[WADNet Post] May 15, 2006: News from Gallaudet University
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- Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 03:02:06 -0500
Gallaudet University News
-- Article from Washington Post with Photos of Protest
-- Statement by Gallaudet Board of Trustees
-- Messages from Elisabeth Zinsser, Ed Bosson
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Article from Washington Post with Photos of Protest
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2006/05/08/GA2006050801305_index_frames.htm?startat=1
(Contributed by: Gary Fitts, WADNet Reader)
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Statement by Gallaudet Board of Trustees
http://news.gallaudet.edu/?ID=8719
(Contributed by: Gary Fitts, WADNet Reader)
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Message from Elisabeth Zinser, Ed Bosson
Excerpt from emails sent to Tom Willard & Nancylynn Ward
About the protests at Gallaudet University today I can provide little
substance because I am not there and do not have direct knowledge of
circumstances. Moreover, I do not know or have a position on any of the
people considered for the presidency. With that in mind, I will offer
some general observations from a distance and from a deep regard for the
University and its integrity. I will be most grateful for your reactions
and especially to learn your views. I understand and respect that we may
differ in our perspectives.
First, the cause pursued in the 1988 protest and the cause of protests
at Gallaudet today are worlds apart. The 1988 protest the "Deaf
President Now (DPN) Movement" was about the appointment of a hearing
person as president rather than the appointment of Gallaudet's first
deaf president. It was also a call for a few other related changes
regarding the Board of Trustees. DPN sparked a genuine civil rights
movement for the recognition and empowerment of deaf and hard of hearing
people everywhere. The center of gravity was Gallaudet University
because it was then and is now the flagship institution for, by and
about deaf and hard of hearing people, education and research. I had the
privilege to be a part of the epiphany of new understanding and respect
in the "hearing world" toward deaf and hard of hearing people and the
historic turning point toward progressive emancipation of deaf people
from the bondage of society's prejudice. Of course, we understood that
much lay ahead to accomplish these aims over many years, even
decades. That work continues today in institutions, organizations and
communities throughout this nation and beyond. The DPN in 1988 was THE
historic event that launched this new direction of fundamental change on
behalf of deaf and hard of hearing people and their full participation
in helping to shape our society. At the moment on the Gallaudet campus,
it appears that the protesters are simply complaining about the
selection made for the new President of the University - a selection
among three deaf leaders experienced in educational administration. This
is not a civil rights cause, or anything close to it. It is a normal
situation in which some people will agree and some people will disagree
with a decision made in the course of University governance. The
protesters have the right to express themselves in our free society, but
I humbly believe that the choice of tactics is at best immature and that
any analogy to the DPN Movement is naive. I would even argue that such
an analogy trivializes the true significance of the DPN Movement and the
extraordinary social progress that followed. Let me quote from my
resignation speech, which I'm sure is on file in the Gallaudet
University Library, along with many other writings and news coverage of
that time when academic integrity yielded to cultural dignity in a
conflict between these two goods. It was a rare moment when such a trade
off was necessary and wise. The cultural dignity cause was compelling
and well beyond Gallaudet University itself. [In resigning] I have
responded to this extraordinary social movement of deaf people, not to
the demands of the protesters [per se]. I warn all students and
presidents of universities across the nation that the Gallaudet
situation today is unique. It is a civil rights movement in history for
deaf people.The events in Washington this week should provide no lesson
to any other college or university that an action like a campus siege
will be tolerated. Today is not their civil rights time. And I add today
that Gallaudet University has had its civil rights moment in March of
1988 when the world heard deaf and hard of hearing people. Society has
been listening with greater insight and respect from that time on. How
wonderful to know that, like Dr. I King Jordan, the next president of
Gallaudet University will be a role model and a symbol of ability and
achievement within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. Dr.
Fernandes will do so with her own style. Moreover, I am mindful that
there is not just one "deaf culture". Like all people of a common
heritage and/or experience, the "deaf community" is not uniform. There
are many differences within and across identity groups. Such diversity
across our multiple "memberships" is a national strength and a source of
deep learning for human progress and society's future.
Second, it seems to me that even those who may have preferred another
selection for president have every reason to hold confidence in the
Board that just executed its most important charge: to select a strong
leader for the University. After all, the DPN Movement launched
fundamental change in the composition and level of knowledge about deaf
and hard of hearing education and Gallaudet University. It seems to me -
admittedly from a distance - that there is ample cause for trusting the
wisdom of the Board.
Third, I am very impressed by the leadership provided by President I.
