Crisis at Gallaudet University

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STUDENTS CLOSE GALLAUDET, ‘NO LONGER RECOGNIZE’ JORDAN

The protests at Gallaudet University took a dramatic turn early this morning when students shut down the campus by blocking every entrance. A press release from students called the action a “Coup d’Universite” and said, “A campus-wide lockdown in now in effect. ... We no longer recognize Dr. Irving King Jordan as our Gallaudet President. We are ousting Dr. Irving King Jordan ... due to the unethical actions ... which [have] sharply increased fear by intimidation on campus.” The Gallaudet University FSSA Coalition posted the students’ press release but made it clear that the shutdown was led by students. Faculty and staff trying to walk or drive into campus have been turned away, reported the Associated Press, but students are allowed to come and go. Late today, more than 40 faculty members issued a press release calling on President-designate Jane K. Fernandes to step down.

FORCED HUNGER STRIKE? CAFETERIA REPORTED CLOSED

Gallaudet’s 1,800 students may find themselves hungry today because the administration has shut down the cafeteria in apparent retaliation for the campus blockade. The students’ press release indicates that the campus lockdown does not extend to the cafeteria, the Mental Health Center or Student Health Services. Protesters allowed cafeteria workers to enter the campus this morning, wrote Elisa Abenchuchan (www.elisawrites.com), but someone sent the workers back home. I. King Jordan, who met with protesters at the front gate, was asked about the cafeteria shutdown and reminded that some students are diabetic. “They can go to SHS (Student Health Service),” Jordan replied. (UPDATE: Cafeteria has reopened. See here.)

SHUTDOWN BEGINS IN WEE HOURS OF MORNING

The campus shutdown started around 2 a.m. this morning after a midnight rally in the Hall Memorial Building. Protest leaders had been negotiating with the administration since shortly after taking over the Hall Memorial Building last Thursday night. A press release sent out at 1 a.m. this morning from the Student Body Government. Members of the school’s football team played a key role, said The Washington Post, when they decided that talks were moving too slowly and decided to escalate the demonstrations. “We were caught completely by surprise,” said university spokeswoman Mercy Coogan.

PROTESTERS ADD 23 MORE DEMANDS TO ORIGINAL TWO

Protesters have consistently made two demands: the reopening of the Presidential search process (with Jane K. Fernandes resigning) and no reprisals toward those involved in the protest. A new list of 23 other demands were presented earlier this week that would end the lock-down of Hall Memorial Building. The list includes provision of 24/7 protest safe zones, continued negotiation, a public apology from I. King Jordan for misleading statements, a direct line of communication with the Board of Trustees, unrestricted media access and an investigation of the Department of Public Safety in regard to two bomb threats in the past five days.

MONDAY MORNING BOMB THREAT DELAYS CLASSES

The second bomb threat in four days caused Monday morning classes to get off to a late start. An eyewitness report by Alison Albrecht said students were awoken about 6:15 a.m. to the steady beat of drums. Protest leaders, told of the bomb threat, agreed to leave the building if they were allowed to remain outside the doors and campus police were prevented from entering. Washington, D.C. police agreed. No bomb was found, and no other buildings were searched. The students “were very cooperative with the police,” interim Provost Michael L. Moore told The Washington Times.

JORDAN ISSUES LETTER SEEKING ‘CIVILITY AND RESPECT’

I. King Jordan sent an Open Letter on Monday that said, “I believe together we can restore civility and mutual respect to our campus.” Jordan said he has dispatched several top administrators to meet with protesters “in good faith, only to have their demands change.” He called on everyone “to come together to restore trust and a sense of security to a badly shaken community” and criticized demonstrators who disrupted last week’s ceremonies naming a building and art gallery after himself and his wife. Jordan’s letter was met with widespread criticism by activists who said he used the Gallaudet University Alumni Association mailing list to distribute the letter at the same time he is blocking GUAA access to their own list.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CREATES INDEPENDENT WEBSITE

Gallaudet University Alumni Association President Andrew Lange announced that the GUAA has set up its own website blog to get around restrictions imposed on its official site. “The University owns and controls the GUAA home site (www.gallaudet.edu/x179.xml),” said Lange. “We are unable to publish any news or information about what is happening there.” Lange said the GUAA is doing this project on its own and will not allow the Gallaudet administration or anyone at Gallaudet to have any input to the blog, though “they are free to make comments like anyone else.” Negative comments about any particular person will not be tolerated, he added. You can find the new GUAA website at guaanews.com.

