By Bobby White
I never expected to write this entry but the situation on campus over the last few days has forced me to act. I have not been active in the protest up until this point. I can no longer stand idle aside and watch my beloved University be held hostage by a stalemate of opinions. Last Friday as been reported on many blogs, Mr. David King sent a letter to the campus via Public Relations. I read the letter and was moved to act. I responded to David to let him know that I was ready to stand up with him and defend our right to an education at Gallaudet University. Many others expressed their support to David.
Sunday I received an email, a call to action if you will, and I showed up at a meeting at 7 pm with a group of others including the Vice President of the Gallaudet Student Body Government (SBG) who had just resigned his position because of conflicting views on the lockdown of HMB. This group of students held different views on the protest, some of us supported the protest, some didn’t, and some of us were neutral on the issue or just didn’t care but as a group we all agreed on one thing. That our education at Gallaudet must continue regardless of our stance on the protest itself. We believe that the takeover of Hall Memorial Building (HMB) on Gallaudet campus must come to an end.
We met with the SBG President last night and he was very receptive, heard us out, and was very cordial in his interaction with us. I cannot say the same for the protestors at HMB who attempted to force us out, telling us that we didnt belong and told us to “Get Out!” After our meeting with the SBG President, a letter was drafted for the student body.
We wanted to send this letter via regular channels at Gallaudet University but because many complained of our use of the Gallaudets Public Relations Office, we contacted Campus Activities instead. They told us that we could not distribute our letter through Campus Activities because we are not a formal organization of Gallaudet with a Bylaws.
So here I am today, asking that if you believe in education and the strength of the Deaf Community to join with us to end the take over of HMB so that our education can continue without interruption. We believe strongly in our First Amendment right to free speech and as such believe the protest has a right to continue but the lock down of HMB but stop now.
The SBG President stated that the HMB lockdown was to get our attention and I say this, “You have gotten our attention we are now taking action!”
Our letter to the community:
We, The Concerned Students of Gallaudet University, would like to alert the entire student body that we strongly oppose the barricade of the Hall Memorial Building (HMB). We are concerned that students who want to continue their education are being denied their fundamental rights to education at Gallaudet University. The barricade of the building which primarily provide offices for the faculty members and classrooms, directly affected that academic activities of the University and therefore we consider the action as gross violation of our rights.
We would like to emphasis that protesting is a choice and therefore our choice to attend our classes should equally be respected. The most relevant question we need to ask ourselves is: “Why are we at Gallaudet University in first place?” Ponder on this for a moment
We are at Gallaudet to earn a quality education. Many of us come from near and far, many of us are single parents, many of us work-study and pay our college education from our pockets, some of us are international students whose stay in college depends largely on their grades, many of us have struggled so hard with VR, and if our grades fall, the risk of losing VR support becomes serious. We strive so hard to earn an education, an opportunity that might not be present to us everywhere. Gallaudet is one of a kind and will remain unique to us.
This dream and inspiration in us that informed our decision to come to Gallaudet for education is about to be scattered and dashed. Our future ambitions and career goals are at stake and being held to ransom by protesters who did not send us to Gallaudet. It has been said that your destiny is in your hands. Only you can decide what you want to become tomorrow by your actions of today. By coming to Gallaudet University show that you want better tomorrow, better education and better future. This protest obviously interfering with our ambitions and we are voicing out our right to earn education.
We implore the faculty and staff who are part of the protest to put the ultimate priority of their obligations to the students in consideration.
The Concerned Students are still holding consultative meeting and we would like you to send your comments and concerns to us at gallystudents@yahoo.com.
Keep your eyes open for our announcements of meeting dates, time and venue.
Bobby White is a graduate student in the Department of Education at Gallaudet University. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History (Gallaudet Class of ‘06). Bobby is also a community HIV/AIDS educator.
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83 Comments
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I’m a little confused. It was my impression that there has been alternative locations scheduled for classes?
It’s not as if you can’t attend your classes…. is it?
It’s more than just showing up for classes. It’s also about access to resources that are available in HMB - computer labs, equipment for research, the genetics lab, and so on. I could list all of the ways that this HMB lockdown has affected more than just classes.
This may be jumping to conclusions but I honestly think these protesters who can’t see the forest for the trees and don’t understand that their actions affect not only the evil Administration but also their fellow students. This was not very well thought out and to deny their fellow students a right to their education is defeating the purpose of this protest.
Perhaps one could even say that the protesters in HMB are acting just like the Admin/BoT who refuse to listen to their constituents and their concerns when it comes to their *education* that protesters should abandon HMB and look for an alternative.
Guess they kind of enjoy their taste of power.
Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Nice going FSSA/students/whatever/whoever in “control”.
This guy is to be commended for his attempts at analysis, as is everyone else here. He, however, is clumping the whole opposition together. Talk about showing a deficiency in critical thinking!
If anything, that the FSSA isn’t acting alone is indicative that dislike for the current administration goes farther beyond just those who comprise the FSSA.
This Bobby White is not for the University or the FSSA, yet McConnel is okay with his individual speech? No such thing as general applicability when it comes to this McConnel guy.
The world has never been made up of one voice, and a blogger–of all people–should have known that.
Certainly bomb threats disrupt classes.
Do you know who might call in a bomb threat? The administration did as one of their tactics to get the protestors out. Ironically, they were the ones who disrputed the classes this morning.
We as a group are not here to place blame. We believe strongly in the First Amendment and Free Speech and as such the students have a right to continue their protest.
We are simply asking them to end to lockdown of HMB, as for the bomb threats lets stick the facts as we know them. We cannot blame the administration for these tactics nor will we blame the protestors.
We will ask that if your the one making such threats be aware that such threats are a federal offense and cary stiff penalties and that in the interest of a peaceful resolution to please stop such violent tactics.
