Hunger Strike Protesters’ Letter To BoT, Jordan, and Fernandes

Members of the Board of Trustees;

Dr. Irving K. Jordan

Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

October 20, 2006

            As the Gallaudet University campus crisis escalates due to disagreement and no confidence in the leadership of President-Designate Dr. Jane K. Fernandes, the situation is getting worse and growing with the number of protesters each day Dr. Fernandes remains stubborn to the idea of resignation. Takeovers of campus buildings and the entire 99 acres of the University by the students, the arrests of 133 protesters and worldwide outpouring of support seems to have unfazed Dr. Fernandes nor the Board of Trustees to see that the stakeholders of the University desire new leadership by way of the resignation of the President-select and re-opening the Presidential Search Process as well as no reprisals for those who choose to voice their disdain for the flawed process leading to the selection of a person the majority of us consider the inappropriate person to lead our University.

So, in an attempt to make you see that the crisis, is indeed very serious and escalating, the people of the Hunger Strike wish to convey the message that we have started starving ourselves, removing solid food from our daily diets and living on only fluids and will continue to do so until Dr. Fernandes resigns from her position as President-Designate. Let us assure you we are committed and dedicated to this cause, in which we forfeit our health and well-being for the sake of the University and the ongoing protests which have thus far not convinced the Board of Trustees to take action, namely, making decisions where it would appease the majority of stakeholders.

            On the evening of the arrests, October 13, 2006, we have since remained without food and by the Florida Avenue gate among hundreds of protesters and we are interviewed by media daily. We continue our resolve to get your attention with our sacrifice and we inform you that we will NOT stop the Hunger Strike until Dr. Fernandes resigns. This is a very serious matter, as the hunger strike group continues to become more weaker and weaker as days go by but strengthened by our resolve that:

           

We are starving for quality education, we are starving for linguistic equality, we are starving for social justice, we are starving for a true president, we are starving for true diversity and we are starving for the process to be reopened.

            Please demand the resignation for the President-Designate so the group that enforce the Hunger Strike can resume to be healthy and well, and keep in mind that we will not give up even if it might mean tragic consequences for those involved with the Hunger Strike.

We love Gallaudet so much, so much that we are willing to abandon our health and survival.

Regretfully yours,

David Simmons

Kenny Berrigan

Christine Roschaert

Alvaro Jimenez

Debbie Potts

Cheryl Small

Kat Roberts-Jarashow

John Lopez