes, it gets so you depend on ‘em. That’s ‘institutionalized’…They send you here for life and that’s exactly what they take, the part that counts anyway.

students, let’s move on… JK will do fabulous job!

“He’s just institutionalized…The man’s been in here fifty years, Heywood, fifty years.”

Your point being?

Adam, I think you’re incredibly brave. Kudos to Adam and DeafDC.com for allowing everybody to freely share their opinions on this forum!

Gallaudetine, can’t handle my way of thinking? When I posed one, why is that people attack my appearances, not my arguments?

For once, stop bashing me for who I am, try to bash the arguments itself.

That’s what I did these days.

Juck Fane.

R-

Ridor,

arguing with you or any other ignorant deafie like yourself, is not worth it. you haven’t earned the respect from anyone to argue your comments and thoughts.

why? well for one, you are a hypocrite. “That’s what I did these days.” just after you called me a little boy. Oo and secondly, every time you come up with something it’s totally biased and you don’t welcome different views…. bah why am i even wasting my time. =( yer still a disgusting fat pig.

Agreements and disagreements aside,

I am glad to see this open dialogue taking place. It really reflects a wide range of people’s perspectives and opinions on the presidency and deaf cultural values.

I am not saying anyone is right or wrong.

Bren posted a link, which I went to and read his 2004 article. He had great intentions in posting this link. If you read his article carefully, you will understand the gist of his objective in sharing his article with the community.

We are tearing the tight fabric of the deaf community apart by creating this very ‘deaf divide’ in the uproar of Gallaudet’s Selection of Jane Fernandes as the 9th president. We still can make sure our voices are to be heard but one way or other, we will not go anywhere if we allow this “deaf” divide swallow us up inside and outside.

I am not saying that Fernandes should or should not be the Gallaudet’s 9th president, but if we want to do something about this, there is always a “democratic” approach to take up as Bren pointed out in his article.

Let’s hope students, faculty and staff members, the community at large think throughly and carefully over this and figure out what are the next logistics to deal with this matter.

that’s where you missed the whole picture, jbh.

you think i’m ignorant. nothing is far from the truth, i just acknowledge your arguments but i do not HAVE to accept it at all. i reject it. that does not make me ignorant at all.

i called you a bitter boy RIGHT after you attacked me first. i do not bash anyone else right away. don’t distort the facts. calling me a fat pig will not make you look good. one funny thing, i lost 30 lbs lately and in the months to come, i lose another 50 lbs, you’ll still call me a fat pig — can’t win anyone. you do the best things, hiding behind the screen and call me names since i do not know who you are. it comes with the territory, really.

dan, you’re right. it is tearing the fabric of what is holding the deaf community — for years, we had to put up with lots of bullshit from different groups who claimed credits for this, that and there — I hope you and Bren are right about taking a different approach to find a solution.

but if you talk with the students (who was involved with the SBG) and the faculty members about the Provost’s claims to work for deaf-centric issues at Gallaudet — they will tell you many stories where the committees’ requests were overruled and ignored repeatedly.

i think it is safe to say that the majority of students, faculty and alumni is fed up with the lies perpetuated by jane and irving.

r-

Ridor, so who do you prefer to be president of Gallaudet and what is your deepest respect for that person?

okay.. IKJ just said “Jane Fernandes was chosen to be the President of Gallaudet University, Not a Leader of the Deaf Community.”

hmmm what’s that tell you? try to pump those neurons, it’s not hard.

DPN was a goal and we all had our eyes set on, a goal and an organized reason to protest, we dont’ have one now.

Jane Fernandez is the President of Gallaudet University…. end of story.

I wonder where does NAD stand with this decision? Galluadet and NAD indeed are very important to our community and culture. Can we believe a oralist background is satisfactory enough to represent and preserve the very “core” of our culture? If Laurent Clerc was alive today, how would he respond to this uprising turn of events of our precious Gallaudet?

Johnny - that may be true, that Jane was chosen to be the president of the university, but the thing is that whether IKJ, JFK, and the BoT likes it or not gallaudet belongs to the Deaf community and the presidents becomes a representative of the Deaf community. That is why students from RIT/NITD are giving opinions (disclaimer: I am an alumni of gallaudet), and varying other people from walks of life feels invested in this decision.

whoops the above comment was for JBH not johnny. my bad.

Gallaudet is an instituion founded FOR the deaf. IKJ isn’t exactly what you call “PURE” deaf but he chosen at the behest of the students protests, even though the elected president had a much better Resume.

IKJ has done “almost” nothing but Public Relations since he was put in office. He doesn’t police the actions of the students and the faculty, he has people handling that (OMGZ! that’s like….. the provost!)

the Deaf community is an identity not an institution.

the article that bren stern posted is the very reason why i decided to go ahead and post this.

the Silent Protest– Two weeks ago at NTID, students gathered together holding up ‘I am tired’ signs for one week to protest on communication access, signing in public places in NTID, which as been an issue for many years.

