Calm down, Gallaudet

[The*Empress]

Surprise. Surprise. There's a lot you don't know. :roll:

What the hell do you look like? I have not seen your picture.
Are you bald head or 4 eyes or Black???

 

[Nesmuth]

Jane is not the type to bow to the 2% of the deaf society. I wish her very well, as she begins her job as the the main compass of the university, that she has the strength and courage to bounce off the storm of flak coming from the dissent.

Richard Roehm

 

[Levonian]

If she is so smart, then how come she didn't win Survivor....

OK, poor choice of words on my part. While she may not neccessarily be more intelligent than you are, she most assuredly has you beaten hands down in the personality department.

 

[Passivist]

Oh, I didn't know that I.King Jordan was not born deaf... That
means he can talk verbally....
Geez....

That isn't fair.

We really didn't have a Born Deaf Person President of Gallaudet...

I think we really do need a Deaf Person who was born DEAF and
grew up learning ASL since Toddler, and be a good role model for
all Deaf people.... and a good IDOL.

oh man, we have been Burn badly, we have been a fool, they cheated us.

No, what Gallaudet really needs is to go back to the basics, and practice real democracy and what Gallaudet was founded on and set up to do. I think in this case deaf 'power' has clearly gone to some people's heads. Teachers teach, students presumably learn, if you allow this loony fringe to continue weilding power in Gallaudet then eventually all non-ASL users will be driven out, there are signs already of a tiered approach at Gallaudet, students can only lose out if they don't conform to whatever this fringe decides has to be. We used to call it anarchy, they call it 'rights' now ! Sadly the fringe element would look on this exclusive heirachy of ASL use, as some 'Victory', yes, that mob rule can work, and unless ASL rules you're out. The next step ? ASL students will teach themselves ? Gallaudet is fast becoming a secular deaf enclave. The image of what happens when you let rights get hijacked by extremists, who advocate vandalism and preventing lessons taking place for others, deaf power in action, sure aint a pretty sight...., shame.....

 

[Nesmuth]

Definition of SCOURGE :

scourge (skûrj) pronunciation
n.

1. A source of widespread dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war.
2. A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment.
3. A whip used to inflict punishment.

tr.v., scourged, scourg·ing, scourg·es.

1. To afflict with severe or widespread suffering and devastation; ravage.
2. To chastise severely; excoriate.
3. To flog.

[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman escorge, from Old French escorgier, to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiāre : Latin ex-, intensive pref.; see ex– + Latin corrigia, thong (probably of Celtic origin).]

--------------------------------------

Excellent examples of the scourge from the old deaf guards can be found in one of Tom Bertling's published books.

AddALL.com - browse and compare book price: Tom Bertling

Looking at this particular book;

AddALL.com - Intellectual Look at American Sign Language: Clear Thinking on American Sign Language, English and Deaf Education

You can see stories of scourge casted upon prominent deaf leaders and inspirational deaf people by the old deaf guards.

Through their actions, they have made the American Sign Language into some sort of a weapon than a communication method.

Let's all pay good homage to deaf leaders who lives have been catastrophically altered after becoming victims of cyber-bullying, rumor attacks either via email, newsgroups, blogs, postings, websites, falsified restraining orders, vandalism, and through many other undue intimidating actions.

And work together at eliminating these sources of scourge within the deaf communities.

Richard Roehm

 

[photokate]

It's weird how the whole protest BEGAN AS "JKF is not deaf enough".

We've figured that out that that is bull.

Seriously with this being their midterm week, need to think clearly and focus on EDUCATION.

There needs to be a strong immediate change in the academics. English, especially, needs to be demanded to improve.

But then again, state schools need to change FIRST.

I don't know if I'm making any sense but I feel like I'm shoot fish in a barrel trying to get my thoughts straight.

 

[The*Empress]

Jane is not the type to bow to the 2% of the deaf society. I wish her very well, as she begins her job as the the main compass of the university, that she has the strength and courage to bounce off the storm of flak coming from the dissent.

Richard Roehm

If deaf students there don't like it, they can go to RIT or CSUN...
stop continuing giving money to Gallaudet...
Why not Boycott Gallaudet?

