Elisa Writes

An Attempt to Define Myself
Elisa Abenchuchan It seems that so many people have misunderstood my intentions for my blog on CI, however, some of you get it (whew). It was meant to be informative, not negative propanganda. After talking with another audiologist, I went back to the CI article and edited it some. I still am trying to get in touch [...]
Wed, Feb 14 2007

Healthy Discussions and Learning Leads to Less Ignorance
Elisa Abenchuchan Well, good news and bad news, my dell's hard drive is okay, but it needs a XP CD to fix something that's gone amok in the system, and my cd driver is shot. But DELL has champ customer service and I should be getting the new cd drive and the CD after the weekend. So, [...]
Thu, Feb 08 2007

Following Up on Cochlear Implant Info?
Elisa Abenchuchan I emailed the audiologist who presented to my class last monday the following: Hi, (name removed) I'm a student at McDaniel College and I enjoyed your presentation last wednesday. I only wish it lasted a bit more so I could ask more questions I learned so much abt CIs that I just had to blog about [...]
Tue, Feb 06 2007

The Truth about Cochlear Implants
Elisa Abenchuchan I'm a graduate student at McDaniel College in the Deaf Education program. Today an audiologist came to our class and gave a presentation on cochlear implants and how CIs should have a place in Deaf Education. It was indeed a great presentation and I learned so much about CIs. I don't know if I can [...]
Tue, Feb 06 2007

Vlog/Blog Conference, Best Essayist, and Painful Feet
Elisa Abenchuchan My feet hurt really bad because I stupidly (and womanly, some would say) chose to wear high heels all day. I wanted to look nice for the vlogging/blogging conference today. But I'm still smiling, because it was one of the best days of my young life. It was just really awesome to see so many [...]
Sun, Feb 04 2007

Dr. Davila: 9th President of Gallaudet
Elisa Abenchuchan I know this is old news already, but I am just thrilled that Dr. Davila got the post. He should have been president 19 years ago, but like they say, it's never too late. Watch the announcement in video here [link] It's really inspiring to watch him talk about what he wants to do [...]
Tue, Dec 12 2006

Open Forum Tonight
Elisa Abenchuchan What: An Open Forum The first open forum was a success, with great suggestions for making it even more so next time. This open forum will group people into three rooms (a mix of faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and community members in each group). Each group will have one moderator. This open forum is intended to allow [...]
Mon, Nov 20 2006

Comment Away!
Elisa Abenchuchan I always loved getting comments on my blog, because a blog is at its best when it becomes a conversation rather than just a person talking. But during the protests, I felt that I had to close it because I did not have time to go through comments and make deletions – some comments were totally [...]
Sun, Nov 19 2006

What Rejection Does to the Deaf Community
Elisa Abenchuchan I was wandering in the halls of books at the Gallaudet library, looking for books related to deaf education for one of my classes. I was taking my sweet time, as I always do in libraries - there’s just too many books to look at. I came to two books about Miss America Heather Whitestone, [...]
Thu, Nov 16 2006

Mosdeux Does It Again with ?Resonare?
Elisa Abenchuchan The guys at Mosdeux have produced another stellar film. Whoever says that film is not art should watch this movie. Only 12 minutes long, it will have you thinking for more than 12 minutes after the end credits roll. I think that this clip belongs to an art gallery — art is open to interpretations, and [...]
Tue, Nov 14 2006

Did You Film the Protest?
Elisa Abenchuchan The Second Deaf Rochester Film Festival Seeks Films of the Gallaudet Protest Experience The Deaf Rochester Film Festival (DRFF) is committed to promoting films by Deaf filmmakers who use film to communicate the Deaf experience and/or visual aesthetics. Because of the value of film as a medium of historical preservation, we would like to encourage both [...]
Sun, Nov 12 2006

Letter from the New BOT Chair
Elisa Abenchuchan TO: Campus Community FROM: Pamela Holmes, ?74, Chair DATE: November 11, 2006 RE: Board Update Regarding Interim President Selection On Saturday, November 11, the Board met to discuss next steps in this important transitional time at Gallaudet. I am sending you this letter as the newly appointed chair of the Board. I hope you will join me in welcoming [...]
Sun, Nov 12 2006

