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.