Deaf President Now James Anderson Ann Whitney Travis
- Slides: 9
Deaf President Now! James Anderson Ann Whitney Travis Daley
“Prejudice is believing that deaf people have to be taken care of. ”
Day 1 Sunday March 6, 1988 n n n The Board of Trustees met to select the 7 th president of Gallaudet University. The board considered three candidates. Two of the candidates were deaf and one was hearing. The only hearing candidate Elisabeth Zinser was chosen to be the next President of Gaulladet. Students and many deaf individuals felt that the next president of Gallaudet University should be deaf. They came to Gallaudet University to show they felt. They held a big rally and said, “We want a deaf president now!”
Day 2 Monday March 7, 1988 § § At dawn on Monday, they drove several cars to each of the University's entrances and deflated their tires, blocking the way onto as well as off the campus. Protest leaders met to formalize their demands n n Zinser must resign and a deaf president selected. Spilman must resign from the Board. The percentage of deaf members on the Board of Trustees must be increased to at least 51%. There must be no reprisals against any of the protesters.
Day 3 Tuesday March 8, 1988 n n n The gates were re-opened and people were allowed to come and go. Students boycotted classes and attended rallies and speeches instead. The faculty held a meeting to discuss among themselves what to do.
Day 4 Wednesday March 9, 1988 n n More meetings were held to try and come up with a resolution. Zinser was urged to step down, but she refused.
Day 5 Thursday March 10, 1988 n n Amid speculation that Zinser and Spilman were going to force their way onto campus, the students drove Gallaudet school buses to the gates of the campus and deflated the tires. I. King Jordan retracted his support for the Board's decision to appoint Zinser.
Day 6 Friday March 11, 1988 n Zinser resigns n n The first demand was met Three more to go
Day 8 Sunday March 13, 1988 n Board of Trustees met all the demands of the students. n n n Zinser and Spilman had resigned Bravin was named the next chair of the Board of Trustees A taskforce would be set up to determine the best way to achieve a 51% deaf majority on the Board No reprisals against students involved in protests Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth, and first ever deaf president of Gallaudet University.