ALUMNI URGED TO COME TO CAMPUS FOR HOMECOMING

Gallaudet’s Homecoming is next Saturday, October 21, and 15,000 alumni have been called upon to attend and join in the protests. “We must show the world that GALLAUDET belongs to us all!,” said an announcement. “Fill the tank, pack the kids, URGE your family, friends to go to GALLAUDET for homecoming.” The announcement says to meet at 11:30 a.m. on the Gallaudet mall, an hour before the alumni parade. However, a student message from this morning says not to wait until next Saturday. “We need mass numbers. Do not wait until HOMECOMING. Come now!!! Ok? Thanks.”

FERNANDES: I THOUGHT THINGS WERE GOING WELL

Jane K. Fernandes thought things were going well at Gallaudet University until a week ago, reported The Washington Post. “I was surprised by the intensity” of protests, she said, since things had been quiet over the summer and she was trying to move forward. Fernandes expects to start her new job January 1, and her supporters say she’s the best hope to bring the university back together. “I have a huge responsibility,” said Fernandes, “to be president of a university for all the different kinds of students we have here.” Her opponents say she’s simply not strong enough to lead. “What is her plan?, wrote GUAA President Andrew Lange. “And what is she waiting for?”

TENT CITIES POP UP, RALLIES HELD ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Tent Cities in support of Gallaudet’s protesters have sprung up in about a dozen cities throughout the United States and in Canada and Denmark. An updated list of Tent Cities and rallies can be found here. One notable absence is Rochester, N.Y., home of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Rochester’s lack of involvement is questioned by one blogger at Deafeye Blog.

PR DIRECTOR EXPLAINS MEDIA LOCKOUT

Mercy Coogan, Gallaudet’s Director of Public Relations, responded to faculty member Mark Weinberg’s public questions about the ban on media on the Gallaudet campus. Coogan apologized for not responding sooner, saying, “It was ‘code red’ in my office all day and late into the night.” Coogan explained that “it was decided to keep [media trucks] off campus because “the mere presence of the trucks would add fuel to an already chaotic situation.” She added that reporters and camera crews were allowed to enter. “You have to admit,” she said, “that the protesters have been very effective in getting their position out to the media without satellite trucks.”

INTERPRETERS BANNED? NOT SO, SAYS STATEMENT

Demonstrators have charged Gallaudet’s administration with prohibiting university interpreters from interpreting for them, making it harder to communicate with the media. The FSSA sent out a request Friday saying interpreters were needed to “even the playing field.” The request noted that PR Director Mercy Coogan gave media interviews without interpreters, shutting students out “in spite of the fact that it was happening right in their midst.” A statement from Gallaudet Interpreting Services, however, denied that the administration was playing favorites. “GIS has not, and will not, refuse to render services to any individual based on his or her affiliation to an organization.” Upon receipt of an account code or personal credit card, GIS will assign interpreters, based on availability, at the standard internal rate.

PARENTS REASSURED IN LETTER FROM INSIDE HMB

A letter to “Concerned Parents and Guardians” was distributed Sunday by faculty, alumni and staff inside Hall Memorial Building offering assurances that protesters “are well, both physically and emotionally.” Donations have kept students well fed and they are studying and doing homework, said the letter. “They are, however, very tired and worried about their academics.” The letter went on to explain that students called on faculty, staff and alumni for help by after campus police “stormed the building.” The decision to stay and help resulted from “the strong, unwavering belief that supporting students is our primary job and the absolute right thing to do.”

WASHINGTON NEWSPAPERS PROTEST THE PROTESTERS

Two newspapers in Washington, D.C. came out against the Gallaudet protesters this week. An editorial in yesterday’s Washington Post said protesters are “not entitled to hold hostage the educational hopes of their classmates” and went on to say protesters were “absurd” to grumble about a building being named for I. King Jordan. Jane K. Fernandes, said the writers, “faces an unenviable job” but is “well qualified in every way.” The Washington Times headlined an editorial this morning, “Calm down, Gallaudet.” Said the writers: “Mr. Jordan’s effort to keep the university on the right track during this ugly experience is laudable.”