Allright, no blaming game here. You’re right about the federal offense. How do we get them to stop calling in the threats? They may not realize that would be costly to Gallaudet. I think it costs about thousands of dollar each time police brings bomb-sniffing dog sweeps to the locations for possible bombs. So please stop those stupid false bomb threats. Thank you.
Why would students call in a bomb threat forcing the evacuation of the very building they are occupying?
Are you implying that it is the administration who is calling in the bomb threat?
What’s more,perhaps it could be a disgruntled student who want to return to his/her building to continue with the education?
Enough of the conspiracy theories. Bottom line, whoever is doing this need to cease and desist with the prank bomb calls.
Whoa! Whoa! I WAS and AM NOT implying anyone or the administration who DID call in the bomb threats. I was just trying to tell whoever did that (either it be administration or student or protestor)to stop doing the stupid thing. Like I mentioned in the previous posting, it’s costly to Gallaudet and disruptive of education and business can hurt Gallaudet. All I’m begging you whoever did and does such things is to respect and let us go back to normalcy, please. I have no object to protest as long as it is in the right place (neutral) like the famous Hyde Park in London where everyone can listen to and discuss with the protestors.
Damn it!! Where is editing? I realize that i have some grammar errors How can i go back and edite it???
I’ve seen that allegation, on malfoyLive and a few other blogs…I’ve seen a lot of stuff there…
Glad to know that you’re reading my blog.
goes on to say that people cannot live without it.
R-
I read it to keep track of where the misinformation comes from malfoy.
Regina,
I don’t disagree with you. They are lucky to have alternative locations for classes. However, who is the most affected? Our Graduation Enrollmemnt Program Office! They surely impede our business. Our work remains at a standstill for two days(last Friday and Today! We will be swamped with many applications and other paperworks when we are back to work. Gallaudet protesters, please let us back to work. Thank you.
I found a response to this letter from Carol Erting, a faculty member on another blog (graystorm.blogspot.com). Copying and pasting it here for the sake of further discussion…
Dr. Carol Erting’s response:
Dear Bobby and other concerned students,
Thank you for your message to the community. I want to let you know that several of us faculty have been working very hard to assist in the resolution of this very serious situation on campus. We have been at HMB with the protesting students since the incident occurred with DPS and frightened students asked faculty to be present to ensure their safety. Please understand that this is a STUDENT action, not an action by the Faculty, Student, Staff, Alumni Coalition (FSSA). The coalition announced during the protest in May that it would not interfere with the ongoing educational activities of the university. That is still the position of the coalition. A coalition as you know is made up of independent groups who share similar goals but may take actions on their own to achieve them. That is what has happened in this case. Some of the written statements have added to the confusion so it is not surprising if contradictory messages are “out there.” I am pasting a copy of a message I sent to the University Faculty officers yesterday. Please know that we are working diligently toward a peaceful resolution of the current situation so that classes may resume unimpeded, so that intimidation in all forms and toward all parties may cease on campus, and so that civility and respect toward all may prevail.
Here is a copy of the message I sent to faculty officers and their advisory group:
Colleagues,
Several faculty members have been trying very hard to convince the students they should leave HMB. Three of us met briefly with Mike Moore last night and conveyed that message to him. We told him faculty who were inside HMB were there because we are concerned about the students’ well-being. After the problems that occurred when DPS entered the building, students sent FSSA faculty a message pleading that they come to HMB because they were afraid. We have communicated repeatedly that we want them to leave the building. We made it clear to MIke that while the FSSA faculty support the students’ two demands, this is a STUDENT action not an FSSA action and that we are trying to convince the students they need to leave the building.
Thursday afternoon there was an impromptu meeting at Fowler Hall. Several faculty were discussing the lack of response by the BOT to the faculty report when two student leaders walked into the building and asked to meet with us. As we met, more faculty joined the meeting as did a number of students and a few staff. The faculty in attendance made it very clear to the student leaders who were present that we did NOT support a lockdown of the campus. We tried to explain why and convince them they had other, better options. As we learned the next morning, they made their decision to lock down HMB. That decision was made by the students, not by FSSA and not with the support of any faculty member I know.
Each and every one of us needs to do our best to help them understand and come to a resolution of this situation today. FSSA faculty are meeting this morning at 11:00 am prior to the noon meeting the students are having with Mike Moore, Carl Pramuk, and Debbie DeStefano.
Please consider coming to campus today to meet with the students and help try and convince them to leave the building. I think it would convey a very important message especially if faculty officers were to meet with them, listen to their thoughts and feelings, and help them understand why they should leave the building today, by their own decision. They expressed deep appreciation to Mike, Carl and Debbie for coming to HMB yesterday and for their willingness to have open, direct discussions with them.
Please come to campus and try tell the students that. Help them understand it is the right thing to do and why.
Carol
Please feel free to come and discuss your concerns and perspectives with me and with other faculty. We are here for all Gallaudet students. A university is a place that should encourage open and free discussion. No one should feel intimidated or fearful to take a stand and discuss that stand with passion, civility, and respect. This kind of dialogue is essential to a free and democratic society and we should all be very concerned about protecting that right and taking that responsibility as community members. Once again, thank you for your message.
Carol
Carol J. Erting, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Department of Education
Gallaudet University
Washingtion, DC 20002
carol.erting@gallaudet.edu
Yes, I sent the letter to Carol this morning as well as everyone else on my email list because Campus Activities would not distribute our letter. So we have been having to get this out ourselves. Since I am a Graduate Student of the Department of Education, she promptly wrote back to me as well as CC to everyone else on my list. Im suprised the email made it around so fast but happy.
I was also suprised to learn that the FSSA did not endorse the actions of the SBG. However we are still comitted in our goals to have SBG and the other protestors stop the lockdown of HMB
Props to you, Bobby, for speaking out. You have my full support as well as that of many others.