King Jordan over these many years. He has earned the high esteem and
appreciation being expressed throughout the Gallaudet community and
among leaders in education and public policy. It seems to me
inconsistent for anyone to have such high confidence in Dr. Jordan¡¦s
leadership and judgment and at the same time question the abilities of
his provost to succeed in following him as president. Such an effective
presidency does not happen because of the abilities and qualities of the
president alone; they happen because the president chooses and develops
a great team of outstanding associates. That the academic leader who has
served as Dr. Jordan's provost has now been selected to lead Gallaudet
as president (following a competitive national search) might well be
celebrated as another indication of the progress at Gallaudet University
in producing outstanding leaders. Surely the widespread confidence in
Dr. Jordan's judgment and track record in supporting growth in his
associates is one of many reasons to have confidence that Dr. Jane
Fernandes is well prepared to assume her new leadership responsibilities.
Fourth, being an internal candidate for a presidency anywhere presents
special challenges. Gallaudet is no exception. The individual has served
in another capacity, demanding somewhat different approaches. Academic
leadership through the provost role is one of the most valuable career
experiences in preparation for becoming a very successful president -
whether intended at the outset or not.
On the other hand, it is all too easy for some people to assume that the
individual making such a transition will carry all the same approaches
to things from the provost role to the president role. That is not the
case at all. The seasoned academic leader knows and is prepared for new
ways of doing things and appropriate adjustments to her or his style,
building upon the insights and experiences of having been the second
person in command, so to speak. It would be wise for members of the
Gallaudet community to bear this reality in mind and also the value of
change in the course of any presidential transition.
Finally, colleges and universities are about learning - including about
appropriate principles and practices of governance of institutions in a
democratic society. Gallaudet University is a fine institution of higher
learning in the best sense of the term. Hence, I am confident that the
University community will restore civil and thoughtful discourse and
make wise meaning of the current upheaval, thereby paving the way for
Dr. Fernandes to establish herself in the presidency with mutual respect
on campus and renewed attention to the University's next phase of
development. Again, please know that I make these observations with
humility because I am far removed in time and distance from Gallaudet.
None the less, I have never lost my genuine regard and care for the
institution - its people, its mission, its character, and its future. I
could not be more pleased by the great progress made under the
leadership of my friend and colleague, Dr. I. King Jordan. It is special
that we are retiring in the same year.
Warmly, Elisabeth Zinser
President, Southern Oregon University
Past President of Gallaudet University for four days in 1988
*****
"Bosson, Ed" <ed.bosson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Truth be told I've
flip-flopped from one side to other and then to the other side.
Being an outsider, it is hard to get all the pertinent facts. I often
distrust these "spin-off doctors" who may have been a puppet to the
leaders of "behind the scene". I see quite a bit of spin-off doctors
from both sides. Having worked closely with grassroots folks over the
years, I've noticed from time to time that what leaders want and what
grassroots folks want sometimes are two different things. I've
noticed the pattern where the "educated" leaders would use sheer volume
of "facts" to overpower the grassroots folks who may not be as educated
or perhaps bit immature, but they follow their intuitive/instincts as to
what they perceive are right. Anyway and consequently, the grassroots
folks may not have very good compelling reasons why they acted so, but
even so still they fight on simply because they "feel" it is the right
thing. More often than not, the wishes of the leaders often wins out
nevermind if it is the right thing or not - I'm sure lot of times they
are, though.
Is this Gally incident, whether the "leaders" are right or not, I
hesitate to say strongly either way.
Also I noticed an interesting remark from one of the hearing students
from University Texas who had been following the incidents at Gally
saying that "UT students do not have any say about who gets to be
president of UT" or something to this effect. With 55K of students (at
UT) which is the largest student body in the USA, I kinda understand
why. There will be significant number of students protesting against
the selected applicants no matter what. With Gallaudet University, it
may be bit different due to the very nature of deaf culture? Even so, I
wondered...
I got to wondering about smaller universities, also those smaller
uiversities that cater to black people - do they have similar problems
hiring "Oreo" or "Uncle Tom" black people and do the students protest
against that? It is the same as "audism" issue going on right now at
Gally. Do any of you know if that is the case or not?
I still do not know what is the right thing. I am guessing that
giving JF a chance is probably the right thing. However, it seems that
a case shld be made strongly to put burden of accountability not on JF,
but on BOT - to ensure that the selected applicant is doing what she or
he should be doing; to constantly challenge new Prexy to do what he or
she needs to do? It seems to me, historically, BOT has been very
forgiving - perhaps too forgiving(?) so shld the role of BOT be clearly
identified to ensure that the wishes of the teeming masses which is to
make sure President of Gally does the expected works and do them well?
I seem to think so, but I am not sure how to create this mandate. Do
any of you?
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed Bosson RT Administrator TTY/Video Phone (dl-vp and s-vp) :
512/936-7147 Voice User: 866-410-5787 Ext. 74430 FAX: 512/936-7003
(Contributed by: Gary Fitts, WADNet Reader)
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Leslie Riggs
WADNet Post Editor & Listserv Administrator
Wisconsin Association of the Deaf
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