BERNARD BRAGG PUTS MAJOR BEQUEST ON HOLD

Internationally acclaimed actor and Gallaudet alumnus Bernard Bragg said in a letter this week that he is putting a major donation on hold until the current situation is resolved. Eight years ago, Bragg made a bequest through his estate to establish the Bernard Bragg, ‘52, Endowed Chair: Deaf People in the Theater Arts. “I have decided it best to put the bequest on hold until this crisis is resolved,” said Bragg, “so it will not be affected by all of the confusion.”
 
15,000 alumni will join protest on Saturday? That's would rip Jane off. :eek3:
 
Impossible, Pacman. There are 15,000 members of GUAA so don't confuse the size of the membership with how many are coming on Saturday.
 
Kalista, where did you get that information?? where is the link? I want to show it to my friend. Thanks
 
Kalista, where did you get that information?? where is the link? I want to show it to my friend. Thanks

Deafweekly SPECIAL REPORT October 10, 2006

Hello,

As some of you may already know, Gallaudet was barricaded at all entrances last night. There is a campus-wide peaceful protest against the
president-nominee Jane Fernandez.

The following were sent out by the organized protest leadership:

Letter to Campus Community:

Until further notice, Gallaudet University is closed and all gates are blocked. This includes MSSD and KDES and this letter is out of courtesy to ommunicate with them. Students who need to leave
or enter the campus will be allowed to. For more information, meet the
students at the front gates.

We strongly encourage faculty to meet to discuss the crisis, for we will
ensure a meeting can occur on campus at noon. We also encourage staff
to engage in meetings to discuss the issues on campus.This discussion
needs to happen.

-dissenting students of Gallaudet University

Also a press release is shared below:

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11th, 2006
Washington, D.C.

Students at Gallaudet University have collectively decided that an oppressive system is not a system that can be negotiated with.

Students at Gallaudet University feel gravely insulted by the lack of follow up by Gallaudet University administrators regarding assault on students by Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and the false statements sent out by the Public Relations Department.

Students at Gallaudet University are concerned by the hasty and unfair
search process that led to the selection of the current President-Select, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. Students at Gallaudet University are deeply hurt by the University's strategic plan to oppress student voices by ensuring that their access to Gallaudet University Interpreting Services would be
denied.

Students at Gallaudet University feel that the oppression at Gallaudet
University contributes to inadequate education, lack of language access,
and emotional distress, all of which interfere with free and accessible learning environments.

Students have, independently of any organization, decided to shut down the campus. They are calling for the immediate resignation of Dr. Jane Fernandes and the investigation of the Presidential Search Process. They are also mandating that there be no reprisals against any protestor, whether student, faculty, staff, or an alumni of this University.

For all members of the press, interested for more information, report to
the front entrance of Gallaudet University on Florida Avenue where the
appropriate representatives can be found.

Arthur Luhn
 
From the newsroom of the Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 12, 2006 .....

Student Rebellion Boils Over At Gallaudet

Campus Shut Down; Arrests Threatened


By Susan Kinzie
Washington Post Staff Writer

Amelia Sun din, 23, a Gallaudet graduate, was among those who rallied at the university's main entrance, which had been blocked by football players. (By Rich Lipski -- The Washington Post)






Protests over the next president at Gallaudet University intensified yesterday when the football team decided after midnight to join the demonstrations by blocking the campus gates, shutting down the school for the deaf.

As faculty pressure tightened on incoming president Jane K. Fernandes to resign before she takes office in January, she repeated her refusal to do so. Students angrily confronted longtime President I. King Jordan, alumni flocked to the campus and a counter-protest movement grew during a day of upheaval.

"I can't imagine a worse scenario," said David Ward, president of the American Council on Education. "I see nothing but an unhappy ending here."

The day forced a question: Just how much chaos can a school take?

Last night, Jor dan issued a statement saying, "This illegal and unlawful behavior must stop," and he warned protesters that they face possible suspension and arrest.

Noah Beckman, president of the student body government, said students will not negotiate. "We will not let the campus go unless Jane Fernandes resigns," he said.