Paul Singleton just responded to Bobby White’s letter above, thanks to ASL Community Journal for sharing his letter with everyone.
Students:
You still have your education- I understand the Administration is relocating classes so they can continue today. The protestors are not stopping that- they support you getting your education. So, I don’t thinnk you need to be any more concerned now with this support from Admin and the protestors about your education.
Gallaudet is a place for education, sure, but it is also a place for getting an employment (check the missions, values and goals of the university) opportunity with college degrees awarded to you. Putting these two together are the main business of any university I know in America. If you thought you were going to Gallaudet just only for education and not being employable with a college degree, then it is not anyone’s problem but your own.
To trump someone’s employment issue with racism or audism is not a right of the Administration nor the Board-so please understand the whole point of this protest. The students want to be able to get an education AND be employable without “isms”.
Best,
Paul
http://www.aslcommunityjournal.com/blog/?p=35
Dear Paul,
Our issue is not with the protest in fact we are a diverse and unified group of students, some support the protest, some dont, others are neutral or dont care, however we are steadfast in our belief that the lock down of HMB is a logistcal and tactical error that should have been avoided.
By holding HMB hostage our education is being hampered by so many more reasons than just having a room in HMB for our classes. Our professors hold offices in this building, our school work, our records and everything else is now off limit to us.
Not only is the building off limits but because of the protest some professors are dismissing class while others are unable to hold effective classes because they do not have access to their offices.
The stress of this week is keeping many students from being able to focus on their school work and causing others to skip class all together.
While we agree that coming to Gallaudet offers so many more experiences than just a classroom education, we also believe that our voices on this issue should be heard and we are here to ask that the SBG move the protest out of HMB so that normal academic functions can continue while they continue to hold the protest and dialogue with the administration.
Again our issue is not with the protest but the method of protest!
Sincerly,
Bobby White
Concerned Student
Bobby,
You are absolutely correct. Education is very important and it shouldn’t disrupt everybody’s education whether they agree or disagree with the protest. The protest can continue in another format or on an alternative platform. But HMB represents one of the biggest building on campus that houses undergrad, masters and doctoral students, faculty and staff offices with computer rooms, equipments, and spaces to do their work or study. It was a mistake to hijack that building that day.
What protesters have done was to hijack education for their own selfish purpose however ideological it was it serves only to divide the community even further. And that community would be among the students who support the protest but not the hijacking of HMB.
The FSSA, SBG, GUAA, rogue protesters and such are continuing to divide their own community.
And I say this, I ain’t surprised.
Read..
The FSSA backpeddling?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.....dling.html
McConnell,
You may have good points in this response, but your tone is condescending. I don’t think it helps you get your point across.
I disagree, Shane. In fact, I think the hijacking of HMB turned the tide of public opinion against the protestors. Since Friday, a few blogs have popped up that were AGAINST the protest. There was nothing condescending about pointing out that the FSSA, SBG, GUAA, and rogue protestors are dividing their own communities. There are a great many conflicting issues related to JKF’s selection, and some of them are mutually exclusive. Just to give you an example: they say it’s not about her signing skills, but go on and on and on about how she can’t sign. they say it’s about a flawed process and MBI, but use exactly the same flawed process and intimidation to anyone who doesn’t toe their line. they say they won’t interfere with education, but won’t let a doctoral student into the building to get his materials. No, I’m not surprised either.
Curious Eyes,
Has the HMB lockdown increased opposition against the protest? Probably.
Are the protesters sending out confusing messages? Yes.
Are there protesters who are intimidating others who do not agree with them or remain neutral? Yes.
This does not detract from the fact that the protesters have legitimate concerns.
Oh, I agree! I wish that the protestors would respond to the administration’s attempts to involve them in fruitful dialogue about those very legitimate issues. Unfortunately, the protestors are sticking to their impossible goals of reopening the search process. It isn’t going to happen. I’m bummed at the protestors because this is their golden opportunity to really make a lasting, positive impact on Gallaudet, instead of this stupid tantrum.
Paul,
I must say that many people are very unaware of the graduate students that are in TRAINING for a future position in their profession. We do not go to school, simply to fill our heads with what our teachers say, but to access everything that our department offers so that we are best prepared when we graduate from Gallaudet and begin our careers. I am in the School Psychology department and having HMB being closed down does not allow us to access materials that we need in order to continue our preparation for becoming future school psychologists. Let me make it clearer by asking you this: would you like your child, or any child for that matter, to be evaluated or assessed by an undertrained/underprepared graduate? I can’t imagine anyone would and when we are unable to get full access to the education that we came to Gallaudet to receive, not only are we losing out, but so are all of the children that we may encounter in the future. Please think about that, too.
Good for you, Bobby! I applaud you for taking a stand against this extremism.
I am telling you, DeafDC.com readers who and what Bobby White is all about. He always have his own agenda!
Bobby White did not really outreach to the deaf DC community during the HIV Testing Day last summer 2006. He chose to reach the hearing gay community and IGNORE the deaf DC community for the importance of HIV testings. That was very audist of him, Bobby White.
I had the whole proof of what Bobby White done last summer 2006. Guess what? Bobby White got some sexual explict materials to clog my alternative Yahoo e-account to destroy the existing evidence of his email writing to the DC Gen-X listserv. Bobby White was “no-show” at several deaf GLBT events or gay bars within informal deaf gay gatherings lately. WHY????? Bobby couldn’t face his own doings to the deaf DC community.
I am telling you the truth! I challenge Bobby White and the DeafDC.com if they really commit to the ideal of freedom of speech and expression without any kind of censorship on this blog forum.
I am not for any extremist stuff, but we sometime have to take drastic actions to make things happen! Look at the American Revolution! Not the majority of colonists took up with the revolts against the Mother England til later in the revolution phase. Tories and Loyalists finally realized what the Mother England were doing to the American colonies. Whose fault within the ongoing Gally protest?
