By Bobby White
Yesterday marked exactly one week that Concerned Students for Gallaudet has been up and running and we have over 75 members. While that is not a huge number compared to the 1,800 students on campus it’s a remarkable start for a group that is only one week old.
We have received over 200 signed petitions by students, staff and faculty members in support of our cause and the numbers are growing daily. The last time I posted here I talked about how I was moved to act because I could no longer stand idly aside while Gallaudet University struggled.
Friday was a sad day for Deaf people all over the world, 135 brave men and women were arrested for a cause that they strongly believed in. They were arrested while defending the University they love and call home. So many things went through my mind as I watched the crowd shout their support into the dark night. I couldn’t help but notice that it was 10 o’clock when I arrived to the scene. The Tower Clock stood majestically silent and the chilly night air was pierced with the bright lights of the DC Police tactical unit shutting down the 6th Street barricade. I. King Jordan said it was one of the saddest days of his life, I think we can all agree it was one of the saddest days in the history of Gallaudet University.
As a member of Concerned Students I have had the pleasure this week of meeting with many protestors through the fence at the W. Virginia Ave. gate including student leader Latoya Plummer. These discussions were heartfelt, powerful and enlightening for our group. All of the students and professors alike learned much from the protestors as we defended our stance for the continuation of education at Gallaudet and the end of the lockdown.
Dialogue is important but as we have seen with so many different players in the game very little can actually be accomplished unless there is a serious willingness by all interested parties to do so. Professor Margaret Vitullo of the Department of Sociology helped draft the original petition “A Return to Education,” that our group adopted. Professor Vitullo has been aware of the serious problems facing Gallaudet for many years however it wasn’t until she engaged in dialogue with the student protestors through the fence near the W. Virginia Ave. gate that some concrete ideas started to crystallize on ways that we can address the protester’s issues.
These ideas lead to the creation of goals for the University and community that could possibly help us move forward from this stalemate. The five critical goals are not a solution for all of the issues that face our campus but we believe they offer a critical first step in helping our campus come together. We must begin the healing and find a way to move forward for the future of our University.
- Immediately bring an outside, neutral, professional mediation team to campus. The team should include Deaf representatives to facilitate discussion between student protestors and the administration.
- Bring an outside, neutral party to investigate the search process. Examples of outside neutral groups could include: Association of Governing Boards and the American Association of University Professors.
- Dr. Jordan and Dr. Fernandes work with Congress to change the charter that defines the Gallaudet Board of Trustees so that the Board will include faculty, staff, students, and alumni representation. The first step in this process should be a letter from Dr. Jordan and Dr. Fernandes to Congress making this request. This letter should be made public to the Gallaudet community.
- Establish terms for the Gallaudet president. At the end of each term, Gallaudet presidents will have a performance evaluation that will determine if re-appointment should occur. This evaluation will be conducted by the newly formed Board of Trustees.
- Change faculty guidelines such that all tenured faculty will be required to take the ASLPI. Gallaudet University will provide interpreters in the class room for any tenured faculty member who does not pass the ASLPI at the Intermediate Plus level, or better. This does not replace the current system of testing non-tenured faculty.
The Concerned Students of Gallaudet University endorses these goals as a possible step forward in resolving the current stalemate at Gallaudet University. We ask that if you also believe in these goals, to help us towards a solution instead of just sitting idly aside and discussing the problem.
Bobby White, an Alumni of Gallaudet University and current Graduate Student with the Department of Education is a founding member of Concerned Students for Gallaudet University as well as a volunteer HIV/AIDS Educator for Deaf REACH. His works as a relief staff member at group homes for Deaf adults with multiple disabilities operated by Deaf REACH. Bobby is also the personal Graduate Assistant to Dr. Laurene Simms of the Department of Education at Gallaudet University.
You can contact the Concerned Students organization at gallystudents@yahoo.com.
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49 Comments
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Those are actually excellent goals, and I feel that is an excellent start towards resolving the issues.
I believe the process is flawed, and it would result in JK having to resign, as it is not considered “legit”.
If the process was not flawed (which I doubt), then I would be willing to accept a one-year or two-year committment to having JK being the President. Then at the end of the term, the BOT, FSSA and others will met to reevaluate her presidency. If they decide by a majority that she is not qualified to continue as a President, she will not be hired again.
