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Gallaudet United Now Movement

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The Unity for Gallaudet Movement is a protest movement started by students, faculty, alumni and sympathizers who do not support the presidency of Dr. Jane Fernandes for Gallaudet University starting Janurary 2007. 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. It is alleged by the protestors that Fernandes unpopular,questionable election is a source of campus and community-wide contention and protest.^{[citation needed]}

Contents [hide] 1 Spring Protest 2 Fall Protest 3 October 13, 2006 4 Aftermath 5 External links 6 References

[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, an uproar erupted from the audience protesting the selection. A few weeks later, Celia May Baldwin resigned from the Board of Trustees citing threats towards her regarding the unpopular selection.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Fall Protest

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

Ryan Commerson, Tara Holcomb, LaToya Plummer and Chris Corrigan emerged as student leaders and encouraged the students to speak out about the Dr. Jane Fernandes as the 9th president. Delia Lozano-Martinez and Leah Katz-Hernandez were also FSSA spokespersons. ^{[citation needed]}

On October 1, 2006, Tent City was in the process of being revived by students when they ran into problems. The 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, October 2nd, 2006, the Tent City was revived to protest the 9th president selection. Eventually the students siezed 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 hopes of dispelling the lockdown. Later on, the students have alleged that the officers assaulted several students. ^{[citation needed]} I. King Jordan has ordered an independent investigation. ^[3]

On Thursday, October 12, 2006 ^[4], tensions escalated between the Gallaudet University administration and students to the point where police was called in to arrest the students.

[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

Next day, the group swelled from 300 to nearly 1,000. Gallaudet alumni flew in to help the students. Tom Holcomb, a leader of alumni, flew in earlier the week to help out with the protest and organized shifts in order to give the students some rest.^{[citation needed]}

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

On October 16, 2006, There was a faculty meeting and there are 221 eligible voting faculty members at Gallaudet University; 168 are present at this meeting, representing 76% of eligible voting faculty, which was the largest attendance ever.^{[citation needed]}

On October 19, 2006, 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 the march to the capitol. [1][2]

 [edit] External links

• Gallaudet University’s Faculty Staff Students Alumni Coalition
• Sign Cast
• Photos from ‘Black Friday’
• Kenneth G. Samson protest pictures
• Deafweekly
• Tent Cities across the World
• Michelle McAuliffe’s Gallery of May protest
• Unity for Gallaudet Photos – Jeff Fredrickson
• T and J Ferguson Photos

[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. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101802035.html