And you were looking for examples of folks getting attacked for speaking out against things? Here’s one RLM. And it’s you. COME ON! None of that has anything to do with the subject at hand (even if he did mention his HIV work).
I agree, regina. Ad homenim attacks against an individual who speaks a different mind does not solve anything. Except shine a light on the person doing the attacking.
I assume Bobby is one of those people who didn’t say hi to you? Get over it.
The point here is Bobby is a student, he wants to go to classes (for which he presumably paid), he supports the protest but not the takeover of HMB. And he is willing to publically announce that. I admire the guy already!
Thanks for your support. I am a graduate student on a full ride scholarship within the Department of Edcuation. A scholarship that I worked hard for.
Also in order to clarify any misconceptions as I have said before this letter is not my own. The top half of the post is my story but the letter was drafted by a Group of Concerned Students and we all have different views of the actual protest which isnt the point.
Many Thanks for everyone’s support it has been a hard day here at Gallaudet for everyone!
Ive already defended my actions that he accuses me of on another blog here when he attacked. Me I work for Deaf REACH let me clarify that I am currently a volunteer for Deaf REACH one of the few certified Deaf HIV/AIDS Counselor in the entire DC/VA/MD area.
My supervisors are well aware of my outreach activities to both the Deaf and Hearing Community. I challanged Robert Mason once before and will do so now.
If he is really concerned about my HIV/AIDS outreach performance that he is welcome to contact my supervisors at Deaf REACH.
Now back to the topic at hand!
I just noticed a discrepancy between Carol Ertig’s email and the FSSA statement:
Carol Ertig’s email:
“Thursday afternoon there was an impromptu meeting at Fowler Hall. Several faculty were discussing the lack of response by the BOT to the faculty report when two student leaders walked into the building and asked to meet with us. As we met, more faculty joined the meeting as did a number of students and a few staff. The faculty in attendance made it very clear to the student leaders who were present that we did NOT support a lockdown of the campus. We tried to explain why and convince them they had other, better options. As we learned the next morning, they made their decision to lock down HMB. That decision was made by the students, not by FSSA and not with the support of any faculty member I know.”
(See Allison’s post above for the full email)
FSSA Statement:
“The lockdown of HMB was not initiated or implemented by the FSSA Coalition. In fact, it occurred without the coalition’s prior knowledge.”
http://news.gufssa.com/2006/10.....ification/
Carol J. Erting says that the FSSA told the students not to lock down the campus before they took over the HMB. The official FSSA website says that they had no prior knowledge of plans to lock down the campus.
I respect both Carol J. Erting and the FSSA, but this needs to be clarified, retracted or corrected for accuracy.
My understanding is that Carol Erting and other non-student FSSA reps met with protesters in HMB during the lockdown. I was not there, but people have posted pictures.
Here is a picture FSSA faculty (including Carol Erting and Laurene Simms) inside HMB on Friday during the lockdown at http://photo.xanga.com/ladymuc.....photo.html
Though the FSSA never specifically frowned upon the hijacking of HMB because it will interfere with classes and such in their website. And now they are trying to get those protesters out of HMB?
As a clarification:
“Though the FSSA never specifically frowned upon the hijacking in their website…” until now.
The crux of my question was this. Why did the FSSA wait 3 days to come forward and explain that they didn’t approve of the protesters’ lockdown of HMB because such action interferes with the continuing education? Why did they not make it clear on the *first* day of the lockdown showing their disapproval in their website? Did they wait to see if this protest would actually work in getting the demands? Why the wait? But instead the FSSA waxed on with their letters after letters from contributors in their website showing support for the students’ action and protest by locking down HMB? Doing so makes the FSSA look like they are explicitly endorsing the protesters’ actions.
Shane, I am not here to try and be condescending. Rather, I am here to express my utter surprise in seeing the irony in all of this. And to speak of condescending, not yet a peep do we hear about the thousands of comments, letters and blogs who heaped condescending scorn and condemnation like sordid rain against an entire different set of population on campus do we chide them for saying such things…in such a tone.
I have said all along, this is everybody’s mess. This is everybody’s problem. Everybody is accountable for all of these problems stemming back 20 years to the present. Finger pointing doesn’t help. I have said time after time after time, people need to look for a win-win solution or else this will simply get worse. Everybody is guilty in making mistakes. Everybody must share their accountability with the rest of the campus population.
Already we have two camps of protesters, one who want to continue their education but protest IKJ/JKF while others want to protest but stiffle education in the process by denying those very same protesters in continuing their education, graduate research, studies, and work.
If you think about it. What I’ve said in my comments or blogs are comparatively mild to those who flamed on like no other.
If this sound condescending, I’m sorry but this how I see it, as do many others.
I…..am…..not…..alone.
This is a very serious allegation as a student of the Department of Eductaion I have the highest amount of respect for Dr. Erting and the Department as a whole but these questions must be answered.
I recently sent Dr. Erting an email asking for clarification and hopeful that one will be satisfactory to all of us.
Bobby, I did not make an allegation, it was an observation. Let me know Erting’s response when you receive it. I, too, respect Dr. Carol Erting.
Carol Erting is disagreeing with Tent City. She has a right to do so. FSSA is a coalition. The majority supports Tent City. If FSSA sells out Tent City and the protest, then FSSA will cease to be leader. The protest will go on.
Shane, excellent Watson work! Waston is one of fictional character whom underappreciated and overshadowed by Sherlock Holmes. Aha!
I already am very familar with the inner workings of the FSSA. Not really easy for the FSSA people to get together and say the only one statement. We are in the chaotic phase right now within the FSSA and Gallaudet community.
Many options within the protest activities were previously discussed thru brainstormings and heated discussions since last May 2006. The latest student actions probably done the lockdown without the FSSA’s approval or knowledge. The HMB lockdown took the Gallaudet community by surprise. The student leaders acknowledged that they secretly planned the HMB lockdown.