The President after that willbe bound to a time limit of a period between 4-6 years, of which time they have the opportunity to show what they want to do for Gallaudet University.
Oh, and NO reprisals for protesters, which includes charges against those who were arrested dropped.
This is an arrangment that I personally would be willing to work with as a start. I do not speak for FSSA, only for myself.
Thanks for a great letter, Bobby.
wildstarryskies:
I agree with you. At least there should be no reprisal for all protesters. I have no problem working with these ideas.
Most importantly, we need to move forward. The longer the protest continues with BOT standing firmly on their decision and JKF’s refusal to resign, the worse demages we are doing to the University.
1-2 years is not long enough - 5 years would suffice with periodical reviews.
are there schools that have term limits for presidents?
I agree. But at this point,I am honestly terrified of giving JK more than 2 years. Look what she did in 10!
Generally these appointments are something like Pope or Supreme Court Justice: Till death or retirement/resignation. There may be some that set term limits, however, I have not come across them as yet.
No idea how other schools are governed, but I do know that the past superintendent of American School for the Deaf (ASD) had his four-year contract expired. The Board chose to not renew.
I don’t know if there are schools with presidential term limits but if we’re going to make a change, why not set a precedent for universities around the country. Just because it HASN’T been done, doesn’t mean it CAN’T or SHOULDN’T be done.
Bobby, you won’t hijack the protest. Until you don’t talk about 1. re-opening the search process (including the resignation of Jane Fernandes as ninth president) and 2. no reprisal, your are just thieves among the crowd.
An unproductive reply to someone who’s trying to make action out of a lot of emotion. Bobby and his compadres try to formulate a concrete plan, and instead of suggesting modifications that would be acceptable for all, you brand him a thief. What are you trying to accomplish? This emotional warfare gets us nowhere.
I really, truly question your motives every time you comment. You have brains somewhere. Find them and use them.
Bobby is doing the right thing by calling this new group as the “Concerned Students for Gallaudet” because they do have some concerns about this rather than demanding JKF to resign and causing all kinds of ruckus. This is the back door approach to help improve things on the inside.
And you’re right, Kaftan, when people start using emotion as a tool to push, shove and intimidate others along with conspiracy theories and wild-eyed accusations with nothing to show far, then that should a bunch of red flag warnings.
I’m interested in facts. Pure facts…not conjectures. For a start, there’ll be an independent inquiry into the BoT process. That’s a start on truth. Not conjectures and conspiracy theories.
The group was set up by David King and the name was a unanimous decision by the entire group.
However, Thank you for your support!
Thank you Bobby White for explaining. That is why I believed in David King’s capable to lead and his leadership skills. David is very productive and creative person who always think beyond lines. To me, if we can put our personal differences away, and give Concerned Students chance to showcase their ideas and solutions, we might come out with something, unfortunately all eyes seem to be on the FSSA and protesters.
Allison, thanks for your comment. My motifs are clear as the Carribbean sea: I support the protest. You should know by noiw that you cannot have it both ways. Can you?
This is actually a reasonable proposal. But I have to say that testing_the_truth appears to be quite hostile towards anything resembling compromise and that’s turning off a lot of folks in the middle.
What do you mean by compromise? More than 5000 people signed and mandated the 2 demands of FSSA all around the world. After these 2 demands are met we can talk about negotiation.
5000 signatures is nice, but relatively meaningless. Due to the number, it most likely carries a significant number of “outsider” signatures, which have no immediate bearing other than to say that some people [number uncertain] outside Gallaudet support you. Second, and unfortunately for the cause, it’s not being accepted. The administration and Board have both acknowledged having heard, yet not agreeing.
This is not the war. This is just an opening battle.
Exactly. I have several friends who graduated from Gallaudet in the early 90s who see this protest as being detrimental to Gallaudet that’s not solving anything.
I believe in the long run, if the protesters prevail, in the long run, Gallaudet is doomed. Fernandes is instituting unpopular moves which may or may not save the institution, but the protesters, by focusing on the ASL deaf aspect, are not doing Gallaudet any favors.
Gallaudet exists as an institution funded by the federal government and any exclusionary policies will rapidly defund and privatize Gallaudet and many faculty and students will get downsized. Right now, there appears to be an interesting tension between pure ASL and Sim-Com. One can’t exist without the other, mainly because you need one to communicate both inside and outside Gallaudet. The balance has swung too far toward the pure ASL crowd.
