My question: Considering the controversy surrounding your ascension to the role of President of Gallaudet University, how do you suggest to repair the schisms in the community over your qualifications for the position?

My question: Congratulations Dr. Fernandes, on your appointment. I’m just one of many people who have been following this story closely, and admittedly, blogging about it.

I am curious whether you have also been following this story via the media. More specifically, what sources have you read/watched? Are you also surveying the blogosphere to see what key stakeholders, such as students and alumni, have expressed about this controversy?

I think you are in an incredibly tough position, and I fully sympathize with that.
If more than a majority of the active students, faculty and staff at Gallaudet submit proof that they do not feel comfortable having you take IKJ’s place, will you consider resigning?

Dr. Fernandes, congratulations! As a Gallaudet alum, I’m especially offended that you were called “not deaf enough” when you were deaf, had a deaf parent, and had a deaf sibling.

How can we come together as a community and as a university if people insist on dividing amongst themselves and judging others?

I mean, it’s awfully ironic that they would presume to judge you, when it wasn’t your choice to grow up oral, and you did embrace ASL. What does this mean for all the students who are coming to Gallaudet with little or no deaf culture or ASL exposure?

I have known Dr. Fernandes since 1992. She has always been a woman with vision. She helped change the Hawai’i School from the Deaf and Blind from 12 children to over 70. I hope she is as successful with Gallaudet University. I believe she will be!!

Noticed that last few questions in live chat asked about vote against or support for Jane, where should i find the information?

Hello. I am currently an undergrad at Gallaudet. I would like to clear some things up. The media as misinterpreted the protest on campus. Dr. Jane Fernandes’ deafness is not in question. The protest is purely about the board of trustees and the fact that people of color running for the presidency were not given equal access as were white. Also their is much racism on campus itself. Students of color are treated different, are punished more, and looked down upon. Dr. Jane Fernandes has been the lead of the diversity program on campus and with her leadership the program has been less than successful. The students and some faculty and some graduate students as well as some interpreters do not feel Dr. Fernandes will make things better. The protest is to require to demands of the board. 1 - the search and president selection must be reopened and conducted in an equal and fair manner. 2 - no faculty/staff will be punished for their involvement in the protest. Dr. Jane Fernandez is welcome to re run, we are not about blocking her from the presidency, we just want an equal and fair selection proccess and the BEST possible person in the presidency. That is what we, the protesters, are protesting for. And before you assume I must be a person of color, I am not and I speak from what I have seen on campus. Also the board of trustee completely ignored the student and faculty body when over 75% of graduate student, 80% of undergrads and over 50% of faculty think that Dr. Jane Fernandes is an unacceptable president. We the students have a right to have our voices heard and since it was not heard by the current administration, we are voicing it to the world. We want the BEST president for Gallaudet and we want them elected in a fair, equal manner with everyone’s voice being heard. Thank you.

Kevin, you said: “The protest is purely about the board of trustees and the fact that people of color running for the presidency were not given equal access as were white.”

this is NOT true. You know this is not true. Yes, one of the groups who dislikes the decision is focusing on ethnicity (and frankly, all along that would have been the better strategic move).

The vast majority of the discussions I’ve seen have had little to do with ethnicity or “color” as you put it.

regina, cool down, if you not student you should respect the currently students at Gallaudet.

Johnny: weren’t you JUST stating that everyone had a right to an opinion??? I am an alum. I have my own right to my opinion as well. I am very calm, Johnny, merely pointing out that I don’t believe it’s true that it’s a protest about ethnicity…. again, that would have perhaps been a more successful campaign, but wouldn’t have gotten us Stern.

Stern doesn’t have a Ph.D. That’s the problem. If a college president or an university president doesn’t have a Ph.D., then in the academic world, the institution is looked down upon.

To get the necessary funds and backing, the president does need to have a Ph.D.

The president also has to be able to deal efficently with hearing people, and quite frankly, I can’t say with confidence that there are many Deaf leaders out there who understand how to play the political game. So we shall see how this plays out…

Regina,

I am a highly active member of National Black Deaf Advocates, who have been working closely with Diversity Now! Coalition and I can tell you that Stern was *the*, if not one of, major reason we opposed to the process. We didn’t say anything about JK or Steve Weiner- they had met all of the minimial qualifications. For people of color, seeing a white man with no doctorate degree *now* and no higher education administration experience to be selected as a finalist over people of color with much more qualifications- such as Dr. Glenn Anderson– was the camel that broke the straw for us.

Elisa, I have a serious concern for these students camping outside in front of Gallaudet University. I am appalled at the fact that these students have no regard for their safety, especially what with the crimes occuring in the neighborhood. What amazes me even more is the fact THAT IKJ AND JKF BOTH HAVE YET EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR STUDENTS’ SAFETY NOR HAVE THEY SENT ADDITIONAL DPS OFFICERS AND CARS TO MAN THE FRONT GATE!!! I would know because I was there the last couple of nights and I’ve only seen at least two DPS officers!

The parents of these students better take action against IKJ and JKF as soon as possible!

I HAVE: Good point. I would hope that the administration hasn’t been blinded by the protest to its’ essential responsibility to the safety and security of Gallaudet students and campus.

I’m fine, and you????
I’m from Brazil.
I’m deaf
But I learn ASL very much good!!!!!

this is the most appalling situation at Gally. I never graduated from high school, but obtained my GED at Denver community college when I was 50yrs old. I BELIEVE STRONGLY TO BLEND ENGLISH AND ASL IN ANY COMMUNICATIONS. DARN IT, GIVE JANE FERNANDES A CHANCE AND SEE HOW SHE’S DOING DURING HER TERM. The protesters make me feel ashamed. they looked so immature and more like a bunch of nerds. I have 5 generations of large deaf siblings. oh come on and grow up!!!