It?s November Already?
Elisa Abenchuchan I know, I’ve been missing for a while now. I had to attend to other things in my life that I had neglected for so long... I’m still catching up with school and work, but I’ll be fine. December will be sweet when it finally comes. I’ll be here, updating here and there. It’s really nice [...]
Sun, Nov 12 2006

What?s Next?
Elisa Abenchuchan Be sure to check out www.deafread.com for many discussions about what should happen now. This link sandman makes for good reading. Today the protestors cleaned up the campus and their deadline was 5 PM. I’m at McDaniel College, so I don’t know if the campus is all clean now.
Mon, Oct 30 2006

Video Clips of Tonight
Elisa Abenchuchan I knew I couldn’t express what happened (and is happening) tonight in English - it is impossible - so I was thrilled to see Tayler Mayer and company filming everything - and the video clips are already up on the Net! Check them out @ [link] [link]
Mon, Oct 30 2006

Right Now, Some BOT Members are @ Fowler Hall
Elisa Abenchuchan Six BOT members are in Fowler Hall right now (8:20 PM), in a meeting with Carl Pramuk and student leaders. Three of them have been identified: Pamela Holmes, Ben Soukup, and Harvey Goodstein. The BOT has just announced that students won’t get PNG but they will do community service. However, nothing has been said about any [...]
Mon, Oct 30 2006

News Articles about Jane?s Termination
Elisa Abenchuchan CNN Washington_Post USA_Today
Mon, Oct 30 2006

ASL translation of Robert Johnson?s letter on Gallaudet...
Elisa Abenchuchan Watch it @ [link] If you haven’t read it yet, read it @ gufssa [...]
Sun, Oct 29 2006

Detailed Information about the BOT Meeting Today @ Dulles
Elisa Abenchuchan For Immediate Release At the present time, the Gallaudet protest leadership has not announced any plans to go to the Dulles Hyatt today. The media will want to go to Gallaudet to interview protesters. The Dulles Hyatt is not allowing media into the hotel, though media personnel would probably be able to go in cognito, especially if [...]
Sun, Oct 29 2006

Open Letters from Academic Departments @ Gallaudet that...
Elisa Abenchuchan The protest is gathering more and more support, especially from academic departments of Gallaudet University. The departments that have submitted open letters showing support of the protest and asking for Jane Fernandes’s resignation are: Department of Linguistics Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Department of Interpretation Department of [...]
Sun, Oct 29 2006

The Plan for Sunday and Brief Summary of Today
Elisa Abenchuchan Meet 4 PM at Field House for a rally. ———————————————————- (I missed this today because I had a class all day - I got this information from a protestor) Today, around 200 to 300 people showed up at the front gate. Two buses came around and picked up around [...]
Sun, Oct 29 2006

Academic Departments @ Gallaudet that Support the Protest?s...
Elisa Abenchuchan The protest is gathering more and more support, especially from academic departments of Gallaudet University. The departments that have submitted open letters showing support of the protest and asking for Jane Fernandes’s resignation are: Department of Linguistics Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Department of Interpretation Department of [...]
Sat, Oct 28 2006

Meet at the Front Gate, Saturday @ 3 PM
Elisa Abenchuchan Everyone, meet at the front gate tomorrow (saturday) at 3 PM. Dress nicely! Expect to give around two to three hours of your time. -protestors
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Today?s Black March
Elisa Abenchuchan The protestors first gathered around the front gate to watch several people make speeches. When I arrived, the President of NAD, Bobbie Beth Scoggins, was talking to the crowd. She said that she has been here and away at times but she’s got everything worked out at home and she and the NAD will stay [...]
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Tonight - Field House and CBS News
Elisa Abenchuchan 5 PM - meet at Field House instead of the front gate. It should be a big event. 6:30 PM - Latoya Plummer, one of the leaders of the protest, will be on CBS News with Katie Couric. You can also view the program online at www.cbsnews.com.
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Email Tom Humphries
Elisa Abenchuchan Read THIS for a short interview with Tom Humphries. He was quoted as saying this: “Just today - just today I got 50, (remphasizing) 50 emails who support JK!” His work email address is thumphries@ucsd.edu.
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Clerc Center?s Latest Poll
Elisa Abenchuchan Read all about it HERE.
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Wear Black Tomorrow (Friday)
Elisa Abenchuchan Plans for Friday, October 26: Dress all in black. 7 AM: Be at the 6th street gate to do a human tunnel and greet people 8 AM: Hunger strikers will do a sit-down at the President’s Office 9:59 AM: Drop what you’re doing wherever you are and drop on the floor for 10 minutes. Sit. Noon: Meet at the front [...]
Fri, Oct 27 2006