NTID is a place where all forms of communication takes place because as part of RIT, it is a mixture of deaf/hearing world. Guaranteed, there will be students signing, sim communicating, talking, etc. Yet, we have students gathering together to protest on communication access because the majority of them feel that signing in public place especially in NTID is what makes the environment ‘deaf-friendly’. And I think that is an excellent idea.

NTID is a deaf college, it is not a deaf university because there is only ONE, and that is Gallaudet. Now say if JK was to be the Vice President of NTID, it would make MORE sense for her to suit that role because NTID is a place where all forms of communication is acceptable.

As for Gallaudet, it is DEAF university represented by DEAF person who represents the audience, and whom the majority of the audience favors. It is the only ONE Deaf University and it represents all of us.

JK is a wonderful woman because she IS smart and she KNOWS her stuff but as a President, we need the big ‘D’ and that is not JK.

She can assume the role of a Provost.

Oh yes.. i almost forgot to add in my previous statement,

Keep this in mind….. the idea of Gallaudet may Belong to the Deaf community, but EVERY year during Appropriations, congress decides to keep us running. =)

what are you going to do if the congress decides they can’t afford to keep Gallaudet up and running? Protest them?

uhhh to onewhowishes2express…. JKF is deaf. Oo

onewhowishes2express, you are referring to someone like a HEARING!!! Gallaudet University is mostly majority Deaf! but RIT/NTID is totally different story!

I’m out delivering boxes of pizza. Adam, can you please send us an update? I have not heard anything new. Thanks.

jbh - well from my perspective if a president is unable to win support from her/his students, faculty, and staff, then I’m not sure how successful s/he will be with the United States Congress in obtaining funding. As for if the appropriations decides to cut funding, then we will cross that bridge when we get to it. The next president needs to have ability to obtain money from other various sources so that we won’t be crippled if the US congress decides to cut funding. Again, if she’s unable to bring together the University behind her, how is she planning on getting money?

It’s her job to make sure that money won’t be a problem. it’s not her job to buy cakes and donuts for angry students.

(sigh) lookit, this is how the things work… you got the top guy… then you got the vice president, then you got the cabinet, then you got people below them and people below them, blah blah blah blah, each has a power of their own and a job to do. the end… understand as you may, but this is reality, a concept that’s missing in colleges and drama ridden populace. I bet you think the president of the united states is king and all decisions are made by him. heh

I agree with Adam Stone’s blog piece.

IMO, this whole protest thing will simply collapse on itself. I don’t think this will get any real national sympathy since, as Adam and I have said, a deaf protest against a selected *woman* deaf president? It’s not like we’re dealing with a hearing president. What doesn’t help is when these deaf students protesting out in the front gate and a news crew spot a poster that says “She doesn’t say ‘Hi’” and report it in a nationally recognized newspaper…which would be the Washington Post, btw.

Nice going to the person who put that poster up.

Better plan these things better so they don’t look like a bunch of monkeys if they want to try and get JKF to step down and restart the whole process again. But that’s not likely. This is not a DPN2. Other than that, JKF credos are quiet impressive.

jbh - bush as king - are you sure you want to use that as a metaphor, grin! He’s as close as you can be to getting to a king. That wasn’t the point - you’re right, JKF will have some support from her staff - but she is the face of gallaudet. If people feel her work relationship with the faculty and staff is not up to par, will students want to come here? Will high quality faculty want to teach? If JFK does not listen to students and fac/staff then why should they be coming to Gallaudet? Not only does she need to show the concept that she is able to bring the community together, she needs to show that she will address all the concerns that students, staff and faculty have.

I’m just talking about JKF herself as a president elect - I’m not on campus, so I am not sure what’s happening with the protest, and how things are shaping up there.

Johnnie, I think the best candidate was Roz Rosen, Glenn Anderson and Ron Stern which I clamored since last summer. They are in “touch” with the Deaf Community.

Can you tell me if Fernandes has visited any local deaf organizations, without an obligation from the University?

R-

Jane Fernandes is the President of Gallaudet University.

end of story…

My deepest respect? Umm, one who is upfront and honest about the vital issues that may impact the community and beyond.

As a former student at Gallaudet and currently alumni, I noticed that the administration is very determined to install policies without consulting anyone else — then released its PR hounds to thwart anyone from protesting. It did not happen once but frequently.

What we needed is a honest leader who acknowledged the negative and positive outcomes of Gallaudet University and beyond. JKF and IKJ are not the ones.

R-

Ridor, why not look at Fernandes’ resume and see if she participate in any organizations?

Remember for those who have issues, concernings over campus/college life, education, diversity goes to Student Affairs and SBG. President is responsible to work with congress and fundraising to support and keep Gallaudet ALIVE or else Gallaudet will be forever gone and history be lost.. Provast is the role of administration/academic. SBG is to work with the administration to change policies and rules on campus.

I am posting this to make it clear that it’s not just students who are disatisfied with the search process and the selection of JK as president. There are legitimate and serious reasons for these views. Gallaudet needs someone who can LEAD the community, not divide it.