 

[The*Empress]

OK, poor choice of words on my part. While she may not neccessarily be more intelligent than you are, she most assuredly has you beaten hands down in the personality department.

Personality? She treated people bad on the tv show Survivor, that is why they bumped her butt off. Being so snobbish.

 

[Banjo]

It's weird how the whole protest BEGAN AS "JKF is not deaf enough".

That quote was picked up by the media, only a few people had made that comment. Like usual, there's always a few morons in every protest who grab the media's attention by saying something outrageous.

 

[The*Empress]

It's weird how the whole protest BEGAN AS "JKF is not deaf enough".

We've figured that out that that is bull.

Seriously with this being their midterm week, need to think clearly and focus on EDUCATION.

There needs to be a strong immediate change in the academics. English, especially, needs to be demanded to improve.

But then again, state schools need to change FIRST.

I don't know if I'm making any sense but I feel like I'm shoot fish in a barrel trying to get my thoughts straight.

Going to College is not about just getting an education.
It is all about LIFE...
Look at those Pilots striking and teachers striking and Workers protesting, even GarbageMen protested because of bad job condition and health problem and getting pay in low salary is not fair, and all...

Students there have the right to fight for their needs....
they all said that education there sucks... and they need a Deaf President
who can give them what they want... to compromise... and to
make education much better.... and getting their money worth....

They want Gallaudet to be the best school in USA...
What is wrong with that?

 

[deafskeptic]

No, what Gallaudet really needs is to go back to the basics, and practice real democracy and what Gallaudet was founded on and set up to do. I think in this case deaf 'power' has clearly gone to some people's heads. Teachers teach, students presumably learn, if you allow this loony fringe to continue weilding power in Gallaudet then eventually all non-ASL users will be driven out, there are signs already of a tiered approach at Gallaudet, students can only lose out if they don't conform to whatever this fringe decides has to be. We used to call it anarchy, they call it 'rights' now ! Sadly the fringe element would look on this exclusive heirachy of ASL use, as some 'Victory', yes, that mob rule can work, and unless ASL rules you're out. The next step ? ASL students will teach themselves ? Gallaudet is fast becoming a secular deaf enclave. The image of what happens when you let rights get hijacked by extremists, who advocate vandalism and preventing lessons taking place for others, deaf power in action, sure aint a pretty sight...., shame.....

I should point out that Gally was founded as a College for signers. I would think it'd be logcial that ASL is the favored language.

That is what I thought at first - untill I found out that ASL is still not taught as a language at Gally. I'm not against ASL per se but I dislike having some ASL users make fun of my sign language which is very English. I have never been able to confirm to the ideal ASL Deaf model.

The fact that ASL is not taught as a language or recognized at Gally suggested to me that the students' communication needs aren't being met. Some Hearing colleges have ASL taught as a language. Why not Gally of all the places?

This will directly affect policy regarding regarding the students' communication needs.

For example many Gally professors have minimal signing skills.

I remember my history professor well. He could barely sign and he mumbled a lot. He was clearly burnt out and hated his job. This made it difficult for me to understand him. I've been accused of being an oralist's oralist. I find that ironic as pure oralists would rake me over the coals for using sign at all.

Now I know some ASL deaf have good oral skills and all but you have to ask yourself if I'm having a difficult time with this guy, what it be like for the ASL deaf? I don't even want to think about it.

How are you supposed to get an education if you can't understand the prof? I don't think the ASL students expect the prof to be ASL deaf - only that the prof be able to sign well enough to be understood by all.

I think it's likely there's a pattern of ignoring needs and hence the frustration.
Input from the Gally community (profs, students and staff) is vital so the higher ups can enforce appropriate policies. This isn't a hearing college where communication is taken for granted. I'm told JKF has never asked for input. Hearing has a hard time understanding that communication is VITAL for the deaf.

While I don't agree with the tactics like throwing apple juice or shutting down HMB, I think they do have a good reason to protest JKF .

 

[deafdyke]

from Gally FSSA News

Letter from Clerc Center Staff
Filed under: General, - Staff, FSSA — gufssa @ 5:12 pm
NOTE: The authors’ names are withheld due to fear of reprisals.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2006

Contact:
ClercCenterProtest@yahoo.com

Teachers and Staff at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Call
for the Resignation of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes from Gallaudet University.