Also, the first thing an employer thinks when he sees a Gallaudet degree is whether that person will embark on a protest at a perceived discrimination. So there is a negative connotation with a Gallaudet degree caused in part by the protests.
If I may add to what Unvarnished Truth is saying: I also have not seen a single factual explanation of how JKF oppresses ASL. Just because someone says she oppresses ASL, doesn’t mean it’s really true. Support opinions with facts!
It’s widely reported that JKF wants oral and cued-speech interpreters in the classrooms. Is this oppressing ASL? o_O
I will say this in favor of the protestors though: DPS definitely needs to improve their signing skills. There’s no excuse why DPS still can’t sign. Regarding those faculty whose signing skills aren’t up to par, having an ASL interpreter in class is a must. That issue is definitely complainable.
But you know, I would rather have a highly qualified professor teaching me with an interpreter present, than a teacher who’s a fluent signer, but not as qualified in his/her field.
It’s far easier to improve someone’s communication skills than making someone an expert in a field in relatively short time. Especially when you consider the fact that the faculty are IMMERSED in a signing environment. They’ll learn ASL quickly if they make a serious effort.
So yeah, this lack of facts regarding ASL oppression on campus, lends credence to the notion of this protest being about turning Gallaudet into a place for ASL-only Deaf crowd. “No sim-commers, cued-speech users or oralies welcome!” is definitely one of the several bad impressions that the protestors are making.
And even if they did try and do that Section 504 ensures that this won’t happen. Section 504 gives power over to the students based on what their needs are in order to have an equitable education along with the rest of the student population. And this includes the various communication needs.
A Voice in the Wind:
I agree with you that testing_the_truth IS hostile towards those who don’t agree with him. Keep in mind that Zoltan DOES NOT represent the views of FSSA nor does he represent me. He is just bitter that JKF fired him. So forget him…
Anyway, I think the goals drafted by the CSGU sound pretty appealing to me! :) However, unfortunately — I think it may be too late. We have gone too far into the game.
Based on what we have experienced this year, we certainly don’t want to make an effort to reach a resolution with the current administration. As you can probably notice, the administration repeatedly lied to the media and played the “not deaf enough” card. They even went as far as calling us dissenters. We work hard for our education, contribute our time to the community, and pay a lot of money to attend Gallaudet. That upsets me the most. How can I trust the administration to do the right thing in the future? That’s the problem here. The only way we can heal is if JKF resigns and the selection process be reopened. We will go after the administration after JKF and IKJ leave the office. It will be a LONG process, but I know it will be worth it.
One more thing - the last three goals in your entry are really EXCELLENT! I think many of us would want to work together in making these last three goals possible.
I wonder what are you supporting in FSSA if not the basic demands??? ;)))))))))
To me I think the protesters have gone too far to a level that they are afraid to give up. I could be wrong but that is my view of whole thing. Correct me. Anyway, I think most important this is education. We need to return to education, no matter what, we need to return to education and then work our problems through.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course… :)
I feel we have no choice but to keep moving forward. If we give up, the protest would have been for nothing and things will return to the same way it was before. That’s how it is. The dialogues/speak-outs will be scheduled but people will never walk away feeling satisfied. It’s so much deeper than that. In order to really make a difference, [serious changes] must first occur before we start to see the final outcome. I believe that in the end, the outcome will be positive.
In addition, education is very important - which is one of the major reasons of our cause. If we have a better leader, that leader certainly will instill motivation and inspiration in everyone within the community. That, in turn, will strive the community to improve its educational standards and so forth.
I think a reasonable compromise is to expel a number of student protesters and render them PNG as well as obtaining JKF’s resignation.
Please - we are talking 400 protesters here. Don’t think Gally wants to do that.
I’ll bet that expelling any number of the student protesters will dramatically increase the graduation rates.
Excellent Solution,
Really? And why would that happen? What is the cause-effect relationship?
FSSA Supporter:
You might not realize that some of us were involved with FSSA protest in May. I hate using David’s suggestion as an example, but he was the guy in FSSA that explained to us to embrace dialogue and negotiation approach. He argued that as protest keep changing its tactics and reasons, it would not success. Like myself, I did not agree with his logics because I feel that we gave JKF enough chances. David pointed to us that we have not give her a chance as long as there were no written agreement between us (students, staff, faculty, alumni, BOT and the administration) how we want her to govern the university and what do we expect to see in order to evaluate her performance. Gallaudet University’s problems can be solved through negotiation; formation of new policies, establish share governance; faculty, staff, student and alumni representation on BOT; proper accountability, etc. They don’t occur through protesting as you know.