May 2, 2006

MEMORANDUM

To: Board of Trustees (BOT, Members of the Presidential Search Committee(PSC), The University Community

Fr: Professional Education Programs (PEP) Faculty
Richard R. Lytle, PhD, Chair

Re: PEP Unit Faculty Resolutions

At today’s regularly scheduled meeting of the PEP faculty unit, members of the PEP faculty passed two resolutions.

1)“We support the work of the PEP Diversity and Field Placement Committee and their written response to the Action Plans for University Strategic Goals One and Five.” (see memorandum dated 3/31/06)

2) “We, the PEP Faculty, support the PEP Diversity and Field Placement Committee’s memorandum dated April 24, 2006, concerning the Final Presidential Candidates and Gallaudet’s Strategic Diversity Initiative. Furthermore, we the PEP faculty believe there are serious concerns about the integrity of the search process; therefore, we respectfully request that:

1. Dr. Jane Fernandes step down as President of Gallaudet University, and
2. That a new search process be conducted.

I also want to point out that Ridor’s argument that policies are installed without feedback from the university is weak. The SBG has been really bad and weak. They have to kiss Mary Lott’s ass to get anything done so what makes you think that they can get anything done on campus and hello only one team ran for SBG this semester. Why didn’t more students get involved? If more students really cared about Gallaudet they would be running for SBG and trying to change the way things are done at Gallaudet.

Also as to your old response ridor, yes you did harrass me talking about BJs all the time. I was uncomfortable but didn’t do anything yet now I look back and I wish I did because you were practically harrassing me. You really do need to stop causing all of this. JKF has good credentials and did a lot as provost, you just implied so yourself when you say she implemented policies. Uh thats what the provost does. They implement policy that will improve the university and to be honest I am not surprised that the fac/staff doesnt like her because that is Jane’s job to throw down the iron fist and make sure the university runs, and apparently some fac and staff prefer doing it their way instead of following JKF when she is simply trying to be a good adminstrator.

Really I am tired of responding to Ridor. He can do whatever he wants, I just hope people stop listening to him. He is like the Rush Limbaugh of the Radio. We need stronger liberals to speak up against neo-right wingers like Ridor. Will someone step up?

Ridor’s a liberal, so it’s better to compare him to the wacko leftists like Cynthia McKinney.

Ridor wasn’t slamming people! He was merely stating the facts, being very straightforward. Obviously, you can’t handle his brutal honesty.
Why don’t you just take it with a grain of salt!?

So it goes –Kurt Vonnegut
*shrugs*

Go to Ridor’s website.

He insults Adam, calling him a borg. How’s that not slamming people?

He isn’t stating facts, he is stating opinion. The facts are this: Jane has been provost since 2000 and a lot of students don’t agree with her policies yet the honors program has improved and she has continued to bring in more intelligent students and has been a good rep of the community criss crossing the country representing Gallaudet at the Regional Academic Bowl competitions and meeting many students.
And yes I can handle his brutal honesty if there was any. I simply cannot put up with idiocy.
And no Ridor isn’t a liberal. I consider myself a liberal, liberals stand up for the small people while the neo-right wing nuts cause havoc and make up stuff to anger people and that is exactly what Ridor is even though he has liberal beliefs, he sure acts like a right wing nut.

Hahaha!! “take it with a grain of salt?” if i had a dime from every time i heard that.. i’d Buy gallaudet and do some kicking.

now, Jane Fernandes has an impressive resume, she may be a little kookie, but what difference does it make? the entire freshman class is obligated to shave their heads, so therefore the rest of the campus is missing a few frenchfries from the happy meal too! anyway, Jane Fernandes has a good resume and has done her job as a provost, give her a chance. =) either way yer stuck with her. =)

Jeez. Enough already people! It’s clear that Ridor is only fanning the flames so people will read HIS blog.

I think people need to start ignoring people like Ridor and Ryan Commerson. If the Deaf community wants to stay alive and grow, then we need to become more inclusive, not exclusive like how those two want it to be.

And for the love of God, a protest sign with ‘She doesn’t say “hi” enough’ ?! Excellent way to make us look reasonable, guys!

adam - you have been quiet throughout today and yesterday. what are your thoughts as of now?

I have checked Ridor’s web site, and to be honest with you, I prefer his web site to this.
Yes, yes, yes I shall ye leave! buh bye! mwah!

*bows as she exits*

“So it goes” –Kurt Vonnegut

P…. Oh really you considering yourself LIBERAL???????????? So tell me what that really defines to you as a liberal?? maybe i think you are conservative - Republician who is always too narrow mind…

P said: “And no Ridor isn’t a liberal. I consider myself a liberal, liberals stand up for the small people while the neo-right wing nuts cause havoc and make up stuff to anger people and that is exactly what Ridor is even though he has liberal beliefs, he sure acts like a right wing nut.”

Excellent point. I retract my original statement.

Dr. Donalda Ammons should be a president. Everything will be definitely BETTER.

I agree with Bren Stern.

I’m very liberal as things go by. Me asking for BJs? Now that is slander and I may joke about it from time to time but to ask for one? Please don’t delude yourself, P.!

