Further message from BoT

TO: Gallaudet University
FROM Board of Trustees
DATE: October 29, 2006
RE: Statement of the Board

“The Board of Trustees respects the right of people to express their views in a peaceful manner. However, individuals who violated the law and Gallaudet University’s Code of Conduct will be held accountable. We expect the University to honor its long tradition of respect for each other and property and to return to normal.”

Statement by I. King Jordan

Signature: Gallaudet University – Public Relations/Visitors Center

Statement by I. King Jordan

“The struggle during the past several months has been very painful for all of us. I am deeply troubled by the divisions among us and by the anger that overtook reason, respect, and civility.

“Now we must all come together for the sake of Gallaudet, particularly for the sake of Gallaudet’s students–those who are our students now and those who will be students in the future.

“I want to thank Jane Fernandes for her dedication and courage and her standing up for what’s right. I am personally saddened–for Gallaudet and for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes–that she will not have the opportunity to
show Gallaudet and the world what a great president she could have been. Her vision and her plans to make that vision come to life would have guided the university we all love into a bright future. The Board of Trustees saw that promise when they selected Dr. Fernandes as president. In order to resolve the current stalemate the Board has deemed it necessary to steer a different course, and I accept their decision. Now we must all put down our weapons of words and seek to restore a sense of community.

“In my Town Hall speech last November I said there is more that unites us than divides us. I think we lost sight of that for a time and we must work together to refocus on the core values that unite us. We should not look for a resolution to the struggle of recent months in terms of winners and losers. If we do, Gallaudet and our students will
be the losers.”

Statement by Jane K. Fernandes

“It is with deep regret that I heard the Board’s decision to terminate my contract.

“I love Gallaudet University and I believe I could have made a significant contribution to its future. I hope that the Gallaudet community can heal the wounds that have been created. I trust that we all want a stronger, better, more inclusive Gallaudet where ASL and Deaf culture have been and always will be at the core of academic and community life.”

About time: BoT finally listened

Signature: Gallaudet University – Public Relations/Visitors Center

TO: Campus Community

FROM: Board of Trustees

DATE: October 29, 2006

RE: Board of Trustees Meeting

Today, we announce with much regret and pain that after serious deliberation in a special, all-day Executive Session of the Board of Trustees, we have voted to terminate Dr. Fernandes’ appointment asPresident-Designate (currently effective) and President (effectivebeginning January 1, 2007) at Gallaudet University.

We understand the impact of this decision and the important issues that inherently arise when a Board re-examines decisions in the face of an on-going protest. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of he University to terminate Dr. Fernandes from the incoming President’s position. Although undoubtedly there will be some members of the
community who have differing views on the meaning of this decision, we believe that it is a necessity at this point. The Board is continuing to meet to discuss transitional issues.

It has certainly been a difficult and trying time for our Gallaudet community. Now is the time for healing. The hope of the Board of Trustees is for our beloved community to come together to work for a stronger and better Gallaudet.

5 more Presidents forced out!

We’ve found another 5 presidents who were ejected from their educational institutions in the last year after student-staff protests. The first four are from Bibliomarket and the last is from Ms Mary Ann Morrissey.

If you know of any more resigning Presidents, please let us know.

July 2006
President Manny M. Aragon
New Mexico Highlands University

Faculty members had complained that Mr Aragon, a longtime state legislator, belittled them and disregarded the principles of shared governance. He also faced accusations that, under his administration, racial factors played a role in personnel decisions. The Board of Regents sacked him.

August 2006
President Karl E. Burgher
University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Resigned after losing a faculty vote of no confidence, prompted by his “reticence to communicate effectively with members of the community,” said Christine L. Standefer, a professor of physical education and president of the University Senate. “He wasn’t really good at communicating with us and the general campus population about what he was thinking and where he was going.”

August 2006
President Louis Caldera
University of New Mexico
A son of Mexican immigrants who rose to become U.S. secretary of the Army, he resigned by mutual agreement, amid apparent friction with its Board of Regents. Caldera’s limited academic background had been criticized by faculty members.

August 2006
President Judith I. Bailey
Western Michigan University
The Board of Trustees fired her for what it called a breach of contract and unsatisfactory performance. It cited her inability to correct dipping enrolement, budget deficits, and strained relations with the faculty and the local community. Ms. Bailey irked faculty members in recent months. She led a plan to reduce graduate programs that sparked widespread criticism by professors and students, who argued that she had acted without adequately consulting them. The resulting squabble led to the resignation of the university’s provost.

Late 2005
President Kevin Rameriz
Sierra College, Sacramento

Resigned after student-staff protests over the investment of a $394 million bonds issue, and accusations of mis-management. A new Board of Trustees requested his resignation.

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TentCityUK Cartoons!

Many thanks to MM (or is it Meldrew? ) for letting us know about his work. We feel honoured that he’s spent so much time on creating cartoons about TentCity UK. More please! We gratefully reproduce them below, and hope that MM can come to TentCity UK for a nice hot cup of tea:

No, Aunt Bertha, TentCity UK won’t be this cold.