Niki: Yes, I agree with you that the tactics have changed several times over the six-month period. That was my main frustration with the FSSA at first, but I knew many people did not want JKF to become the leader for a number of reasons (which is obvious as indicated on the FSSA Web site and several blogs - I do not consider Ridorlive.com as a reliable source, okay? Smile)
Not to get off the point, but…
One interesting point was brought up during the discussion that I had with a few colleagues over the summer: Prior to the announcement, we were expecting either Weiner or Stern to be selected. Never for a second did we think JKF would be selected. We were flabbergasted with the BOT’s decision, but then we realized that the BOT was not present on the campus long enough to see JKF in action nor did they take the input from both the community into serious consideration when they made this decision.
Then when the crisis broke out earlier this month, that was when the administration revealed their true colors. They abused their power and covered up the mess. Many of us were shocked when JKF wrote the WP editorial, stating that the deaf politics were to be blamed for the crisis. I said to myself: How can this be? If the protesters come from all kinds of backgrounds (including deaf, Deaf, HOH, hearing, etc etc). They sent a clear message to the administration that they don’t want JKF to be their leader. How can Gallaudet University function when JKF is its president?
You cannot choose to be a leader. Only the people can choose their leader. That’s how it works.
I’m jumping all over the place, but basically — one important thing to remember about the FSSA is that it is NEW. I have been involved with a few protests and I can confirm this for sure: they weren’t 100% organized! I am confident that in time, they will develop appropriate guidelines and so forth. It also doesn’t help that the FSSA keeps adding new individuals/departments/organizations to its list daily. It’s becoming too much for them.
So let’s give them time. As for those who disagree - that’s fine, but please don’t criticize. It just doesn’t help. Instead, give feedback. It is easier that way.
Quote: played the “not deaf enough” card.
Well, it would not be a valid complaint if your fellow peers are not using this protest to advance their ASL vs every other form of communication. If you’re not for ASL at all time, you’re committing audism!
This type of attitude pisses me off and allows me to be more swayed by JKF’s and IKJ’s perspectives.
Stop telling me that I’m an audist because I believe in sim-com - Or as I like to call it - Total Communication.
Bobby- well writen article and I do agree with you. Just need to add one resolution, no punishments for those involved.
Its a step forward but I think for the true healing to begin, JKF has to resign. This protest has gone too far, well beyond repairable, with the arrests and war of words in PR department.
I personally didn’t support the take over the HMB and the campus but after seeing what the administration did, JKF has to go at all costs.
There will be a lot of bad blood bursting if protest ceases and JKF remains in the office.
You can not negotiate or mediate with the evolution of deaf society. The protesters should give it up. Jane is there to stay.
Richard, I love your e-mails to Jane asking her to keep GallyNet open (with a copy to the board of trustees!). I can’t, for the life of me, understand why you keep on copying me on these e-mails, but thanks for providing me with something to laugh at on a daily basis.
From: tagboard7@juno.com Mailed-By: juno.com
To: jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu, president@gallaudet.edu, brueggemann.1@osu.edu, cashby@doe.k12.ga.us, sjsuz@aol.com, thumphries@ucsd.edu, frankhwu@wayne.edu, bsoukup@c-s-d.org, hgoodstein@cox.net, cheppner@nvrc.org, Pam.holmes@captelmail.com, Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov, lrkinney@wi.rr.com, Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net, RayLaHood@raylahood.com
Date: Oct 14, 2006 12:44 PM
Silencing the gally-l list in the middle of war against the old deaf guards is stupid! I ask Jane to force it back open today.
Richard Roehm
How about the smoking gun that she broke the rules? Her staff were in attendance during the presentations of the other applicants a clear upper hand if I ever saw one much like steroids for Olypians; she needs to go simply because there’s too much hate towards her and the division in the community is not healable in that regard. Everything else makes sense. I do thnk terms for BOT might benefit as well. Effectively ending the disconnectedness between adminstration and those they serve is just one of the keys.
