A Pro Fernandes Asks WHY????
“Dr. Jane Norman and JK are close friends. Jane Norman uses ASL and JK does not look down at her.
I understand that JK repeatly said she is NOT AGAINST ASL.
The media and I still have not gotten one GOOD reason why JK was terminated. PLEASE GIVE US ONE GOOD REASON!
She does not smile enough?
She is not a good leader? Do you mean that she has to be popular and dance around with her hands flying in ASL?
Do u mean that she should isolate Deaf people from hearing people?
Do you mean that she is not supposed to speak English and ASL at the same time?
WHAAT???
We are still waiting for the reason! Boy!” By a pro-Fernandes commenter.
Elizabeth: Anyone who understands linguistics knows it is an impossibility to combine ASL and English. What you are thinking is signed English which is not ASL at all. It is signed supported English, not a bona fide language, but a sign mode.
I have heard that she is a good friend of Jane Norman and I’m glad that they are friends. However many culturally deaf people told me that they experienced audism from her. You will need to ask these deaf people why they felt that way.. Since I know them, I believe them.
I don’t know where you get the idea that Deaf people are isolated from hearing people. Many have hearing families, hearing co workers, and hearing friends.
About Fernandes not being a good leader, unfortunately she is not a good administrator. Here is the link explaining the reasons why she shouldn’t become a president, but remember you asked for it, not me.
Protest Issues: Myth vs. Fact
From The Gallaudet Protest: Quick References
Inspired by Mishka Zena’s Factual Sheet at http://mishkazena.wordpress.com/2006/11/03/fight-against-not-deaf-enough/
- MYTH: Fernandes was “not deaf enough” and was simply caught in the middle of a “deaf culture/identity” battle being waged by those who wish to exclude certain groups of deaf people.
- FACT: Gallaudet has always had students from diverse communication backgrounds. Many oral students enroll and are accepted as a part of the Gallaudet community. In fact, quite a few protesters wear hearing aids or cochlear implants, some are hard of hearing, and many are from mainstreaming programs. As an example, this protester with an oral background posted about her experience at Gallaudet, prompting a long list of comments from fellow protesters with similar backgrounds.[1]
- MYTH: This was a student protest.
- FACT: Faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and many organizations were also involved. 82% of faculty members passed a resolution calling for the resignation or removal of Dr. Fernandes. 168 out of 221 eligible voting faculty members were present at this meeting. Clerc Center staff members were involved, with 83% calling for Fernandes’ resignation or removal.[2] The Gallaudet Alumni Association, National Association of the Deaf, and parents and relatives of the students called for the resignation of Dr. Fernandes. View a more complete list of supporters [3]
- MYTH: The protesters and other deaf people are resisting change caused by technology.
- FACT: The protesters made heavy use of new technology such as email pagers, video relay services, blogs and vlogs, online video sharing services, and so forth. In addition, many protesters have cochlear implants. The deaf community has already embraced many new technologies and trends, often well ahead of the general population.
- MYTH: Fernandes is a tough and qualified leader.
- FACT: When President Jordan appointed Dr. Fernandes to lead the division of Academic Affairs as Provost of Gallaudet University, the Faculty Senate objected and reprimanded Dr. Jordan for violating the principle of shared governance in making that appointment.[4]
- FACT: Dr. Jordan admits violating procedures in appointing Dr. Fernandes as provost.[5]
- FACT: After Dr. Fernandes’s selection, the faculty issued four votes of no confidence, one of which detailed specific leadership failures. [6]
- FACT: Last year, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget gave Gallaudet an “ineffective” rating, with many of the criticisms targeting programs under Fernandes’ purview.[7]
- FACT: Tenure was granted to Fernandes despite a lack of published scholarly research.[8]
- MYTH: Fernandes was the only one qualified to lead the university.
- FACT: Several candidates who applied, most notably Dr. Glenn Anderson, had more qualifications than the other two candidates who made it into the final round with Fernandes. This fact has prompted concerns about the process being rigged to favor Fernandes.
- MYTH: The protestors were an unruly mob who prevented MSSD and Kendall students from attending classes.