For example, I called for the systematic blockings of the President’s Office (IKJ) during the last summer’s FSSA meeting(s) during the brainstorming phase for the Fall 2006 protest activities, but FSSA never acted or agreed to my suggestion. That doesn’t meant the contradicatory message on the FSSA’s part. They apparently discussed countless options, but never formally endorse the latest student actions as what Ertings implied.
You, Shane, ought to send an email message to the FSSA contact person or Carol Erting to clarify her sayings what she really meant. Okay? Dr. Carol Erting is really a decent fellow.
FSSA - SBG link.
Today, Monday, Oct. 9, Dr. Carol Erting wrote an open letter saying that FSSA does not support the HMB takeover, and was unaware of the plan beforehand.
This is falsehood.
After the students’ took over HMB, FSSA sent a letter to the BoT on Friday applauding them for cancelling their agenda to focus on the crisis at Gallaudet. FSSA reveled in the fact that the Board was forced in this direction by students. FSSA saw the takeover as in their direct interest.
Now they are backtracking because many, many people are upset at FSSA and SBG for blocking their work and their education.
On Thursday noon at the naming ceremony, several FSSA key faculty members, including Drs. Bailes and Ammonds, were holding signs of protest in front of Washburn Building. They were a part of the highly disrespectful student protest.
There are rumors of key FSSA faculty members, like Ben Bahan, collaborating with Ryan Commerson in planning the takeover. Anyone who has verification should step forward. Inform the President’s Office.
The blocking of education by protestors is a “killer” issue for FSSA, as would be uncovering of faculty support of it. So they backtrack. It is an unlawful act to foment occupation of a building and to interfere with GU operations. Any faculty member found to have assisted it may be dismissed.
Hence, my blog, is FSSA back-peddling?
Even Bobby White and many others were completely surprised that the FSSA did not endorse the actions of the SBG. Simply put, the FSSA’s website gives an aura of authority in the endorsement of protesters’ action on the hijacking of HMB….until today.
Who else were suprised by this?
I was surprised too; however, keep in mind that the FSSA is a coalition. There are so many factors to consider and sides to appease before a decision can be made. It is unfortunate that they made the right decision three days too late, but it is the right decision nonetheless.
I understand it’s a coalition. That’s why it’s called “Faculty, Student, Staff and Alumni” or FSSA.
However, it doesn’t take three days to consider all the factors and sides to appease because they expressed back in May that they don’t want to see education interrupted as a result of the protest. They failed to make themselves clear for everybody on their disapproval of the hijacking of HMB on the very first day. There is really no good reason why it took three days to voice their disapproval on the tactic by the SBG to storm HMB like Normandy.
Ok…maybe that was a bit too vivid of an example.
The right decision will be to eliminate traitors from FSSA who sold themselves out to the Jordan-Fernie Cosa Nostra. David King and his terrorist bandits were already curbed out. After ceaning up itself FSSA, together with Tent City, will fight the battle until we won. Was I clear enough?
Im a little upset with FSSA also. Some of the leaders of the protest have also included the ‘Hate’ blog of Ridorlive as the place to go for info, expecially info such as private emails, confidential letters and such…all twisted to suit the blogger himself and to make him look like a white knight. I feel that, since they are alighn ed with this Ridorlive blog, they are now doomed to failure…
too bad!
Carl Pramuk, Dean of Student Affairs, also is a double agent within the Gally protest. He surely collaborates with the student protestors and pretend to be on the side of the Gally adminstration. Pramuk greased the way for the student protestor like Jesse Thomas for the BOT meeting last Thursday from Jesse’s writings on his own blog.
Carl Pramuk “PNG” several certain deaf individuals at the request of FSSA. He went somewhere last weekend outside DC. Don’t Carl Pramuk should stay at Gallaudet to resolve the current Gally protest due to his given postiton as the Dean of Student Affairs?
Pramuk is well-known for his triaugulation with students, faculty members and adminstrative staff. He would serve at the pleasure of some students, faculty members and adminstrative people and expect the favor in return. Pramuk hooverized the Gally campus for years!
Many Gallaudet people call Carl Pramuk “deaf” Hoover (resciment of J. Edgar Hoover, the former FBI director/dictator) for his extensive file records on deaf individuals from Gallaudet and everywhere. Pramuk still keep files on certain deaf individuals beyond expired years.
When I read about several students thanked Carl Pramuk for his role with the recent Gally protest situation. Pramuk used to be on the lower totem pole of Gallaudet staff roster and brownosed with particular fraternity for honorary membership and other deaf elitists.
Please make the note to the President’s Office and Paul Kelly about Carl Pramuk’s ‘double agent” antics. Pramuk deserve to be FIRED for his constant disloyal to the Gallaudet adminstration. Pramuk is the one, who played to both sides to enchance himself or save his own hide. *scoff*
Deaf Outsider —
Carl Pramuk was in fact on campus all weekend, along with Debby Destefano and Michael Moore. It is publicized on blogs and in newspapers. You have incorrect information here.
A good reason why comments, even mine, should be taken with a grain of salt until they can be confirmed and corroborated somehow.
All social changes/civil rights are messy. This one is no different. I agree that they should explore other options rather than resorting to a HMB lockdown. In other words, I’m all for social change within Gallaudet but again anything like this is messy. Look at women’s rights to vote, gay rights, (to name a few)–these were messy in the beginning . What I’m trying to say is that I do understand both sides of this issue, Bobby White’s and the protestors. I’m not trying to use this blog to publicize my blog but if you read my posting there, “Taking Back the Destiny” on http://www.theartfuleye.blogspot.com, this may help you to understand the intentions behind the students’ actions, though the lockdown itself would not be my style.
