Comments on: Message from Sorenson on Current Events at Gallaudet

By: DeafLinux

DeafLinux — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 05:58:13 +0000

Did Sorensen won the contract because they added that James Lee Soresen building will be included? Is that a form of “bribe?”

By: no one

no one — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:56:58 +0000

see…thats what I am talking about…a big “D” right there… (mocking) “with us or against us”

By: Alumna

Alumna — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 15:46:04 +0000

GIS terps wouldn’t have to be working 24/7 if it wasn’t for the protestors.

By the way, GIS terps were allowed to terp on their own time because it is their OWN time.

I am glad Sorenson is staying out of this. There are a few other orgs that should get out of this, too.

By: A Terp

A Terp — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:42:23 +0000

I don’t know what the contract between Sorenson and GIS/Gallaudet says, and I’m not going to assume anything. If terps like myself want to volunteer their services as individuals (not as representatives), then I don’t have a problem with that. Maybe the issue is that these terps are working on campus already, so their “association” with Sorenson/GIS is already known. But any other [anonymous] interpreter could walk onto campus and provide services and not disclose which agency they work with/for (if they do). It’s a sticky issue of neutrality, code of ethics, contractual agreements, individual agency policies, etc.

By: Sorenson

Sorenson — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:27:19 +0000

The above should have been a response nestled under #28658

By: Sorenson

Sorenson — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:26:17 +0000

Right, BIS didn’t offer interpreting services, but other forms of assistance. I apologize for my awkward sentence structure up there. I believe only HOVRS provided interpreting services.

GIS employees were told not to interpret even in their free time. Sorenson uses these same interpreters and their neutrality is tantamount to condoning that restriction. What’s next, the administration telling GIS that they cannot chat with faculty and students? And will Sorenson again go, “We are hands off”?

By: A Terp

A Terp — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 02:30:14 +0000

Actually, BIS policy is to not volunteer services as representatives of BIS. Any BIS interpreters who are on campus and representing themselves as BIS are violating policy. GIS is the interpreting agency on campus and they should be responsible for the interpreting services provided. If terps want to volunteer services, they may do so but not represent the agency they’re from.

By: Sorenson

Sorenson — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 22:38:08 +0000

Sorenson has a contract with Gallaudet and utilizes their pool of staff interpreters, and both make a bundle from the partnership. To the tune of millions. They’re practically the only game on the campus, with an exclusive agreement and their videophone booths all over the 99-acre campus.

Now think about the Gallaudet interpreters, at once employees of Gallaudet and outsourced to Sorenson; they see the media who want to talk with the students, but were instructed by the administration not to interpret for them. Even after work hours.

For Sorenson to say they don’t have a position on that is gutless.

HOVRS, on the other hand, saw a clear need for communication access and jumped in with volunteer interpreters. So has IP-Relay, BIS (Hamilton), and i711 (GoAmerica) in other forms.

Screw Sorenson. These hard-working interpreters at Gallaudet deserve better than the working conditions Dr. Jordan tried to impose upon them. Their skills in the afterhours are theirs to give to the community should they wish that, not to be enslaved 24/7 by Dr. Jordan.

Sorenson has an obligation to make sure its interpreters are treated appropriately. And it chose to say “We cannot express opinions on matters outside our core business.” Gutless, gutless, gutless, gutless, gutless.

By: Richard Roehm

Richard Roehm — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:35:36 +0000

I cant, I’m too sticky. Hahahahahah.

By: DT

DT — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:31:08 +0000

I think he’s already fallen off a buncha bandwagons already; he’s knocked his head so hard and often, his progeny will be born dizzy! LOL!