A Friday Sit-Down
Elisa Abenchuchan Gallaudetians, For the past three weeks, Gallaudet and its community has been thrown in disarray. Often, it feels like people on all sides have been subjected to frustrations similar to the Chinese water torture method. But, here?s something we can all do to address this. If you are for a better, healthy, united Gallaudet, do this. At [...]
Fri, Oct 27 2006

The internet is great - LINKS
Elisa Abenchuchan A MUST READ - Robert E. Johnson’s letter. It made me angry and sad for the past and determined for change in the future. It’s long, but well worth it. Read it. [link] pictures - in a scrapbook. Unique - and you can buy them, 50% go to FSSA. Buy sweatshirts before they run out! [...]
Fri, Oct 27 2006

Can Gallaudet Afford Having a Problem Administrator To...
Elisa Abenchuchan To whom it may concern: When one looks at the decision of a board of trustees to appoint as a president of its university a provost who had received votes of no confidence by faculty at the same university, and after her six years as a provost, received overwhelming faculty opposition during the selection process, as [...]
Thu, Oct 26 2006

Sit-in at President?s Office
Elisa Abenchuchan Protestors are having a sit-in at College Hall, on the second floor - where the President’s office is. The volleyball girls are already there. They will stay there from 1 PM to 4 PM. Go and join them! How did I know about this? Through a google group email system. All you need to join this sytem [...]
Thu, Oct 26 2006

Day 14 of the Hunger Strike
Elisa Abenchuchan 26 October 2006 Day 14 of the Hunger Strike Seven people continue the hunger strike at Gallaudet University. One person has stepped out due to deteriorating vision (she has ushers syndrome). The others have stopped drinking nutritional supplements, such as V8 juice in a statement that they are increasingly distressed by the lack of responsiveness by the University [...]
Thu, Oct 26 2006

Threats of Arrests at MSSD Gate?
Elisa Abenchuchan It has already been agreed by both MPD and the protestors that only one gate needs to be open, and the agreed-upon gate was the 6th street gate. Protestors have not tried to reblock the gate ever since the arrests, but have continued to block the other gates. After this morning’s incident, there are currently MPD [...]
Wed, Oct 25 2006

Very Important Meeting Tonight @ 8 PM
Elisa Abenchuchan It will take place at the marketplace in SAC. To read what the protest leaders said today at the noon meeting about what happened this morning and what will happen next, read THIS.
Wed, Oct 25 2006

Live Blogging from Kendall Green
Elisa Abenchuchan Check out [link] and reload every few minutes!
Wed, Oct 25 2006

Confusion and Blood at the MSSD Gate
Elisa Abenchuchan I missed everything but this is what other protestors have told me - Protestors took over College Hall last night and it was successful. The DPS sent out this email at 6 AM: “Campus community, College Hall has been taken over by the protestors. Employees who work in College Hall are encouraged to contact your Supervisor to [...]
Wed, Oct 25 2006

Things You Must Read
Elisa Abenchuchan Susan Kinzie of the Washington Post’s latest article finally goes in depth on what the protestors are protesting about. READ. ———————————————————————————- Another article by Kinzie - about the [...]
Mon, Oct 23 2006

Tonight?s Plans
Elisa Abenchuchan Meet @ 6:30 at the front gate. A lot of events will happen - the faculty march, a rally, AND a press conference. A student leader told me that it’s very important for you all to be there! Unfortunately, I won’t be back to DC until 10:00ish PM. [...]
Mon, Oct 23 2006