I already checked Fernandes’ participation in organizations — she’s not member of NAD and so on. Not even one local organization! She pretty much alienated the community whom she claimed to be part of!

P., despite your accusation, I’ll explain about implementing policies — you do NOT implement policies without CONSULTING the community members! Often, she would implement then try to force others to adapt to it. That si not how it works for a college/university. Get it?

R-

Actually, I think the right wing nuts would take deep, personal offense to being compared to Ridor-boy. :)

The three finalists for the Presidency of Gallaudet University, the only university for the Deaf in the world: one has no doctorate and no university experience; one has little to know administrative experience and one is the academic leader of Gallaudt and she’s never taught. Can’t you do any better than that!

I said this in Bobby Cox’s “Better President Now” blog and would like to reiterate that students had an opportunity to speak up when the whole process started in January. There were forums for undergraduate and graduate students and only 40 undergraduates out of about 1,100 showed up and only 6 graduate students out of about 450 showed up.

Something’s up here - people aren’t taking responsibility for their own actions (or lack thereof) in January and *now* they’re expecting other people to take action for them?

Considering that the rally/protest happening at Gallaudet is not being represented in the majority says a lot in terms of apathy among the students. The students you see standing/sitting/camping at the front gates of Gallaudet are the ones (in my opinion) that truly care. Apathy starts in the upper echelon of any organization. If students don’t have pride in their university, it speaks volumes. I fear the future of Gallaudet in the hands of Jane.

My question is– does the most qualified automatically means the best fit?

I think everybody needs to sit down, relax, and celebrate that there is a deaf president, and a female at that - thats two bold strokes alone.

I think the entire thing reeks of fishbowl menality (or crab theory) - Whereas Jane can communicate easily with both deaf and hearing and could theoretically help bridge the gap between the two cultures, those that are demonstrating seem to want to forcibly isolate themselves so that they can happily sit back and complain that “hearing people don’t understand them” and that “oral people are out to get them”, even when the opposite is true.

Its easier to live in denial than to face change.

Stone -

I know Ridor is plotting to take over Gallaudet. He just feels it’s easier to do with Ron Stern in the saddle. He has videotapes of his devious plotting.

It is misdirection he is doing here. Keep an eye on him. That Ridor may be ugly but he’s clever in his disguises.

Oh yeah, on May 6th, keep an eye on GUKCC. Something interesting will happen near the water fountains on the 3rd floor.

IF Mrs. Fernandes is so unskilled on the job as people claim then it will be evident very soon after she takes over at GU. IF that happens, then folks have documented cause to petition the BoT for her dismissal.

The smartest thing Irving’s admin. can do right now is appoint the Provost who will take over for Mrs. Fernandes when she takes Irving’s place. This new Provost will be some one who the students adore, trust, and feel they can connect well with on all levels.

Think about it…do you see the Superintendent at School for the Deaf (read, Irving) on a daily basis, in the hallways running the school day? No. She or he is aloof from the day to day at the school, working out in the morning, having breakfast with gov’t reps., flying here and there to collect funds raised, in the office signing papers, etc., etc.

The VP, Dean (read GU Provost) he or she is much closer to the students day to day. You visit the campus, get an award, get in trouble, etc., and you’ll hear from the Provost long before you hear from the Supt.

It’ll mend a lot of fence now if Irving works on naming a Provost-to-be who every one in the GU community adores, trusts, and can relate to on all levels.

Irving is doing a great job of ruining his legacy, as we know now that he fixed the whole search process from the start through to its finish.

GU overall is in deep trouble with the Feds as it has been reviewed for continued support and it came up with a very unfavorable rating.

The Feds. are on the hunt for money and GU uses a huge chunk of taxpayer money and it’s not producing good results.

If students are truly upset with the whole situation now at GU they should express themselves to their state reps. in Congress, as the whole GU program isn’t sitting well with them right now.

i think jane is dealing w. the students with “the let them eat cake” attitude. not cool. remember dpn took 3 days to build up steam. give the kids time.

The best APPLICANT was Sam Supalla: deaf of deaf of deaf. Deaf accomplished brother. Sam himself is highly regarded and accomplished: Ph.D., author, researcher, national presenter, bright, young, university professor, etc. Why was he rejected by the Committee? Too qualified; Fernandes could never have prevailed with him in the mix. Glenn Anderson: phony, immoral, political, etc. Glad the Committee had the wisdom to eliminate him early on.

One Who Knows stated that the best APPLICANT was Sam Supalla. Then he elaborates. Then he describes Glenn Anderson in a negative way but doesn’t elaborate. Since you are “one who knows”, please elaborate on why you think Dr. Anderson is phony, immoral and political. Those who are so much in support of him need to know too.

He is known in Little Rock as one who stirs up trouble, but pretends to be a peacemaking leader. He almost always signs-only but has good speech but does not use it in order to be “Deaf politically correct”. He is PRO DEAF, ASL, etc…but his wife is hearing and signs very little. He has a “thing” for the young girls at ASD and has quite a reputation. He’ll agree with whoever is influential, pat the right people on the back, and do what it takes to advance his cause: GLENN ANDERSON.