I like the proposals presented but the protestors dont have any leverage . The “powers that be” stand to lose part of their power from the proposals, since it’s stacked against them. JK is clearly determined to assume her role as Gallaudet President for life and why should she agree to term limits? Say what you want, JK is no fool. JK is in the cat-bird’s seat and she knows it. The University (aka. IKJ, JK , et al) has ALL the leverage. Unfortunately for the protestors, and at this point in the protest, the University has the time, resources and the law on their side to wait this out and let the protestors lose steam. Also they could have students suspended or expelled from the university. (Those that were arrested, may have further repercussions awaiting them at Gally. The Alumni who were arrested, may be “Persona Non Grata.”) My strategy for the protestors (while extreme) would be for the students to withdrawal and transfer to other educational institutions. This strategy would be akin to not buying fur coats because you protest the killing of animals, not buying Gasoline at Exxon because you protest their environmental policies, to canceling your Comcast Cable subscription and going to satellite TV because Comcast is a monopoly, to not buying Microsoft products because of their predatory business practices, etc, etc. You get my drift….the only way to effectuate change is to influence the flow of $$$. However, I believe the students are not willing to go this route, and as such, they will have no leverage.
Don’t get me wrong, I want the protestors to prevail, and I hope they do. I am very proud of them.
There is really no excuse for this type of behavior. It reflects poorly on the students and faculty who condone it. It signals a failure to work within academic channels of protest. This is a university, not a wrestling match. When students are of this age and education level, one expects slightly more from them than splaying out on floors to show their rage.
If these students expect to convince the world of the special problems faced by deaf communities, they have sure chosen an embarrassing and appalling way of showing their predicament. I would lock them up and impose tough criminal penalties on those who continue to disrupt classes.
You mean the traitors of the protest? Yes, they are appalling!! ;))))))))
Most colleges protest may go for a few days to blow off some steam…but this protest at Gally is way too long. I dont see any Civil Rights groups coming in to assist the protesters such as Jesse Jackson, your mayor in the Gally area…etc. Yes, it may be embrassing because they announced that Jane is not deaf enough, so let alone the civil rights group. Not only that, but what is the clear point?? Why are you still at Gally? Why did you wasted your tuititon? You could have gone to RIT, NTID, CSUN, or other local colleges… if hated Jane so badly. Truthfully, the protest needs to end. Did I see a 60 year old woman on TV, protesting? That is not a typical college…Its embrassing, news reporter on every channel is trying to capture what is the message, and its unthinkable and unclear in the media. Right now, I realized that Gally do discriminate if you are not deaf enough! I suggest you to get the school not to allow any hearing student in graduate school because they are not deaf enuff, why aren’t you protesting on that issue??? What a racist remark! Not deaf enuff is like not black enuff, not white enuff, not american enuff!
They didn’t announce jane isn’t deaf enough. JANE announced that THEY announced that she awsn’t deaf enough. That’s her PR spin. Get it?
However, protesters were bringing up her signing ability constantly in the form of “not ASL” enough. One of the common complaints that keeps popping up, it’s her signing ability as not being “ASL enough”.
Yes, that’s one complaint that has come up. One of many. One of a LONG LIST, most of which have nothing to do with her “identity”.
Some of those proposals are good. I like Jill Bradbury’s better though. I don’t know of any college or university president having a term.
As for the ASLPI test, I would prefer the SCPI one. The SCPI one is research-based, and has been extensively peer-reviewed. I don’t see any of that for the ASLPI.
I am not certain but I believe Gallaudet does not use the SCPI anymore and has switched the the ASLPI, However I will have to double check that. Either for me is fine, my point is that Faculty needs to be able to communicate and their methods should be subjected measurable standards.
I agree with you on that, Bobby. I hope Gallaudet does go ahead and implement that.
Comments:
-I agree that the students have a right to an education. THey also have the right to be angry at the situation at Gallaudet.
-I do not think they should only direct their anger towards the protestors. It should be directed to EVERYBODY invloved. It was a series of indicents by everybody that brought us all to this point. Just my opinion.
I second ya, J.J. that the Concerned Students of Gallaudet University ought not to place the whole blame on student protestors!
I know Bobby’s writings very well. I notice that is not really his own writings! Someone did help him! Bobby White is just a front man for the Concerned Students of Gallaudet University.
At least, Bobby White praised the student protestors for being courageous last Friday night.
RLM