Rally
Elisa Abenchuchan Today! 8 pm.  Front Gate!  Be there! 
Sun, Oct 22 2006

Meeting for people who were arrested
Elisa Abenchuchan There will be a meeting for people who were arrested on Black Friday today at 4 PM.  It is very IMPORTANT for you to be there!  4 PM.  Fowler Hall.  101 A. 
Sun, Oct 22 2006

Over 4,000 People Marched to the Capitol Today
Elisa Abenchuchan Yes, over 4,000 people. A policeman did a count with a counter thing (don’t know what it’s called) and it tallied over 4,000 people. 4,000 people walked from Gallaudet University to the Capitol. 4,000 people marched wearing Unity for Gallaudet t-shirts, Roy Ricci’s Jane t-shirt, holding signs, banners, etc. You can see many pictures HERE (you can [...]
Sat, Oct 21 2006

Summary of Today?s Inspiring 8 PM Rally (part 1)
Elisa Abenchuchan It was pretty windy tonight, but that didn’t deter the large number of people who showed up for the 8 PM rally today. Adam Jarashow: The protest’s a long protest, you’re tired, I’m tired, but are we giving up? (The crowd said, NO!) Leala Holcomb: [The march to the capitol tomorrow] is important, it will be [...]
Sat, Oct 21 2006

Faculty Marches, Wearing Regalia
Elisa Abenchuchan Today the faculty marched again, but this time they marched in their regalia - the gowns that professors usually wear on Graduation Day, with the colors of the university they got their Ph.D.s from. They marched, holding candles and the same two banners: “82%” and “Faculty Demand Fernandes Resign”. They stopped at the front of the [...]
Sat, Oct 21 2006

Online Discussion @ Washington Post: Fernandes Discusses...
Elisa Abenchuchan Washington Post will have an online discussion with Fernandes Monday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. ET. Fernandes will discuss the reasons why she is not withdrawing her name even though opposition to her is increasing. Read more about the online discussion HERE. You can submit questions now - I’ve already submitted two questions and will [...]
Sat, Oct 21 2006

Press Release #1 - Brueggemann, Let the Board Meet!
Elisa Abenchuchan Gallaudet University October 20. 2006 2:00 PM It has been ten days since the Gallaudet University campus was locked down by students frustrated with your negligence. It has been seven days since 133 Gallaudet students were arrested in hopes of getting your attention. In all these days and nights, you and the members of the Board of Trustees [...]
Fri, Oct 20 2006

Press Release #2 - A Board Member Says that Signing Deaf...
Elisa Abenchuchan Friday, October 20, 2006 On Tuesday October 17, Gallaudet alumni Butch Zein, Robin Horwitz, James Brune, and Bridgetta Bourne-Firl met with Ken Levinson, a Trustee of the Board of Gallaudet University, at his office in San Francisco. They discussed their concerns at the meeting, and at the end of the conversation Mr. Levinson said, “I always [...]
Fri, Oct 20 2006

March to the Capitol
Elisa Abenchuchan Saturday, October 21, 2006 Meet at FRONT GATE - 8 AM, with banners and signs READY! Bring your Gally Spirit! Wear your “UNITY FOR GALLAUDET” T-shirt! If you don’t have one, at least wear buff and blue colors and/or face paint. Bring your families, friends, neighbors, even strangers!! -FSSA
Fri, Oct 20 2006

Agenda for Today and Tomorrow @ Gallaudet
Elisa Abenchuchan Friday, October 20, 2006 7 PM @ Kendall Mall; Faculty’s candlelight march (there will be a surprise)  8 PM @ Tent City; Rally   Saturday, October 21, 2006 Unity for Gallaudet March to Capitol Meet tomorrow morning 8 AM @ Tent City MORE INFO
Fri, Oct 20 2006

Alumni Rally Today @ 3 PM
Elisa Abenchuchan There will be an alumni rally in front of Chapel Hall today at 3 PM.
Fri, Oct 20 2006