I’m so sick of the schism between the oral and the deaf communities—at the end of the day, whether we take off our cochlear implantd or our hearing aidd, we’re still deaf.

I can’t believe the attacks on Fernandes’ background because she grew up oral–god, this is why I rarely interact with the deaf community.

Anderson is as qualified if not more so than the three finalists. Who doesnt have a few skeletons rattling around in their ivory tower. I know Sam Supalla too. He is uniquely qualified no question about it. Did he apply?

Remember that Gallaudet majority is White.. and small percent of diversity..

Noelle: I lost my faith int he deaf Community a long time ago. I mean, I started at a Mainstream University in California and had it in my head that I would meet people like myself for a sense of unity. But what did I find? I sense of seclusion and much distrust. My entire experience was filled with betyral, libel, drama, unjustified rumors, alienation simply because I was hard of hearing. I really enjoyed meeting the teachers though. =)

my thoughts are thus: Every deaf person on campus is 10 years behind the general population. therefore you got a 21 year old acting like an 11 year old. i’m sure none of those people realize what it takes to run a university nor can they think beyond this little circle they have trapped themselves into.

those who grabbed life by the nutsack and decided to do soemthing with their lives instead of condoning to irrational behavior such as this nostalgic tantrum we see at the front gates of Gallaudet would earn much more respect and recognition from their peers.

The deaf community is an indentity, NOT an institution.

JBH, you not the only one who feels that way. I do feel the same cuz i grew up in hearing world and was mainstreamed, and raised strictly disciplined. Most deaf grew up living in dorms at Deaf Schools and they are not well-disciplined.

oh- my ****** god!!! i have been in cognito and just learned that that evil witch got POGU. YUCK!!! why her?? she’s so… impersonal….so cold. this is absolutely rediculouse!!!!!!!!!!!!

In defense of Ridor (Ricky Taylor), he just happens to be one of most outspoken deaf blogger. RT have much right to his thoughts.

Ridor never sexually hassle young men. He is a strong-willed individual. No questions about many people consider Ridor to be a lighting rod and dwells on negativism, not making the middle grounds. Ridor have an excellent taste in men. He would go after middle-aged guys or young studs in respectable manners.

We need most is the middle ground how to resolve the Gallaudet recent havoc - the truth was the unjustifable arrest of Ryan Commerson which results in igniting the bonfire with gasoline and led to the mass student protest.

Ridor tried to say that the IKJ adminstration have been manipulative in many ways. He told the truth. The IKJ adminstration really didn’t approach the SBG and other student body with respect. They always found the way to undermine the remaining power of the SBG and other student advisory boards. IKJ packed his own choices with the Board of Trustees and worked along with the Provost to pack the like-minded students to various student advisory boards to their own likings.

So the IKJ adminstration and Provost JKF could tweak and manipulate students into submissive beings to do their biddings.

We really need the full-time SBG president and vice president, not the part-time. Many universities have the SBG president running the student body adminstration without being a full-time student. So the SBG president and hir student adminstration could be vigorously represent the student body with best interests.

I had been at Gallaudet for past 22 years. I dropped out and returned three times as a student over two decades. I witnessed the pre-IKJ and IKJ periods.

Why many Gallaudet, MSSD and KDES buildings have been seriously detoriated over past 18 years? I once was shocked to see the duct tapes over the over-worn carpets in the MSSD academic buidings few years ago. That was totally unacceptable for any university physical facilities to be present in such a manner.

I had seen alot of impressive deaf instructors to be asked to leave the university. For example, Tom Kolb, deaf instructor for the History and Government Department. Alot of students enjoyed his classes. I observed his clases which I was truly impressed with his teaching style. Ever many international students were well-instructed in the American government and democratic system. Guess what? Kolb was asked to leave, because he lacked the Ph.D degree. PLZ!

Same thing happened with Dr. Simmons, father of three deaf Gallaudet graduates, Alex, David and ….. (Oops, I could not remmy his name). Dr. Simmons was one of the top and respectable botany specialist in the entire world. Guess what? Dr. Simmons was asked to leave because Gallaudet University did not fight for his visa problem. Simmons sadly returned to South Africa. What a waste of talent among our deaf academicans.

Provost JKF kinda ignored the majority of regular students and spent alot of time on the honor students at the expense of large numbers of people. I never seen JKF addressed the fallacy of deaf education how come many students enrolled with serious academic skills deficiency.

When I returned to Gallaudet during the 1995-8. I never seen JKF around the campus or meet her. Why??? I was very socially and politically involved with Gally people and stuff over years.

Ridor would be a better journalist if he do the fact-checking before posting anything on his blog. At least, he never claim about his own blog to be journalistically-intergity. Matt Drudges is no better than Ridor.

Ridor really have alot of potential to be a well-versed journalist someday. I would hire him to be the society reporter if I have my own deaf multimedia enterprise someday. I always have my own dream of creating the deaf news team.