For the past week, the demonstrations that rattled the campus in May when Fernandes was named have flared again. What started with opposition to her and the way she was chosen has grown into a far more complicated and consuming standoff that has paralyzed the school during the midterm exam week. And a growing number of people have become annoyed by the continuous disruption of education.

Yesterday afternoon, faculty leaders tried to hand-deliver a letter to Fernandes and then e-mailed it to her. "Gallaudet University is in crisis," the letter said, and the faculty leaders appealed to her to resign as president designate.

"The whole school i s speaking now," said junior Chris Corrigan, a protest leader. Students announced in an e-mail that there had been a coup d'universit é and that they no longer recognized Jordan as president.

Jordan, who has been a civil rights hero to many deaf people since student protests carried him into office nearly 20 years ago, making him the first deaf university president, stood in a mass of emotional protesters demanding answers yesterday morning.

Gallaudet is watched by deaf people worldwide; it's a symbol of strength, accomplishment and possibility, and it carries an emotional weight far greater than most schools. At the same time, it's a world unto itself, with generations of families calling it home. And accusations and misunderstandings quickly reverberate in the close-knit deaf community.

Students and administrators had been in talks late Tuesday to resolve a standoff at a classroom building taken over by students Friday. But football players frustr ated by the disruption of classes and by the stalemate decided to try to speed things up, said captain Jason Coleman. He said he was upset about the school's low graduation rates, which have hovered for years around 40 percent, and asked why Fernandes, who has been provost for the past six years, had not been able to change that.

As messages spread from pager to pager overnight, the crowd grew from dozens to hundreds of students early yesterday. Scores of burly football players stood in lines with their shoulders thrown back defiantly, glowering and blocking the main entrance. With a drum pounding in the background, students surged around the few cars that tried to get in to the campus, which includes elementary and secondary schools for deaf students, arguing in sign language with angry drivers.

"Resign now," Coleman said he would tell Fernandes. "It's as simple as that. If you resign, we can move on with our lives."

Fernandes sent a statement by BlackB erry yesterday afternoon. "Although the current situation is serious, if I . . . abandoned my commitment at this point, which I have no intention of doing, it would only become worse for the University, in general, and future Boards of Trustees and presidents, in particular. We live in a country that is governed by the rule of law, not anarchy."

The day was full of surreal scenes, as the shutdown forced the university's drama onto the sidewalks. The chairman of the faculty senate went through negotiations to deliver a message to Jordan, arguments spun out in view of all, and a professor delivered lectures at the side of a road.

Interim Provost Michael Moore wandered outside the gates, exhausted, until a student let him in for negotiations. He thought (and students agreed) that a real step forward had been made before talks broke around midnight, he said shortly after 8 a.m.

Jordan was swarmed when he appeared at the front gates. Pressing up against him, students confronted him about negotiations, about accommodations for blind students, about why Fernandes wasn't there, about lies they said had been told.

That moment offered a glimpse of how many issues are swirling. Somehow, the naming of Fernandes sparked a protest that is now about far more than just one person.

Some are protesting because they think the board hasn't listened, some because they think Fernandes will not promote deaf culture, some because they think the administration has lied. Some are mad about perceived racism on campus, some because they see discrimination against deaf people even here, the one place they expect equal access. Some said protesters were consistently denied interpreters, cutting off their means of communication with the hearing world.

And from the beginning, there have been complaints about Fernandes from those who say she has alienated people, walled herself off and failed as a leader.

With each argument, Fern andes, the board, Jordan and her other supporters have tried to refute, resolve or explain. The chairman of the board said yesterday in an e-mail that the lockdown was unacceptable and that the administration would continue negotiating with students but that the protesters' shifting demands had made it difficult.

Jordan said in a statement yesterday afternoon that the campus has been held hostage. "I have been asked why I haven't used police to end the stand off. It is because I care about the safety of all of our students more than the protesters care about anything but getting their way. . . . The faculty members who are instigating and manipulating the students have simply gone too far in pursuit of their own agendas."

A small counter-protest formed at another gate, with professors and students expressing anger about the chaos. And a large number, put by research scientist Charles Reilly at hundreds, signed a statement saying that they had different opinions about the issues but agreed that the protests had gone too far by disrupting education.

