Unity for Gallaudet Movement 2006 Presentation By Jennifer

Unity for Gallaudet Movement (2006) Presentation By Jennifer Gates (A. S. L. 1020)

Starting Point In September 2005, President I. King Jordan announced his retirement. – In May 2006, Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees announced that Jane K. Fernandes would become the next President for Gallaudet University. Fernandes was the University’s current provost (academic administrator). – According to students, Fernandes lacked the warmth and fluency of ASL, even though she was Deaf. – President Jordan wanted to support Fernandes and accused some critics of rejecting her because they thought, “she is not deaf enough. " He said, “We are squabbling about what it means to be deaf. " –

Gallaudet Movement Begins! – In the spring 2006 protest, students blocked entrances to the Gallaudet campus, held rallies, and set up tents near the University's main entrance. – Fernandes said that she would not step down until Jordan retired, as she was appointed to serve as president-designate. – On May 8, the faculty gave a vote of no confidence for Dr. Fernandes. – Fall 2006 academic year resumed, some students, faculty, staff, and alumni continued their protest, calling for Fernandes to step down and the for the presidential search to be done again.

Gallaudet Movement Continues! • On October 11, a group of protesting students shut down the campus. • On October 16, at a regularly scheduled meeting, faculty members voted 138 -24 to block Dr. Fernandes from becoming president of Gallaudet University. • Fernandes said, "I really don't understand so I have to believe it's not about me. . I believe it's about evolution and change and growth in the deaf community. "

Gallaudet Movement Continued • On December 10, 2006, the Board of Trustees announced that Robert Daliva would serve as interim president for a period of up to two years. Robert Daliva is scheduled to step down on December 31, 2009. • On May 9, 2007, Daliva was formally installed during a ceremony that included a speech by D. C. Congressional Delegate Eleanor Homes Norton, who spoke positively of the 2006 protest. • On October 18, 2009, the Board of Trustees announced that Gallaudet's tenth president will be Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, who will begin his term on January 1, 2010.

Conclusion • I felt that students and faculty wanted to be heard and understood in their practices of ASL. I also felt that learning ASL is important for Gallaudet University. • I value President I. King Jordan’s attempt at acceptance to allow all people the opportunity to contribute to the University. • I felt that the school’s students and faculty should have given Jane Fernandes the opportunity to lean ASL while administrating at Gallaudet University.

References and Questions • Go to Google, search for this movement, and then click on these title: Gallaudet University Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Gallaudet_University) to find the article containing information about the Unity for Gallaudet Movement (2006). It should say after Deaf President Now, DPN (1988). • Any Questions?