Hi Lonamstven! I recognize you from your enclosed pix on your blog website. I have seen you last time at the RAD Convention and your temporary Carlin Hall dormitory last summer 2005. Hope to see you next summer in Atlanta. Are you going there?
One thing is my real surprise about your …….. (which I do not want to spoil the surprise for others or take the cat out of the bag). Others have to check out your blog. I would love to hear from you via email - rlmdeaf@hotmail.com I do have my blog website, but haven’t written anything since last May. I am not a technical-savvy myself. :)
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
One of your “concerned student”, Mr King was linked to a vicious physical threat of mutilation at the GallyNet email list, using the fake name “Remonez”. Authorities are investigating his involvement.
The hatred you spew out against protestors disqualifies your criticism. Until you distance yourself from Mr. King’s attitude or fear-mongering, nobody will take you seriously. Your threat of lawsuit is so ridiculous. You want to intimidate and terrorize people along the instructions from Jordan and Fernandes.
Please, take a moment of time to think of this: they and their legacy of hatred and terror will be long gone and will be an ugly part of Gallaudet history, but you still want to study at Gallaudet University. Please, never forget that!
One reason why so many people refuse to take a stand against important issues is the fear that their name will be wrongfully smeared or worst.
Any allegations against David King or myself or any other member of the Gallaudet community who is brave enough to stand up will have to be taken to the proper authorities this is part of taking a stand.
We have accepted that!
We stand firm in our conviction that our basic right to Freedom of Speech should never be hampered but we also stand firm that the student takeover of HMB must end.
Well said, Bobby. Stand firm in your belief. And that can be done without violating the rights of others in the process.
No Bobby, the fear if from bloody retaliation from and insane administration which has no other mean to keep itself in power but terror, lies and intimidation. If you side with them, you will be judged with them. Simple as it is!
As I mentioned in one of the comments above I contacted Dr. Erting with my concerns about the contradiction in the information she provided to me and the statement on the FSSA website. She gave me a prompt response which I am sharing with you all now.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Good morning Bobby,
First, I want to say that I am very sorry that you and others were treated in a hostile manner and did not feel welcome to discuss your views and opinions with your fellow students. I have conveyed the information you provided directly to one of the students leading the protest and I assure you she was saddened by your story. We have a lot of work to do as a community and we all need to work together to achieve our goals. I know we can do that, but it will take time and commitment as well as honesty and integrity.
Let me clarify what seems like a contradiction between my statement to you and the FSSA statement you quote below. When several of us met with the students in the impromptu meeting I described, they were very frustrated at the BOT and the dismissive attitude they encountered at the BOT meeting. They were asking themselves (and us), “What can we do? What is next? We’ve been ignored so we have to do something that will get their attention.” The ideas they threw out included a lock down of the CAMPUS (HMB was never mentioned) and a hunger strike, among other ideas I can’t recall right now. As you recall, the students locked down the campus last May after the BOT announced the choice of the new president. We clearly stated that we were NOT in favor of that. We also clearly state we were NOT in favor of a hunger strike. The meeting was not a meeting of the FSSA leadership council which consists of two representatives from each group (faculty, staff, students and alumni). It was an impromptu discussion among faculty, staff, students and alumni who happened to be around. No decision can be taken on behalf of the FSSA coalition without approval by the leadership council. The FSSA name has been used incorrectly on some occasions. That is unfortunate but in the confusion that is inevitable in a situation like this, it happens.
It is my understanding that STUDENTS met into the night that night and the idea to lock down HMB came from that meeting. It was not a lock down of the campus, but rather one building. That particular idea had not come up at our earlier discussion with them. If it had, we would have advised them against it, as we did when they considered a full campus lock down. The students present at the impromptu meeting that afternoon did not inform us they were going to do anything; they were asking what should they, could they, now do since the dialogue they had hoped for with the BOT had not materialized. FSSA is a coalition of independent groups. One group can’t and doesn’t tell another group what to do. One group can’t control what another group does. When we can agree (through the leadership council), we take action together as a coalition. That’s how it is supposed to work.
Perhaps you want to forward this response to the others who were on the email message you sent me prior to this one. You wrote that many others have the same question and wanted clarification but only David King was copied on this message. You have my permission to forward this response to them. I am copying the Education Department faculty and staff as well as the Dean of GSPP since we all agree that transparency is very important, even more so now in this emotionally charged climate.
We will be having a Department of Education community meeting tomorrow at noon at the SUB Flex A and B rooms. We’ll have pizza for lunch and there will be an opportunity for discussion of the recent events and the current campus situation. I hope you and many more students as well as faculty and staff will be able to attend and express your points of view.
Carol J. Erting, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Department of Education
Gallaudet University
Washingtion, DC 20002
Matt Lockhart, one of the FSSA leaders just sent me this email and gave me permission to share it with DeafDC.com readers:
“I can vouch for the fact that FSSA had zero prior knowledge of students’ plans to lock down the HMB. Like Dr. Erting said, we discouraged them from locking down the campus when we heard rumblings about a campus lockdown - - we didn’t expect they’d lock down a building instead. The FSSA letter regarding the BOT on Friday was about the protest, not the HMB lockdown.
Actually, the HMB lockdown wasn’t planned at all, not even by the students. It took a few suggestions and then a vote among 300+ students at the SAC at around 9:30pm, and the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of locking down the HMB if the BOT didn’t respond to their request of an independent investigation in the search process by 10pm — the entire campus and College Hall were mentioned as alternatives. Best I can recall, there were no faculty, staff, or alumni present except for me and Julie. We happened to know about it because Julie was returning from her class late Friday night and we saw a bunch of students running from Benson Hall to SAC, so we thought we’d follow them to see what was going on.”
This morning’s Washington Post has an editorial which disagreees with the HMB lockdown and suggests that Dr. Jane Fernandes be given a chance:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01141.html
The Washington Post editorial was disseminated by the GU Public Relations office. Have a great Tuesday!
