Gallaudet United Now Movement

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The Unity for Gallaudet Movement is a protest movement started by students, faculty and alumni of Gallaudet University and other sympathizers who do not support the nomination of Dr. Jane Fernandes as president of the university. I. King Jordan, Gallaudet University's previous president who was brought into the office as a result of the [1] Deaf President Now Movement announced his retirement for the end of 2006. His successor was narrowed to three possible candidates - the two that were eliminated were Ronald Stern and Stephen Weiner, leaving Fernandes the presidency.

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[edit] Spring protest

On May 1, 2006, Celia May Baldwin, the chairperson of Board of Trustees announced the 9th president of Gallaudet University to be Dr. Jane Fernandes. During the announcement there was an uproar from the audience, protesting the selection. A week later, Celia May Baldwin resigned from the Board of Trustees, with a memo being released through the Gallaudet Office of Public relations which made the claim of threats being made toward her regarding the selection.[citation needed]

[edit] Fall Protest

On 20 September 2006, the Gallaudet Student Congress passed a resolution stating that they did not recognize Jane K. Fernandes as the 9th president of Gallaudet University.

Ryan Commerson, LaToya Plummer, Leah Katz-Hernandez, and Delia Lozano-Martinez were named as Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni (FSSA) spokespersons. Chris Corrigan was described as the "Mayor of Tent City" and largely responsible for rallies. Noah Beckman, in his role as Student Body Government president, and Tara Holcomb, as Student Body Government's Director of Ethics and Conduct, emerged as strong voices for the students the SBG represented. The participation of former SBG president/alumna Tawny Holmes and graduate student Erin Moran were also critical. They encouraged the students to speak out about Dr. Jane Fernandes as the 9th president. During October, Commerson essentially filled the role as the democratic leader of the protest, with Holmes and Moran acting as his main lieutenants. Alumnus Sean Moore was also involved. [1]

On October 1, 2006, Tent City was in the process of being revived by students when they ran into problems. Campus workers had put down a highly concentrated liquid fertilizer called Earth Juice. The administration claimed that the fertilizing was planned months in advance.[citation needed] The next day, the Tent City was revived to protest the 9th president selection. Eventually the students seized the Hall Memorial Building (HMB)[2], and locked it down in order to prevent any classes from resuming and force the university administration to the negotiation table.

On October 6, 2006, officers from the Department of Public Safety raided the Hall Memorial Building in an attempt to break up the lockdown. The students later alleged that the officers assaulted several students. I. King Jordan has ordered an independent investigation. [3]

On October 12, 2006, police were called in to arrest the students.[4]

[edit] October 13, 2006

Tim Rarus, one of the 1988 Deaf President Now leaders, was one of 133 people arrested at Gallaudet University on Black Friday (10/13/2006) as ordered by I. King Jordan. Just before he was arrested, he shouted "I helped put you in office, now you're arresting me!". [5]

[edit] Aftermath

On the next day, the number of protestors grew from 300 to nearly 1,000. Gallaudet alumni flew in to help the students. Tom Holcomb, a leader of alumni, had flown in earlier in the week in order to help out with the protest and organize a shift pattern.[citation needed]

National Association of the Deaf's president Bobbie Beth Scoggins of Kentucky cut her vacation short and flew in to declare NAD's support of the students' demands.[6]

On October 16, 2006, 168 of the 221 eligible voting faculty members at Gallaudet University attended a faculty meeting. This represents 76% of the eligible voting faculty and was the largest attendance ever.[citation needed]

On October 19, 2006, the Washington Post reported that "[o]f the 20 trustees, three of whom are members of Congress, perhaps as many as seven do not support Fernandes becoming president".[7]

On October 21, 2006, more than 4,000 people from around the nation attended a protest march to the Capitol, in Washington D.C.[8][9]

On October 29, 2006, the Board of Gallaudet withdrew its appointment of Fernandes, without naming an alternative.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ DEAF PRESIDENT NOW ANNIVERSARY. Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University (2003-03-13). Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
  2. ^ Ward, Derrick. "Protesting Gallaudet Students Offer Deal To Administration", MSNBC, MSNBC, 2006-10-10. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  3. ^ Coogan, Mercy (2006-10-13). Eric Holder to Lead Investigation into Alleged Use of Excessive Force by Gallaudet Officers. Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University. Retrieved on 2006-10-16.
  4. ^ "Student Standoff Continues At Gallaudet", MSNBC, MSNBC, 2006-10-13. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  5. ^ Kinzie, Susan; Otto,Mary. "Gallaudet Reopens With Protesters Still At Front Gates: Jordan Is Criticized For Approving Arrests", The Washington Post, The Washington Post, 2006-10-15, pp. A01. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  6. ^ de Vise, Daniel. "Deaf Advocate Blasts Arrests", The Washington Post, The Washington Post, 2006-10-16, pp. B01. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  7. ^ Kinzie, Susan. "Gallaudet Trustees Split on Fernandes", washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post, 2006-10-19, pp. A01. Retrieved on 2006-10-29. 
  8. ^ Johnson, Kristy. "Gallaudet stir spreads", washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times, 2006-10-22. Retrieved on 2006-10-29. 
  9. ^ Dvorak, Petula. "From Gallaudet to Capitol, a March in Step With History", washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post, 2006-10-22, pp. C01. Retrieved on 2006-10-29. 
  10. ^ Susan Kinzie; David A. Fahrenthold, Nelson Hernandez and Judy Sarasohn. "Gallaudet Board Rescinds Fernandes' Appointment", washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post, 2006-10-29. Retrieved on 2006-10-29. 

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