Before closing this reply, I was once a victim of Ridor’s innuedos and whisper campaign. Guess what? Bad karma boomranged back to Ridor for what he done to me. I already forgave him. I must be really fair to Ridor for what happened at the Omega bar back in 2001. Ridor got real upset with me for so-called snatching the hunky guy under his nose. Ridor unjustly accused me of stealing his guy. I wouldn’t blame him at all. I would feel the same thing. Ridor really was very generous of introducing me to the hunky guy, then the guy’s eyes and mine clicked over. I felt somewhat bad for Ridor since he spent the entire evening with the hunky guy. In the whiff, I walked away with this guy.

Ridor is really a good guy in many ways. No question about him having some flaws. I hope that Ridor will find someone, who truly love, caress and mentor him to be more opimistic and loved person.

I am thankful for Ridor’s persistent campaign against Dr. JKF, but not agree 100 percent to his style. Why didn’t the IKJ adminstration and Fernandes reach out to Ridor and invite him to talk out and make some kind of agreement? I know that Ridor would not sell out himself short. He have his own principles.

The Trindad and nearby neighbors of Gallaudet University area constantly complained to me about such a lack of Gallaudet involvement within the community at large. The IKJ adminstration seems ignore the entire neighborhood and not really bother to send out any representatives for the H Street Revitalization projects.

I have a long list of what the IKJ adminstration have done and not done for the university and the deaf community at large.

IKJ- cultural icon? PLZ! IKJ hurts us, deaf people in many ways. IKJ usually spoke with voice in other countries and gave the wrong impression that all deaf people ought to learn to speak orally. The parents of deaf foreigners insisted that their offsprings to learn how to speak orally, not sign language. IKJ and JFF really misrepresent the deaf community at large in many ways.

At least, I am not afraid of any reprisals. My motto - “Don’t Tread on Me!”. That’s why I enclose my real name. Is our country really on the path to fascism or still a true republic?

Robert L. Mason (RLM)

This is very audistic attitudes you guys are talking about.

You’re the reason what is wrong with the community at large. You should cast yourself into the void where nobody knew who you are.

R-

that’s funny ridor, cuz I think it’s YOUR kind that happens to be the problem with the community. Jesus, If I was at gallaudet I’d rather hang with the Honor’s program too! (i was in the honors program back in the day.) I find more sense and rational in the honor’s program than I do in teh community at large.

I’m sure Ridor is a nice guy and all but quite frankly his dimunitive and biased behavior is going to give him nothing but a fat lip.

This is sad to see. Deaf people bashing on other deaf people. Those who support jane, fine go on with your life. THose who dont support jane. Fine go on with yours. Dont forget we have a community to maintain. where there unity. Stop bashing on each other and move on. I know someone will bash on me for this, but know what? a person who bash on me for this clearly has no time to do other things than sit around and moan.

Good day
A

I am a hearing student studying ASL and applying to an interpreter preparation program in Arizona. My Deaf Culture class has kept us up to date on the GU president appointment process. From the links we’ve been provided so far, most allign with the protest movement. I want to thank Adam Stone and others who are courageous enough to present their point of view. I feel students should become involved in issues that affect them and their educational process, and I don’t deny the right to protest. I just like seeing both sides of the story because there are ALWAYS two sides. Good luck to you all! I will stay tuned in.

Wow, as a hearing person reading about all this, I’m shocked by this kind of behavior.

It’s interesting how imporant it is for Deaf indviduals to have their own identity and at the same time forget that they are taking it all for granted. Taxpayers and us hearing folk make it possible for your University to continue and this US vs. THEM (deaf vs. hearing or hard of hearing) mentality is astounding! So much for appreciation.

good luck to all of you in your accomplishments.

One Who Knows,

I lived in Little Rock for over 25 years and I have not once heard anything about Dr. Anderson being a troublemaker. As for his wife, I would prefer to leave her and his family out of this. However, I will say that I know the family personally and his wife signs well as do both of his children. So is it impossible to be “pro-Deaf” but fall in love with someone hearing? Perhaps the young girls have a “thing” for him instead of the other way around. I find it hard to believe that as much as he traveled to Gally for BoT business and as much as he travels for consulting work (in addition to his regular job) that he would have any time to devote to something so childish.

His cause has always been and probably will always be the Deaf community. He has tirelessly given himself to many deaf organizations (grass roots as well as political) at the expense of his personal time.

Sounds to me like you have some personal issues against Dr. Anderson. If that is the case you should leave them out, they are slanderous. If you can cite factual reasons why his credentials were not good enough for the PSC and spark a valid discussion of the situation at hand then do so.

I can guarantee you, I am “One Who Knows Better”.

Audistic? Oh, come on!

I am sick and tired of the “oral people are evil–wants to destroy ASL bit.” When you start attacking Fernandes for her oral background, I automatically disregard your arguments–as would most orally deaf people.

I think I love Noelle O_O !!