Let’s say the GU Public Relations office had a hand in this, the Washington Post still has editorial discretion to determine what goes into their newspaper, especially the editorial section. If there are underlying interests between both parties against the protesters that is mutually beneficial for the Gallaudet administration and the Washington Post, what is your conspiracy theory?
I don’t think the Wash Post knows where this letter came from, but then again, I don’t know everything. There’s no conspiracy theory, but there’s a friend in the PR office.
(I do have a conspiracy theory about the Redskins offense, though, but that’s a story for another day)
editorial
an article in a newspaper or other periodical presenting the opinion of the publisher, editor, or editors.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/editorial
It is the Washington Post’s opinion. I would assume that if the Gallaudet PR office sent the letter to them, they would assign the byline to the Gallaudet PR Office. If they simply took the letter from the Gallaudet PR Office and passed it off as their own, then that may be a violation of the newspaper’s ethics.
http://www.asne.org/ideas/codes/washingtonpost.htm
As for the Redskins, don’t get me started. ;)
LOL–
3 points against my Giants? Hmph…there IS a conspiracy in the Redskins.
As for the editorial, I think it was well written, but had a condescending tone to it.
There is no conspiracy that editorial did not originate with the Gallaudet University PR Office.
Many people really do not know that Don Graham, the current owner of the Washington Post newspaper and I. King Jordan are personal friends which they are active members of the “Federal City Council” private civic organization.
The public records of the Federal City Council are strangely missing from the DC Library or other places last spring 2006. Why????
At first, I dismissed the claims about the Federal City Council and IKJ connection. I found more and more substantive materials about the Federal City Council.
I dearly missed Kathleen Graham because she refused to let her personal relationship affected the newspaper’s decisions on newsreportings.
Donald Graham had restrainted Suzie, the WP reporter on her articles of Gallaudet protests. Gotta go now.
K. Graham was indeed one gem. After all, that’s why she was given the necklace depicting some t!t caught in a big, fat wringer.
That was the U.S. Attorney General publicly threatened Kathleen Graham with this infamous quote within the growing cancer on the Nixon presidency.
Was Mr. Mitchell, the U.S. Attorney General?? No one like Kathleen Graham! She was very supportive of culturally deaf people! Kathleen surely disowned IKJ if she was still alive.
Stop those blabbling and ridiculous conversations about having HMB reopened. Classes have relocated to other rooms and resumed… Those classes Bobby White takes are not in HMB since he is a graduate student in the Department of Education. Where are the classes held? Hmmm, not in HMB.
If you guys want HMB to open again, GET RID OF JKF, period. Once she resigns, everything will be back to normal.
Last night I was at a dialogue group inside SBG office. Old CRE of the freshmen dorm stuck many of us when he told us a story about when there was a murder in the dorm. He had to deal with BOTH murders and saw both DEAD bodies. Obviously, it led the “crash,” mixture feelings, confusions, etc etc on all of his 16 staffs and himself. So, they all went to have a counseling session with a counselor one day. During their session, a DPS officer stormed in and told them to stop the session and to go to a meeting with JKF. They were all upset and got up and went to the meeting with JKF, not knowing why and what would it be about. As they approached to meet with JKF, not only they had a meeting with her, SHE CANCELLED THE MEETING!!! Imagine how she treated the staffs and the CRE. That is totally a SHAME of JKF!!!
Once JKF is gotten ridden, then things will be calm down.
Tell JKF to pack her things and get out of Gallaudet University. Why? Things will calm down once she gets her feet off the campus.
Please read my comment above. This isn’t solved by relocating classes. Again, I am not discussing the issues of the protest itself, I am simply focusing on my right to access my department’s materials and what I have paid to come to this school for. The takeover of HMB has gotten the attention, but is not disrupting the workings of the administration, it’s disrupting the workings of the departments that are housed within the building: English, Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, etc. We shouldn’t be punishing our fellow students that want to support the cause but are under so much stress because of the disruption to their education that it isn’t even remotely possible. I didn’t do anything to deserve this.
Better yet, I’ll just repost it for those that did not see it earlier…
I must say that it seems many people are very unaware (and possibly taking an egocentric view) of the graduate students that are in TRAINING for a future position in their profession. We do not go to school, simply to fill our heads with what our teachers say, but to access everything that our department offers so that we are best prepared when we graduate from Gallaudet and begin our careers. I am in the School Psychology department and having HMB being closed down does not allow us to access materials that we need in order to continue our preparation for becoming future school psychologists. Let me make it clearer by asking you this: would you like your child, or any child for that matter, to be evaluated or assessed by an undertrained/underprepared graduate? I can’t imagine anyone would and when we are unable to get full access to the education that we came to Gallaudet to receive, not only are we losing out, but so are all of the children that we may encounter in the future. Please think about that, too.
In short, the hijacking of HMB has the potential to affect a student’s career and opportunity in the future. It could be as simple as getting a “B” rather than an “A” that could mean the difference in getting a scholarship, internship, or a job position. It can have a compounding effect on students, especially graduate or doctoral students, the longer this hijacking continues.
It’s a very simpleton thinking that it’s a matter of relocating a class to another building when HMB houses a good majority of graduates or doctoral students. And what protesters in HMB are saying to graduates and doctoral students who want access to HMB to continue with their studying and work is “Screw you”.
Not a way to win support from them for the overall protest message.
I do sympathize with students who wanted to access HMB to pursue their academic studies. I think students should not block HMB access for those who came to Gallaudet to get an education.
Protesters do have a point and using HMB building is not a good choice but outside of the president’s office is a perfect place to demonstrate.
Let the students in HMB and resume their studies. Accreditation agency requires a number of hours inside the classroom to obtain official academic credits. This is not worth jeopardizing the student’s academic attendances’.
Another thing to ponder is that not every student agrees with the protestors on the HMB issue.