Getting Jiggy at TentCity UK

RNID decide to hold their AGM at TentCity UK!

The cartoon below shows MM’s views on people who shout JKF is ‘not deaf enough’. Irving Jordan was late deafened, and a late signer. Everyone loved him (until he lost his marbles recently). The Gally protesters include Deaf and deaf and oral deafs and cued speech users and hearing and CI people and everything in between – and all agree – JKF is not the future for Gally. It’s not about what your audiogram looks like, it’s about what’s in your heart.

Bonus MM cartoon about Gally!

IKJ creates a new order of Deaf people

Many thanks MM!

10 Main Reasons for a Tent City

Why we are supporting the protest against Gallaudet University

The protest is against the designated election of Jane K. Fernandes, who is due to take up her position as President of the University on January 2007 – the protesters have serious concerns regarding her election and have been protesting against this since May 2006.

THE 10 MAIN REASONS FOR A TENT CITY

1. Mass arrests of Deaf people in Washington D.C.

134 students were arrested in Washington D.C., at Gallaudet University, the only Deaf university in the world, on 13th October 2006. This was the biggest mass arrest of anyone in Washington D.C. since the 1960s.

2. Arrests were carried out in the dark, and ordered by the President of the University

Deaf people communicate visually – so how are deaf people expected to communicate in the dark while being arrested? The arrests were ordered by Irving King Jordan, President of Gallaudet University.

3. The Presidential search process was flawed; there are allegations of racism

All candidates were white, in spite of the university having a diverse range of staff and students. One of the applicants was an African-American, Dr. Glenn Anderson, who was not even shortlisted, even though he has a PhD and years of experience at the University of Arkansas plus other institutions. Instead, another person was shortlisted, Ron Stern (white) who is still in process of securing his doctorate degree and has no college administration experience.

Why did a person with less experience and qualifications make the final shortlist? Where was the fair selection?

It was African-Americans who first protested against the appointment of Jane Fernandes, on a point of racism.

4. Jane Fernandes secured her position as Provost at the university by improper means

For 6 years Jane Fernandes has held the position of Provost at Gallaudet. She got this position, through an improper process. Prior to this she was Vice President of the Clerc Center. In 2000, The Faculty Senate objected to the improper appointment of Jane Fernandes to the Provost position and reprimanded Dr. Jordan, which he admitted and apologised for wrongdoing (in 2000). He did not undo the process but allowed her to remain as Provost. For more information, see Dr. Carol Erting, Senator, University Faculty Senate, Professor and Chair, Department of Education

5. Jane Fernandes has shown poor leadership qualities in her time as Provost

There is evidence that Jane Fernandes has failed in her leadership on campus over 11 years in her two positions. Promises made were not followed through, including issues on racism. There have also been accusations of audism (i.e. discrimination against deaf people).

6. Protests against Fernandes have come from teachers and parents

There have been open letters from teachers and staff of the Clerc Center National Deaf Education Center (a model school) on Gallaudet campus detailing their experience under Dr. Fernandes’ leadership. Amongst other points, teachers and staff who have deaf children were threatened, personally and professionally, for not enrolling their children at Kendall or MSSD. The letter can be seen here. A former head’s letter.

7. Regular votes of no confidence have been shown against Jane Fernandes

There was a vote of no confidence by the Gallaudet faculty, in spring 2006. Nothing was done about this.

There was a vote of no confidence, again by the Gallaudet faculty, in October 2006. Of all the faculty staff, 138 staff wanted Fernandes out, and only 26 voted for her to stay.

8. It is vital that there is Unity For Gallaudet!

Without unity, the university will lose its support of people and in turn reputation. You cannot lead if the majority do not want you there; when there have been votes of no confidence in your leadership, and when you refer to peacefully protesting citizens as “terrorists”, and do so in a RADIO interview.

9. Prominent people and academics are growing in their calls for Fernandes to resign

Open letters of concern have come from prominent people, professionals ranging from a former headmaster, attorneys, clergy, professors, Presidents of deaf associations, etc, in the deaf community, all calling for resignation. Fifty other tent cities have been set up in support of the protestors and calling on Fernandes to give up her designated election.

10. A bad track record

The leaders of the previous mass protest at Gallaudet in 1988 wrote: “The campus community has already experienced her arrogant, vindictive, autocratic, and retaliatory style of leadership…Dr. Fernandes has earned few admirers on campus which has led to concerns from students, staff, and alumni as well as financial contributors to the university.”

For those interested in reading more, please read the “Must Read” page on the official protest blog

TentCity UK Location confirmed!

We have a location for Tent City UK!

After several days of frantic phoning around, trying to find somewhere to put up tents in Central London for free, we can announce the location is:

The garden of Friends House, opposite Euston Station!

Right in the heart of London! Here’s a map:

See you there on Saturday at 2pm! (that gives you enough time to watch SeeHear, BBC 2 at 12-12.45pm then come down!)

Misinformation

Rumours are going about that there will be a demo outside the US Embassy at Grosnevor Square on Thurs evening.

THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. It was discussed yes, but we decided to have a tent city on Saturday. See post below.