I was reading this blog site and I realize this that arguing with Adam Stone and Greydog along with few others are worthless. It’s like discussing philosphy with Adolf Hitler. You are all morons! What’s more, to bring Ridor’s sexual orientation along with describing appearance is a cheap and shameless tactic to win argument which itself made no sense anyway.

I prefer being referred in likeness of Mao, thank you very much. =)

I’m curious, if so many are against Fernandes and want to restart the process, what do they have against the two remaining candidates? Are they essentially against anyone the BOT might appoint? Do they have one or more candidates they’d like to see appointed?

Maybe this is my ignorance, but of all the colleges and universities I’ve attended, I’ve never seen the president socialize with the students. Maybe those protesting Fernandes should try to better understand the role of Provost and maybe why it wasn’t appropriate for her to socialize with them. Or, is the true issue the fact that she was raised orally?

RLM, supposed you hire Ridor to be in your business, he has to be always neutral when he is writing journals.

Adam, so whats new about today at Gallaudet, update and new article to write???

Why don’t you (the students) give Jane Fernandes a chance and see how she does for 1 year before you make a judgement. Everybody deserves a 2nd chance. I have had many countless chances from the police cuz they were too kind ;oP For those 200 students (give or take)…..you ought to pack up and go home. See if that makes you feel better. Go focus on your education and stop being cry babies over nonsense and pointless thing.

Tim

Quinlan - you made an excellent point. The daily schedules for university presidents are almost booked all the time and rarely they have time to socialize with the faculty. That happens everywhere - So, I still don’t understand how demanding a president to be born deaf and sign ASL has to do anything with improving their academic programs. I’m going in circles here and start to wonder if it’s pointless.

Wow! *Continues eating popcorn*

Katia, can I join you? Let’s order pizza. Popcorn really isn’t *that* fulfilling.

:)

You rang? We have specials for today. Would you like to hear them?

Agreed! How about a medium sized pizza with ALL the toppings??

cool lets all have pizza i’ll bring the Prophylatics.

Johnny, You are absolutely right about the newsreporters ought to be neutral and objective. If you know what the society reporter really meant. It is equalivent to the gossip columnist who scoop on the scandalous aspect of someone else. Ridor would be superbu at inside scoops on alot of people without any kind of fear from reprisals. Lousie Parsons and another Hollywood gossip reporters are the excellent example of powerful figures in the pre-60s Hollywood. Many stars and studio heads have been scared of those fearsome reporters whose created by the stars and studio heads themselves in the first place.

Robert Mason (RLM)

RKR and One Who Knows…

Yes! Sam Supalla applied and was not considered. How amazing that an international leader with so much to offer would be overlooked. I believe that in addition to rallying for the position to be re-opened, Gally people should petition for Sam to have the position. He would take Gallaudet to new heights… and bring ASL to a position in the world where it has true academic value.

Many of the older GU faculty are jaded, negative people who fight any and all imposition of authority. Never satisfied with a Dept Chair, Dean, Provost, or President. They have been at GU too long, their world has shrunk, and they have become embroiled in minor power struggles and clique wars with other faculty and administrators. Most have little interest in the good of the institution, except making sure it doesn’t get in their way.
Jane Fernandes has been disliked from day one by people who felt she was appointed by IKJ without him kissing the rear-end of the key faculty members (Marshall, Weinberg, etc.). These sorts –more politician and Machiavellians than academicians– have continued to foment unrest towards Fernandes. With these sorts there is no persuading them otherwise. It comes down to power, of which they fortunately have little.

Gallyalum: Does Dr. Supalla have significant ADMINISTRATIVE experience at the post secondary level? He has the terminal degree, yes, and education experience but…

Yup. Sam has significant ADMINISTRATIVE experience and a long history of success in higher education.

WOW!! I feel badly for Jane Fernandes as I knew her pretty well when we were living in Honolulu. She may not be a “people” person but she certainly knows her stuff on her job as she got the school for the deaf and blind in Honolulu out of the hole and it is now successfully run with many students from the islands and other Pacific islands.

Let us hope things will calm down before long.

ILY

Jo

Gallaudet Students: Please Grow Up!!!!!!!

I work on campus and have been both annoyed and amused by the antics of a few self-involved spoiled little brats. Clearly Gallaudet students have way too much time on their hands.

I have some news for you silly punks. In the real world, students get no say over who becomes a college president. None whatsoever. Please grow up and get a life!

Attending a university like this is a privilege — even to those who don’t appreciate the privilege. But I guess some people just love to cause trouble.

Ridor: Does using the term of insult “hearie” make you feel like a tough guy? Because it only makes you sound like a clown. There are numerous “hearies” on the Gallaudet campus whose sole job is to feed and wipe the asses of ungrateful munchkins like yourself. Do you make a point to insult every hearing person you come into contact with or just those who disagree with your lame “opinions.” (From your posts, you’re obviously no member of MENSA.)

Yesterday, I saw an ugly girl in SAC wearing a T-shirt bearing an insulting likeness of the new president. She must be the same sort of moron who thought vandalizing the football field and trashing the homecoming hotel were funny ideas. And pulling fire alarms? Didn’t that stop being “cool” in the third grade?