Washington, DC – October 13, 2006 – Following a meeting yesterday
morning, a
group of teachers and staff currently working at the colloquially-known
Clerc Center resolved on a number of matters; the most pertinent is our
call
for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes to respectfully resign her post as
president-select of Gallaudet University. We present as justification
the
following rationale and, finally, propose a series of mandates as steps
toward healing the still-lingering damage from Dr. Fernandes’ tenure as
Vice
President of Pre-College National Mission Programs. As a result, we
are
opposed to allowing Dr. Fernandes the chance to impose similar damage
on
Gallaudet University as a whole.

We are representative of a larger Clerc Center community. We did not
approve of Gallaudet University’s decision to close Clerc Center on
October
11 and 12. The protesters were prepared to allow MSSD and Kendall
staff
on-campus so that education for pre-collegiate students could continue
uninterrupted. University administrators shoulder the burden of
responsibility for the two days of lost teaching time for those
students.

While we do not condone negative tactics by either protesters or
administration officials, we look forward to a peaceful resolution.

Rationale:
During her tenure as the vice president of Pre-College National Mission
Programs (PCNMP) from 1995 to 2000, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes ignored,
alienated, and disrespected teachers and staff. During a period of
restructuring in 1996, the teachers and staff at PCNMP sought to offer
additional advice and direction, only to be shunned and mocked. To
continue
our employment, we had to endure an atmosphere of distrust and fear.
This
statement of our oppression is long overdue.

As proof of Dr. Fernandes being an ineffectual leader and damaging the
infrastructure of Clerc Center, we offer the following:


A poll was conducted during the May protests. Fifty-eight percent of
the
teachers at the Clerc Center participated in this poll, where 82%
stated
they did not support the process that selected Dr. Fernandes as the 9th
president.
In addition to the first poll question, the second poll question asked
teachers if they were ready to move on and accept Dr. Fernandes as the
9th
president, 79% voted NO.
Class sizes were drastically expanded with many levels of instructional
needs in one class.
Due to Dr. Fernandes’ changes in the educational programs at PCNMP,
enrollment plummeted, only to increase dramatically after her departure
from
the Clerc Center.
Many support staff members gave up their primary roles to intervene
with a
significant increase in student violence inside the school due to
forced
removal of the disciplinary system without implementation of
alternative
options.
Dr. Fernandes saw no value in the faculty governance system and the
grievance process, which were both eliminated during her tenure.
Many jobs, departments, and programs were closed (i.e., Performing Arts
Program, Special Opportunities Program, Woodshop, Driver’s Education,
Communication Department, Career Development Program, International
Student
Exchange Program).
The dissolution of Student Development program had a huge negative
impact on
the quality of student leadership (i.e. Peer Mediation, Judicial Board,
Student Body Government, student-run enrichment days).
After restructuring, department budgets were combined and teams had
less
control over their respective budgets. As a result, available monies
for
departments were reduced. This led to outdated materials and equipment
available to teachers and staff.
The dissolution of academic departments left teachers/staff no choice
but to
work/teach outside their content areas. Some competent and skilled
people
quit as a result of being asked to do things for which they weren’t
qualified.
The issue of accountability was not clearly defined. Under Dr.
Fernandes,
people didn’t know who to contact regarding policy and procedures.
As proof of Dr. Fernandes alienating and ignoring teachers and staff,
we
offer the following:


The removal of tenure in a non-democratic way, without teacher input
and
involvement.
Faculty status of teachers was stripped.
Opportunities to apply for sabbatical leave were also denied. In the
past,
use of sabbatical leave made implementation of several successful
programs
possible (i.e., Structure of ASL and Deaf Studies courses,
Minority/Multicultural Programs, Family Math program).
In 1996, Lead Teachers asked for one full school year to plan, to set
up and
to implement a new system. They requested this time to find resources
and
to set aside time for training. Dr. Fernandes ignored the majority
opinion,
listening instead to selected advisors.
Teachers’ requests to order certain books were ignored. Older
resources
were thrown out and new materials ordered without teacher input which
caused
problems for teachers using thematic instruction.
When the Curriculum Enhancement program was implemented in place of the
Elective Department, Dr. Fernandes allowed 40 plus students in many
individual CE classes that lasted 90 minutes to allow grade team
teachers
and staff to meet and plan. CE Teachers at Kendall were helpless and
unable to manage their classes and to discipline unruly students.
When restructuring caused students and parents frustration, confusion,
and
sometimes, anger, teachers and staff members were left alone to bear
the
consequences of decisions they had no part in making.
The Special Opportunity Program was disbanded without transition. The
needs
of deaf students with additional or unique needs were not being met.
They
often sat in “mainstream” classes and contributed little or nothing,
which
caused educational and emotional distractions for other students.
As proof of Dr. Fernandes creating an atmosphere of distrust and fear,
we
offer the following:


Teachers and staff who have deaf children were threatened, personally
and
professionally, for not enrolling their children at Kendall or MSSD.
Dr. Fernandes prevented teachers from meeting during work hours by
encouraging the disbandment of the faculty organization.
Termination of the Sunshine Fund that teachers and staff created for
sending
cards and/or gifts when appropriate for certain occasions (i.e.,
anniversaries, births, deaths, hospitalizations, weddings);
Dr. Fernandes also allowed no support for personal milestones, losses
and
celebrations of any kind. She stated that “We are not here to have fun
and
play. We are here to work.”
When people asked Dr. Fernandes for her input, she responded by telling
us
to make decisions ourselves, only to criticize us for our incompetence.
We
were constantly criticized for every little step we made and afraid to
take
risks.
Forcing us to undergo radical change without any direction and often
under
harsh criticism resulted in such severe grieving that outside
counselors and
consultants were brought in to heal wounds. Dr. Fernandes was nowhere
to be
found.
Dr. Fernandes put a stop to the Teacher Evaluation System that was used
for
many years. When problems escalated, she had the revised TES
implemented.
Dr. Fernandes did not bother with follow-up review to make sure the
process
was just and fair.
The removal of the sabbatical leave during Dr. Fernandes’
administration
occurred when she successfully manipulated a few personnel into
supporting
her decision and informed a certain member of the Gallaudet University
Board
of Trustees that the majority of faculty and staff agreed.
Mandates Proposed by Laurent Clerc Center Teachers/Staff:


We deserve the opportunity to set up an organization where our voice
will be
heard.
We desire shared governance.
We support the FSSA’s demands.

 

[Passivist]

If you had a deaf president before Kng Jordan then Why wasn't ASL part of the Gallaudet set up,I thought that was the POINT of electing people like him ? Seems a lot of 'blame' is being attached for a system that has been there DURING a deaf presidents time there ! The witch hunt of Fernandez is not helping deaf people, either at Gallaudet or as some overall campaign example elsewhere. Obviously American Universities are run differently to the UK ones, we get no say in who teaches, or who runs the University and the post of a 'president' seems somewhat strange a concept to us. To us obviously the credentials of a tutor is primary we don't want to be taught by amateurs, however the fact they don't sign ISN'T a major issue here, (you cannot insist someone signs for you), but we do campaign for back up to follow. The whole Gallaudet set up doesn't appear to make sense education wise, and has deteriorated into a political not an educational access campaign, students have lost lessons ,deaf people are now losing ground. That cannot be good for deaf people. NO ASL cannot rule the campus, it must be accommodated that's all, but other modes are used as well, and THEY aren't accommodated at Gallaudet either, you cannot insist on good lip-speaking tutors/president, have sign users even ASKED for tutors to be good ones as well as good ASL users.... thereby hangs the real issues.... Gallaudet is multicultural/ethnic do tutors have to learn spanish etc ? appears not !

 

[Reba]

... Obviously American Universities are run differently to the UK ones, we get no say in who teaches, or who runs the University....

It's also a strange concept to most Americans. I don't know of any other American college where the students have a say in the selection of university president, and most don't even care.

Just an observation: I find it interesting that many of the protesting students are about the same age that "Jane" was when she first learned sign language. So what if she didn't learn until she was 23. At least she saw the value of learning ASL while she was a young adult. Was it her "fault" that she grew up oral?

Where is the diversity and acceptance of the Deaf community? How does all this rancor effect Gally students who also grew up oral, or have CIs? Do they feel welcome and included at the school?