- FACT: Protesters were prepared to allow MSSD and Kendall staff on-campus so that education for pre-collegiate students could continue uninterrupted, but university officials made the decision to close the schools October 11 and 12.[9]
[edit]
Sources
- ↑ Letter from a Protester With an Oral Background
- ↑ Clerc Center Poll
- ↑ http://about.gufssa.com/faq.php#7
- ↑ http://news.gufssa.com/2006/10/16/letter-from-dr-carol-erting/
- ↑ http://deafnation.com/t/dntv.asp?articleid=421&zoneid=12
- ↑ FAQ #5 on http://about.gufssa.com/faq.php
- ↑ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary.10003306.2005.html
- ↑ The New York Times: Protests Shut University for Deaf a 2nd Day
- ↑ http://clerccenterprotest.blogspot.com/2006/10/our-letter.html
5 Comments »
Leave a comment
-
Archives
- November 2006 (99)
- October 2006 (506)
-
Categories
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
Regardless of who is right or wrong, my question is, where was the Board or rather what was the Board doing in the meantime? Ultimately, the Board has the final say so. Really, the members of the Board should accept responsibility for allowing this to happen.
Originally I supported the Board’s decision in nominating Jane Fernandes. Later I recanted or changed my mind about her and felt perhaps she should not have been selected in the first place. As more and more information was released to the public, it has become more obvious to me that maybe it is the Board that needed to be shook up or individuals on the Board be replaced.
It is plain as day that there were many issues in need to be addressed. The selection process of Jane Fernandes for University President is questionable. Her being selected was probably the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Where are the checks and balances to make sure the Board is doing their job correctly.
So what happens now? Jane Fernandes is out. Selection process of a new(er) University President should have already started. How soon will the Board will the Board do it? How soon will the Board address other issues?
Well, members of the Board of Trustees, did you listen closely to the students, staff and faculty had to say? I hope you did.
That was part of the problem, Rollando. The BoT really needs to understand that they were “boxed” into selection JKF in the first place-and then completely ignore the wishes of the World Wide Deaf community in selecting JKF.
When they announced the selection of JKF, they then went “home”-leaving the King Jordan Adm. to cancel HC, (out of spite, I know this because someone in the President office confirm this to me), arresting people, etc.etc. They also sat by while the Gallaudet Press office spreaded lies and false reports, thus damaging Gallaudet.
I think, as part of this process, that when all of this is over, that Congress should really look into the make-up of the BoT and make changes there(by Federal Law)-just like they did At American University. I know that people will argue against this- because Gallaudet is a private university, but clearly something went wrong at the BoT level during the entire period of the protest. And I really,really,really(honestly)don’t want to go thru this type of experience again.
Raphael J. St. Johns
PS-Please read Dr. Bob Johnson’s paper at the GUFSSA web site. It’s a long paper- but it will also give you a little insight into the BoT mind.
Yes, Dr. Bob Johnson’s paper – and especially in ASL – really hit the head on the nail!
People who were following the protest based on the media were swayed 180 degree when they saw/read the paper.
I really ought to copy and paste the facts vs. myths to hard disk, so I can show it to those who still thinks it’s about JK’s “not deaf enough” argument. AHH!!!! AHHH!!!!
It’s one of those movements where people frown on but years later, people look back and say, “that made sense with all the facts there!”. Look at women’s movement – imagine all the harsh words they got at the time! Or the civil rights movement?
This is one of them…but hopefully it won’t take as long to get the facts across to the majority.
MZ, you are like an energized bunny with batteries that just WONT die!! My kids would have loved you as their mother!
No way could I keep up like that…
Keep up with the drumming and making waves…
BoT is clueless due to the policy it cannot receive correspondence outside of the President Office and that they must follow established agendas.
IamMine, I definitely don’t have the energy of Energizer lol, though I do pursue this until the second demand, no reprisal, is met. But it seems the longer I cover this protest, the more mess I find. Donalda Ammons wasn’t kidding when she said Gallaudet is a big mess
But thanks for the compliments
Well, MZ, even when this is resolved (as far as 2nd demand is meet and the presidential selection goes smoothly as according to the guidelines, policies, etc), I hope you still stick around posting.
You’re doing really an important job and have reached out to many people, esp during the protest.
That is something to be proud of, MZ – but I know you don’t think of it that way, you were deeply concerned for the Deaf Community and wanted to do something.
And you did indeed do something – passing knowledge, facts, and news to the community!
Ok, I don’t really feel comfortable kissing asses – unless it was *cough*Eddie Vedder*cough*
Even he hates ass kissers and that would be awfully hard for me not to say something so dorky to him if I ever met him.