What I am trying to say here.. is that you guys should stop and think of how JKF and IKJ have been doing to us all on Gallaudet campus. They are manipulating us all, man!!! They both are the cause of the whole thing, especially the HMB lock-down. If they had heard and listen to THEIR students, faculties, staff, and alumnae they would realize that it is better on the students’, faculties’, staff, and alumnae’s behalf is to have JKF resigned. Look at DPN of 1988, Zinner (however it is spelled) decided that it was better on Gallaudet’s behalf to resign and let the deaf (I insist, the small d, not a capital D) take over the presidency. We accomplished that, although Zinner had boosted a college or university in North Carolina to a very accomplished funded college/university. We applause her and look up on her for giving up the presidency of Gallaudet. Now JFK needs to stop and think what is the best for Gallaudet. What is it? RESIGN! Now, if she had resigned a long time ago, there wouldn’t be the HMB lock-down. She is stubborn and manipulating us all and has caused the whole situation. For an example, the false bomb threat TWICE and accused students for that which is dang false; IKJ bringing his grandson into a DANGEROUS environment (what kind of grandfather with PhD he is!!); not having bridge built between students, faculties, staff, & alumnae and the administrators; the public relation letters sending out to public not made by public relation department; and etc etc etc … If you guys stop and come to HMB to learn and be educated about all crap issues that had been risen between the all of us and IKJ/JKF administration, you will understand. The SBG, FSSA, and other organizations have submitted the negotiation paper to the administrators and it has been in the administrator’s hands for past 2 days. What is holding them?! If they really, REALLY want the HMB to open again and really, REALLY want to build the bridge between all of us and administrators, they should of worked on the negotiation paper QUICKLY, so you guys can “have the HMB” back.
Read http://www.gufssa.com/
Dr. Jordan brought in his grandson because it was a special event. He did not think that protesters would act like an animal by throwing liquids to the crowd. That is one thing we should not condone is such acts of attempted violence. It is not even funny or cool. Protesters should treat all family members with respect and courtesy. Many people will disagree with Jordan’s policies but he does not have to be bombarded with physical items. Gallaudet students are becoming trained as a professional and resorting to throwing things does not make them look like one. Its okay to disagree but resorting to violence is not.
Geesh, it was not the protestors who did the spill on to IKJ. It was an INDIVIDUAL. The leaders scolded that individual. The individual is to write an apology letter to IJK. Now about him bringing his grandson, yes it was a special event BUT he KNEW Gally was a dangerous environment and atmosphere to bring the kid. WOULD you, when you are a parent, bring your little kid to protest? NO.. That’s what I am saying here. but it is not the point on this issue.
I’ve seen photos of small children in HMB and at various rallies.
Yes, right… Those small children in the HMB belong to the visitors, protestors, and leaders. The concept of being in HMB building is safe place for the kids with their parents due to non-violent behaviors at HMB. At the WAB, that day, IJK KNEW that it would be a DANGEROUS environment for small child which was his grandson. He knew there would be dangers at the unveiling events of both Linda Jordan Gallery & I KING JORDAN ACADEMIC CENTER BECAUSE he knew the protest was going on. He knew that the protest is about IKJ and JKF Administration. If I was a parent and am in IKJ’s shoes, I would NOT bring my kids with me unless they are over 18 years old, period.
I recall being at a debate in SAC Computer Lab. It was about non-educational and educational people. How their thinking function. They argued that the non-educational (with Diploma, GED, or drop-out) people’s thinking function better than educational (with PhD) people. It was a very interesting persceptive debate.
It looks like it applies to IJK in THIS case.
How true about IKJ and Linda knew BETTER than politicizing and parading their grandson when the climate accumulated to the extent of hostility. IKJ and Linda and JK tried to mainpulate and silenced the protestors into the state of submission when the presence of child like IKJ/Linda’s grandson came into the scene.
Actor Clive Owens (Brit) scolded other celebrities of being hyprocritical for whining about lack of privacy on their life while celebrities usually paraded their own children in front of the camera. Clive Owens never brought his own children to any public events because he really cherished his personal privacy for children. Everyone couldn’t have the double standard to whine about other things while those people were doing to themselves!
IKJ and Linda are one of fine example, who are the real schemers to endanger their own grandson for political points. The parents of IKJ’s grandson are surely upset with IKJ and Linda for putting the grandson in such a compromising situation.
Yes, Bill Gates, the college dropout, revolutionized the computer world. I am the college dropout, too.
“We believe and support that inherent right to freedom of speech. At the same time, taking over our campus is not only illegal, but it violates our right to an education,” said student Bobby White.
Bobby White, FREEDOM OF SPEECH.. Hmmm… GO to the front gate and speak your oppose to the protest. STOP hiding in your dormority room or in your off-campus residence. Come out and speak. And, you will understand why they are having this…
Come to thinking about campus being locked-down. When there is Snow Day, you would jump up and down with joy that your classes are cancelled. Now this lock-down, you bitch about no classes. Gessh!
[…] Late Thursday night, October 5, the students, independently of FSSA, decided to occupy Hall Memorial Building (HMB), where most classrooms and department offices are located. This decision was made partly in the wake of the use of fertilizer on the front lawn where Tent City was located. In the aftermath of student complaints about the use of “earth juice,” and their attempts to confront Jordan in College Hall, the students decided to move Tent City to an area closer to and around HMB. From here, it was but a short step to taking over the building entirely. This unilateral move took everyone by suprise. Unfortunately, it exposed an apparent schism within FSSA, and created potential new opponents of student tactics. Among those who were disturbed was a group calling themselves “Concerned Students.” This coalition made it known that they were distressed about being unable to attend classes and obtain an education. One of their number, Bobby White, wrote a guest post at DeafDC. Far from spurring the troops and garnering more support, the protesters were seen as having made a monumental blunder. […]