Deaf President Now! James Anderson Ann Whitney Travis Daley

“Prejudice is believing that deaf people have to be taken care of.”

Day 1 Sunday March 6, 1988 The Board of Trustees met to select the 7th president of Gallaudet University. The board considered three candidates. Two of the candidates were deaf and one was hearing. The Board of Trustees met to select the 7th president of Gallaudet University. The board considered three candidates. Two of the candidates were deaf and one was hearing. The only hearing candidate Elisabeth Zinser was chosen to be the next President of Gaulladet. The only hearing candidate Elisabeth Zinser was chosen to be the next President of Gaulladet. Students and many deaf individuals felt that the next president of Gallaudet University should be deaf. They came to Gallaudet University to show how they felt. They held a big rally and said, “We want a deaf president now!” Students and many deaf individuals felt that the next president of Gallaudet University should be deaf. They came to Gallaudet University to show how they felt. They held a big rally and said, “We want a deaf president now!”

Day 2 Monday March 7, 1988  At dawn on Monday, they drove several cars to each of the University's entrances and deflated their tires, blocking the way onto as well as off the campus.  Protest leaders met to formalize their demands Zinser must resign and a deaf president selected. Zinser must resign and a deaf president selected. Spilman must resign from the Board. Spilman must resign from the Board. The percentage of deaf members on the Board of Trustees must be increased to at least 51%. The percentage of deaf members on the Board of Trustees must be increased to at least 51%. There must be no reprisals against any of the protesters. There must be no reprisals against any of the protesters.

Day 3 Tuesday March 8, 1988 The gates were re-opened and people were allowed to come and go. The gates were re-opened and people were allowed to come and go. Students boycotted classes and attended rallies and speeches instead. Students boycotted classes and attended rallies and speeches instead. The faculty held a meeting to discuss among themselves what to do. The faculty held a meeting to discuss among themselves what to do.

Day 4 Wednesday March 9, 1988 More meetings were held to try and come up with a resolution. More meetings were held to try and come up with a resolution. Zinser was urged to step down, but she refused. Zinser was urged to step down, but she refused.

Day 5 Thursday March 10, 1988 Amid speculation that Zinser and Spilman were going to force their way onto campus, the students drove Gallaudet school buses to the gates of the campus and deflated the tires. Amid speculation that Zinser and Spilman were going to force their way onto campus, the students drove Gallaudet school buses to the gates of the campus and deflated the tires. I. King Jordan retracted his support for the Board's decision to appoint Zinser. I. King Jordan retracted his support for the Board's decision to appoint Zinser.

Day 6 Friday March 11, 1988 Zinser resigns Zinser resigns The first demand was met The first demand was met Three more to go Three more to go

Day 8 Sunday March 13, 1988 Board of Trustees met all the demands of the students. Board of Trustees met all the demands of the students. Zinser and Spilman had resigned Zinser and Spilman had resigned Bravin was named the next chair of the Board of Trustees Bravin was named the next chair of the Board of Trustees A taskforce would be set up to determine the best way to achieve a 51% deaf majority on the Board A taskforce would be set up to determine the best way to achieve a 51% deaf majority on the Board No reprisals against students involved in protests No reprisals against students involved in protests Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth, and first ever deaf president of Gallaudet University. Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth, and first ever deaf president of Gallaudet University.