Gally Apathy: Since when did trashing the campus translate into taking pride in Gallaudet? Gallaudet seems more like a reform school filled with brain-dead unruly chimps than a university of people intent on educating themselves. Do all deaf people disdain learning as much as you and your pal Ridor?

After reviewing this blog, I have yet to see a single articulate cogent argument against the new presidential appointee. I HAVE, HOWEVER, OBSERVED THAT THE GALLAUDET STUDENT POPULATION IS MOSTLY WHITE AND CLUELESS AND PRIVILEGED AND CODDLED BEYOND BELIEF, SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THEY ARE MOSTLY BOTHERED BY THE FACT THAT FERNANDES IS AN HIPANIC AND A WOMAN.

I truly hope to see the full prosecution of the prime troublemakers, especially the no-dick who blocked the side entrance with a moving van this morning. Do you really think that the working men and women on this campus will indulge you little peckers much longer? I can assure you they will not.

Amused beat me to it.

Gallaudet is a *university,* not a country. As with every other university and college in the United States, **you don’t get to pick the president of your university.** Please realize that this is not a democratic process here; you *don’t* really have a voice in this decision. It is a financially- and credibility-driven decision. You may not like the person, but, for the sake of decency and humanity, respect the office. If Ms. Fernandes is truly the incompetent ambassador and administrator you claim her to be, then let her fall on her face herself. Market economics is a wonderful thing.

Selection committees do their job: listen to all voices and communities and then make the best decision for the university. Students do their job: complain and moan about everything under the sun, go to classes, get degrees and empowerment, and then go out to contribute to society. You say you want a better president? Then go *become* one.

Frankly, most of you students haven’t even *earned* the right to protest yet. The youngest Gallaudet 18-year-old freshmen were **born** in 1988, the year of DPN; if you are a senior this year, chances are you were five or six years old at the time. Grow up a little (er, a lot), pay your dues, and then come back and contribute to your university.

Please stop assuming that every decision to be made revolves around you.

“BPN” is a mockery of everything Gallaudet and the Deaf Community stands for. You may wish that “the world is watching” again. This time, however, the world is watching you self-implode with your backstabbing and whininess. This is not how you show the world that “Deaf people can do anything.”

It occurs to me that future students of Deaf Studies will be asked to compare and contrast 1988’s DPN and 2006’s BPN. They’ll look at the political reasons, discuss cultural ramifications, gnash their teeth over possible causes, and psychoanalyze each of the candidates within an inch of their lives. When the dust clears, they’ll make the following discovery:

Sour grapes.

God bless whoever pulled Dr. Supalla’s iron out of the fire. I can’t even imagine what level of mudslinging our community would have subjected one of our finest scholars to.

I have been watching the Deaf community slowly divide during past five years. Now we see it backfiring,because we are not unified.

What is missing from this movement? In my opinion, it is wealth. Deaf people need to create their own wealth before we can have true power over GallaudetUniversity. I am talking about creating our own fat bank accounts including trust funds. I am talking about becoming philanthropists ourselves. Bernard Bragg is an excellent example of Deaf wealth. He donated money to both Gallaudet University and CSUN. But we do not have enough Bernard Braggs in this generation. We can change that for our next generation.

There is a cycle of many Deaf people, including myself, graduating from Deaf schools or programs only to become teachers for Deaf children as comfortable source of income within our comfort zone of familiar environment. We need to challenge our young Deaf generation to seek wealth with new occupation roles and become philanthropists. With this wealth they have better chance to climb the ladder in our government system as congress members or Senators. This will have a great influence on Gallaudet University.

Furthermore, with political power and wealth, the Deaf people will be able to run Gallaudet the way we see fit. Right now our mentality is that we have to fight the oppressor by rallying. It may bring short term attention. It is just a little fire to put out. I think the new generation of Deaf leaders needs to revaluate what is going on and invest their time to create true wealth and political powers. This is one way to truly break the plantation mentality in 30 years. This will break the plantation mentality.

With new Deaf wealth, the Deaf young leaders will be able influence the government, which is full of paternalistic hearing fat cats with our wealth and political contacts. When this happens, the plantation mentality will disappear.

There are very few Deaf leaders, besides Bernard Bragg, creating new wealth or are on the way to creating new wealth such as Rob Rice, Ben Soukup, Marlee Matlin, Ron Stern’s children, David Smario, Greg Hlibok, Josh Mendelsohn, and the list goes on. We need more Deaf students to consider creating their own wealth. It will create a powerful, new Deaf generation. There is a great website called Deaf Professionals,www.deafprofessional.net, which is a wonderful tool for young Deaf people to find Deaf mentors and learn the ropes on how to create their own wealth.

USA is a free county. Yes, we do have paternalistic attitudes going on, but we have the freedom to just keep going utilizing the laws such as ADA to create our own wealth, then we can take over Gallaudet as main source of funders and politicians, removing the paternalistic culture.It is up to us to make a difference in 30 years!

Lets get off the plantation!

Julie