Mishka Zena

From the newsroom of the Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 17, 2006 …..

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Gallaudet in Turmoil

I am a 1972 graduate of Gallaudet University, and I support the protests there but not the closure of the campus. I visit the school frequently to support the protests, as well as to observe and to help protect the students, and my wife is a member of the protesting faculty.

I would like to point out two factual errors in the Oct. 13 editorial “Giving Gallaudet a Bad Name”:

· Whereas protesting Gallaudet University students had indeed locked down the campus, they stood willing to allow entry to the Model Secondary School for the Deaf and the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. Gallaudet administrators closed those schools, not the students.

Admittedly, the logistics of getting on and off campus were complicated, but students were allowing cafeteria workers, health-care employees and others to enter. They also allowed food, mail and package deliveries.

· Faculty members did not incite student dissent nor did they abet the shutdown. A majority of Gallaudet faculty members supported the protest regarding the flawed presidential search process and the resulting selection, but they also wanted the school to remain open. They stood with the students in protesting but advised and implored them on a daily basis to reopen the campus.

WILLIAM LYNN BAILES III
Silver Spring

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As both a Gallaudet University student and employee, I am repulsed and infuriated by the belligerent and uncivilized behavior of the anti-Gallaudet forces who characterize themselves as saviors of the school.

The real enemies of Gallaudet are those who have occupied buildings; blocked entrances; refused to negotiate in good faith; and disrupted the lives, careers and educations of people who do not support their disrespectful behavior and capricious demands.

Although I respect and support the free speech rights of the protesters, I find their arguments fallacious, and I resent having my education and my work held hostage by those with whom I disagree.

DEBRA JOSEPHSON ABRAMS
McLean

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The Oct. 12 front-page article “Student Rebellion Boils Over at Gallaudet” reminded put me of Vietnam War-era college takeovers.

Then, as now, it seemed that all college administrators had to do was threaten striking students with incompletes or F’s in their courses.

The demonstrations would have ended, to use an old Virginia term, right quick.

E.D. LOWRY
Arlington

© 2006 The Washington Post Company