What is the public perception of this protest? The general hearing world thinks that the students are protesting against an individual instead of focusing on problems with the college's academic reputation and policies.

So sad.

 

[dkf747]

It's also a strange concept to most Americans. I don't know of any other American college where the students have a say in the selection of university president, and most don't even care.

What does that have to with the price of tea in China? (Always wanted to use that phrase). Gallaudet is a special place. So what if it isn't done that way elsewhere.

 

[Nesmuth]

The old deaf guards only represent the last 2% of the entire deaf society. They have brought scourge upon deaf people. Theyre not worth your time anymore. Theyre not worth occupying Gallaudet University space any more either. It's time to sweep the old deaf guards off the Gallaudet campus, off the face of the deaf society.

Excellent examples of the scourge from the old deaf guards can be found in one of Tom Bertling's published books.

Looking at this particular book, American Sign Language: Shattering the Myth, AddALL.com - American Sign Language: Shattering the Myth

You can see stories of scourge casted upon prominent deaf leaders and inspirational deaf people by the old deaf guards. Even some of the scourge took place on Gallaudet University.

Let's all pay good homage to deaf leaders who lives have been catastrophically altered after becoming victims of cyber-bullying, rumor attacks either via email, newsgroups, blogs, postings, websites, falsified restraining orders, vandalism, and through many other undue intimidating actions.

And let's work together at eliminating these sources of scourge within the deaf communities. And we can begin this at the Gallaudet University Campus. Lets sweep the old deaf guards off the campus this moment.

I'll be dealing with advertisers who buy ad spaces on the old deaf guard websites. They dont really support just the websites. They really support the terrorism and scourge the old deaf guards have brought upon many people. Time to nip this old deaf guard problem and the scourge they bring on people today!

Finally I wish Jane all the best, as she begins her journey as the the main compass of the university, that she has the strength and courage to bounce off the storms of flak and scourge coming from the old deaf guards and the dissent.

Richard Roehm
Chief Executive Officer
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center

 

[Passivist]

People expect from the deaf at Gallaudet, and now feel let down bythe chaos that is happening, especially the mainstream perceptions of it, which is almost unanimously that Gallaudet deaf are anti-hearing, and power mad. This reflects on the rest of deaf people, despite die hards at Gallaudet stating 'we do it our way', but it does reflect on us too, especially the bad press WE all have to counter, and, those who would enhance deaf access now having second thoughts about it. Almost globallythe world deaf are of the view... OH MY GOD !! what are they doing ?

 

[deafskeptic]

It's also a strange concept to most Americans. I don't know of any other American college where the students have a say in the selection of university president, and most don't even care.

Just an observation: I find it interesting that many of the protesting students are about the same age that "Jane" was when she first learned sign language. So what if she didn't learn until she was 23. At least she saw the value of learning ASL while she was a young adult. Was it her "fault" that she grew up oral?

Where is the diversity and acceptance of the Deaf community? How does all this rancor effect Gally students who also grew up oral, or have CIs? Do they feel welcome and included at the school?

What is the public perception of this protest? The general hearing world thinks that the students are protesting against an individual instead of focusing on problems with the college's academic reputation and policies.

So sad.

Speaking of diversity, here's an interesting take by Kristi Merriweather who is a person of color. I wonder what the rest of the students of color must think of this whole affair?

I think that Gally policies and academic rep is online and I think common ground should be found and that instead of dividing each other, we should work together to improve things. Like it or not, Gallaudet's reputation is on line and it is possible that Gally may not survive this.

 

[Nesmuth]

Speaking of diversity, here's an interesting take by Kristi Merriweather who is a person of color. I wonder what the rest of the students of color must think of this whole affair?

I think that Gally policies and academic rep is online and I think common ground should be found and that instead of dividing each other, we should work together to improve things. Like it or not, Gallaudet's reputation is on line and it is possible that Gally may not survive this.

If Gally is doomed to fail, I can help that happen too. Gally is a big old ship with a lot of holes covered with rice paper. I know where the holes are and whether I poke on the rice paper holes is up to the Gally administration. They found me in one of them and I got banned.

Richard

 

[deafskeptic]

I'd rather see Gally survive.