Gallaudet Protest 2006

Timeline Dr. I King Jordan plans to retire Dec.31 8 th President of Gallaudet 1 st Deaf president 21 candidates apply to BOT

1988- DPN I King Jordan starts tenure at Gallaudet after a week-long protest shuts down the school

May 1 st, 2006 Dr. Jane K. Fernandes- Provost at Gallaudet since announced as 9 th President As she walks to podium to accept---students begin walking out

Outside about 200 students gather and the Protest begins….. “ JKF NOT ACCEPTABLE” “ NO FERNIE”

May 8, 2006 Students react to “No- confidence vote” by faculty Faculty vote is important- as Provost, JKF supervised teachers 2 demands- JKF resign and new search begins No reprisals

May 9, 2006 This quote will come back to haunt Dr. Fernandes- didn’t learn signs ‘til age 23 Hearing people think it’s “Deaf Drama”- not much media coverage

Summer 2006 Most students leave for summer Dr. Fernandes stays Over ????? FSSA created- Faculty Staff Student Alumni group- want a unified approach to selecting a President

Fall 2006 Tent City (with video webs and IM) re-emerges not only at Gallaudet- but around the country—the protesters are re-energized

Oct Much more tension ….. “Hundreds of protesters took over the main classroom building at Gallaudet University on Thursday night (Oct. 5 th ) and refused to leave yesterday, demanding that the board of trustees reopen the search for a president.”

Oct. 13, 2006 Black Friday 133 students are arrested for blocking gates NAD calls for BOT action

Oct 17 Faculty Vote 138 to 24. Six abstained. The Gallaudet University faculty marches in a candlelit vigil to Dr. Jordan’s home on campus – October 18, They protest Dr. I. King Jordan's refusal to heed a faculty vote of 82% against the incoming president Jane Fernandes

OCT. 18, I King Jordan enrages Alumni by canceling Homecoming

“ We regret that due to the fact that Gallaudet University is not operating under normal circumstances, and the protesters continue to refuse to open all of the gates, we must postpone homecoming and all related activities.” Gallaudet Alumni Association President, Andrew Lange counters… “I. King Jordan announced…..that his homecoming has been cancelled. Excuse me, OUR homecoming continues.”

Even 70 year olds participate in the “Alternative “ Homecoming Events Oct. 21, 2006 Hello, Here is the picture of One of many Gallaudet Marchers from Gallaudet Univ. to the Capitol this morning on a beautiful, cool day. We are proud Gallaudet Alumnus to take a part in the March today. It was an enjoyable time and fun for us to take a long walk with many people to the Capitol. Sorry, Larry Obray was not included as he was busy to take some pictures nearby somewhere else. Also I am not in the picture as I took it with my SK pager camera. I was told over 4,000 marchers today. Hugs, Kay Francis

Pressure builds with 84 tent cities around the world Classes are not going on The BOT must act---so they meet on Oct 29

Sunday, October 29, 2006, 5:34 p.m. TO: Campus Community FROM: Board of Trustees RE: Board of Trustees Meeting Today, we announce with much regret and pain that after serious deliberation in a special, all-day Executive Session of the Board of Trustees, we have voted to terminate Dr. Fernandes' appointment as President- Designate (currently effective) and President (effective beginning January 1, 2007) at Gallaudet University. We understand the impact of this decision and the important issues that inherently arise when a Board re-examines decisions in the face of an on- going protest. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the University to terminate Dr. Fernandes from the incoming President's position. Although undoubtedly there will be some members of the community who have differing views on the meaning of this decision, we believe that it is a necessity at this point. The Board is continuing to meet to discuss transitional issues. It has certainly been a difficult and trying time for our Gallaudet community. Now is the time for healing. The hope of the Board of Trustees is for our beloved community to come together to work for a stronger and better Gallaudet.

Oct. 29, 2006 Unity for Gallaudet CELEBRATION TIME!!!!!!!!!!

Interim President Chosen Dr. Robert Davila Well respected in the Deaf Community Born in Southern California to poor Mexican parents Deaf at age 8 from spinal meningitis Grad of Gallaudet 1953

May 9, 2007 Robert Davila becomes Gallaudet’s 9 th President