"Over the past week, we as students have felt like we live in a war zone," said Danielle Henkel, a junior who said she may transfer.

"It's infuriating," said Debra Josephson Abrams, a student and school employee. "There are more and more people like me who are sick and tired and fed up with the way this is going. . . . [The protesters] do not see the harm they are doing to the university."

Not everyone shut out was mad. "I'm saddened," professor Charles Pearce said outside the gates. "I've been here 30 years, and I can't go on my own campus."

Professor Bob Harrison, who said he understood the protesters' concerns but wanted to teach, nodded. "There's a real problem with communication here," he said.

Staff writer Paul Schwartzman contributed to this report.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company
 
Kalista, can you pls make sure you add the link of it? So that way I can show it to my friend. Thanks for the first one.
 
I even saw Gallaudet protest on TV earlier today
with our Local Channel 8 news
 
Impossible, Pacman. There are 15,000 members of GUAA so don't confuse the size of the membership with how many are coming on Saturday.

Where did you get that information??? Are you alumni of Gally?

Read this quote...
Gallaudet’s Homecoming is next Saturday, October 21, and 15,000 alumni have been called upon to attend and join in the protests. “We must show the world that GALLAUDET belongs to us all!,” said an announcement. “Fill the tank, pack the kids, URGE your family, friends to go to GALLAUDET for homecoming.” The announcement says to meet at 11:30 a.m. on the Gallaudet mall, an hour before the alumni parade. However, a student message from this morning says not to wait until next Saturday. “We need mass numbers. Do not wait until HOMECOMING. Come now!!! Ok? Thanks.”
 
I read it Pacman

There is no way will have 15,000 alumnis to go there. Alumnis have the reunions coming up. I dont think it wouldnt be 15,000. I am alumni and I am not going. Why should I?
 
Friday the 13th

Just received word if protesters are still on campus at 4 pm tomorrow they will be arrested.

Thats a good thing to happen to the old deaf guards on Friday the 13th!

Richard
 
I read it Pacman

There is no way will have 15,000 alumnis to go there. Alumnis have the reunions coming up. I dont think it wouldnt be 15,000. I am alumni and I am not going. Why should I?

Well, it's total but optional about go here.
 
man gally is so messed up good thing i m not there

Yea, it would take some time to move on and Jane is going resign soon, as she can do it since getting bad pressure with protest, even getting worse right now.

I'm not going to Gally until next year after done with job and other activities.
 
I am stunned to hearing Jordan's nasty attitude

From a student: Yes this is true that the cafeteria was closed for a time], I was one of them. This morning around 8 30 am I went to cafeteria and it was closed. all lights off. The sign was posted, saying cafeteria closed… Then I walked back and saw the sign posted at Benson hall that said 8:30 cafeteria open.. I went back to cafeteria and it was 9am… And
people and I were waiting for cafe to open because I was informed from
other people that now workers got in the cafeteria and were now cooking, so it might take longer… But later I spoke to a protest leader about this Cafeteria issue. She told me that she did tell I King Jordan about the cafeteria being closed. “We need to eat, we paid for it and there are students that need to eat for medical reasons.” He was like *shrugs* and said: “Your fault, you started the protest, so no food”…

There are students that are neutral and it is not their fault that they
can’t eat…

THAT DOES SHOW that I KING JORDAN DOESN’T care ABOUT US!!!

period….

When the leader told him that there are students that have diabetes or
other health conditions who need to eat.. ALL I King Jordan did is say:
“Oh well, have them go to SHS (health/medical center)..” That’s not the
answer.. AGAIN, he DOESNT care about our health or us!… How can he do
this to US!!!???


I picked King Jordan up from Logan Airport in Boston ten years ago. He came to Massachusetts for giving a presentation for the MSAD Awardeness week. He seemed friendly and down to earth. We chatted in the car trip to Framingham. We stopped by a cup of coffee at DD. I am impressed, he is very esthuasiam man to keep Gallaudet run for years since 1988.

I am shocked to heard the blog from a student comment about King Jordan. It seems impossible what he did not care about the students become starved when the caferitia closed ? Ugh ??
 
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