“DEAF PRESIDENT NOW”

Search for a New President  Jerry Lee was President of the University in 1983, then resigned in 1987, that was the cause of the search for the new President.  Reason for resigning: Take up Vice President for Bassett Furniture

The Week Before:  March 1, 1988 was a crucial date in the history of DPN. It was the day of the first fully organized rally, the event that inspired many students to join the movement. For some, it was the first time they had even learned what the protest was all about and what it would mean for them to have a deaf president.  The deaf students passed out flyers. The flyers were organized drew parallels between the Deaf community and other minority groups!  It's time! In 1842, a Roman Catholic became president of the University of Notre Dame. In 1875, a woman became president of Wellesley College. In 1875, a Jew became president of Yeshiva University. In 1926, a Black person became president of Howard University. AND in 1988, the Gallaudet University presidency belongs to a DEAF person. To show OUR solidarity behind OUR mandate for a deaf president of OUR university, you are invited to participate in a historical RALLY!  -Text from a flyer distributed around campus in late February 1988

Three Finalists for Presidency  Dr. Harvey Corson- a deaf man serving as the superintendent of the Louisiana School for the Deaf.  Dr. I King Jordan- a deaf man who was currently the dean of the University's College of Arts and Sciences  Dr. Elizabeth Zinser- a hearing woman and assistant chancellor of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Day 1:Sunday,March 6 th 1988  The Board of Trustees had the University's Public Relations Office hastily hand out press releases at 6:30 p.m., an hour and a half before many had been expecting it. The press release announced that instead of picking one of the deaf candidates, the Board had selected Elisabeth Zinser, the sole hearing candidate.  REACTIONS: The reaction on campus ranged from disbelief to anger— at both the decision and the way it was announced. Several hundred spilled out onto Florida Avenue in front of the campus and blocked traffic. Gary Olsen, president of National Association of the Deaf (NAD), got the crowd's attention and suggested that everyone march down to the Mayflower Hotel—where the Board had been meeting— and demand an explanation. Which is what they did. Since the Board hadn't come to campus to make themselves available for questions, the campus decided to go to them.

Day 1: Cont.  Students march to the Mayflower Hotel where the Board of Trustees were meeting to demand answers.  Jane Spilman, was the Board chair of the Board of Trustees, and she met with Tim Rarus, a student and other Board members to explain the reason Zinser was chosen. It was in this meeting that Spilman said, “Deaf people are not able to function in a hearing world.”  The Deaf were enraged at this comment, and her perceived attitude of not caring that they were so upset, that fueled them even more to protest even harder for what they believed in.

Day 2: Monday,March 7 th 1988  Monday at dawn, the students drove several cars and parked them at each of the University’s entrances and deflated the tires, blocking the way onto and as well as off the campus.  Protest Leaders were meeting to formalize their demands. When Spilman and other Board members arrived for their meeting at noon, they were presented with the following: Spilman must resign from the Board. Zinser must resign and a deaf president selected. 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.

Day 2 cont.  Spilman and the Board of Trustees met about the demands and Spilman told the group that the Board rejected the four demands and that the selection of Zinser stood!  Spilman went to the University's auditorium to announce her decision, when HARVEY GOODSTEIN, a deaf faculty member, walked out in front of Spilman and signed to the students that the demands had not been met and to get up and walk out!  Students gathered to the U.S. Capitol

Day 3: Tuesday, March 8 th 1988  The gates were re-opened to the University and students boycotted classes and attended speeches and rallies instead.  The uproar was making not only local news, but national news as well, calling attention to the Deaf community and the discrimination they faced.

4 Student Leaders of the Protests  Bridgetta Bourne  Jerry Covell  Greg Hlibok  Tim Rarus

Day 4: Wednesday, March 9 th 1988  Zinser felt that her presence in Washington would calm down the protests. WRONG!  She met with the four leaders of the protest who urged her to resign, and she refused to do so.

Day 5: Thursday, March 10 th 1988  Greg Hlibok one of the student leaders, appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America.  Students learned that Zinser and Spilman were going to try to force their way on campus, so students drove buses to the front of the entrances and deflated the tires.  I. King Jordan retracted his support for the Board's decision to appoint Zinser. After giving the matter much thought, he told the onlookers that he now fully supported the four demands set forth by the students, and felt the protest was completely justified.  That night, Zinser announced her resignation!

Day 6: Friday, March 11 th 1988  As the news spread about Zinser’s resignation, the campus was elated but not totally satisfied.  Students began to wear buttons that read 3½, that signified that they only received 3 ½ of their requests, and they wanted all 4!  At noon, there was a march to the Capitol Building, a scheduled march that was supported by Congressman Steve Gunderson.

Day 7: Saturday, March 12 th 1988  Day of REST  Students attended an ART FESTIVAL and RELAXED!

Day 8: Sunday, March 13 th 1988  In the evening, Phil Bravin, and Jane Spilman hosted their last press conference to announce that: 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 No reprisals... and Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth president —and first deaf president— of Gallaudet University. Spilman Resigned

Victory for Gallaudet University