I am hereby urging you to write a letter about Gallaudet University to your representatives in Congress.
As President Bob Davila's long and contentious memo to campus community about the upcoming university budget demonstrated, there are plenty of sacrifices. One thing is certain: The status quo isn't working. What's next?
The United States of America is still the only nation around the world that appropriates higher education for the Deaf in Washington, D.C., through Congress. Gallaudet University is as important to intellectual life of Deaf people as all other colleges and universities are to that of general population. In the broadest sense, Gallaudet University is a specialized learning community in which faculty and students are supposedly bilingual in American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
ASL and its embedded culture, namely and specifically Deaf people, their children and colleagues, are very much part of our nation's natural resources conservation, addressing the conditions of Deaf people. Our language, culture and physical environment are so unique we have completely different needs. However, there have been several sound attempts to eradict both deafness and ASL by powerful consumer and medical profession organizations that promote language bigotry and genocide. ASL is as American as apple pie, and people do love ASL.
What our representatives in Congress need to do is to continue to be responsible for both upkeep and accreditation of Gallaudet University. What I noticed most in Bob Davila's letter was how secure tenure faculty (most hearing and non-bilingual) would be and how insecure non-tenure faculty (most deaf and bilingual) would be. This must change!
Do we focus the same binocular on this university pattern? Tell the truth to Congress, and tell us, is Gallaudet University part of the nation's pride?
Write to Congress now!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
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8 comments:
I will do my part and I am so disaapointed at I. King Jordan and Jane Fernandes' mess they made for Gallaudet. I think the Gallaudet community should encourage the US Attorney General to press criminal charges against them two. They defrauded the government and now all students, faculty and staff are paying for it.
Rest assured, I will write. There was a small group of people, myself included, who had been using a binocular since 1973. Therefore, we advised the BoT not to select Jordan. They ignored our petition and selected Jordan. Now those who supported Jordan blundered. A real, real REAL blunder! The mess -- at the expense of students and alumni -- we have seen at Gallaudet was caused by the Jordan administration (1988-2006)!
Stephen,
You use a right word: defrauded.
They defrauded AT THE EXPENSE
of students.
I would like to help by writing letter to my Congressman but what and HOW shall I write? Thanks for your warning!
I was led to believe that the salaries of the faculties and staffs were similar to Federal General schedule and that they got similar COLA raise every Jan 1st. Apparently, the benefits are similar but not salaries?
Congress has not passed all of fy 08 budget yet, and this is the time to write to congress to ask for increased funding during this critical stage of bringing Gallaudet up to par after the mess of you know whos.
What we do need is a permanent president. Someone who will be around for more than just a few months. Someone who doesn't just label Gallaudet as "NEW". Its the same place its been for decades. We need someone who will work with Congress for the long haul.
Can someone explain why we have not been kept of informed of how the presidential search is going?
Please dont make Deaf life bury. Let save Deaf life ( culture, ASL, much more).
Will pension will make things easier than write letter to congress? I am not sure how to go about it? I meaning to say pension is more counts of body of Deaf people have their rights to have ASL to be notice of these ASL language? for sure it works and faster than mail letters? congress have no clue what ASL have to do? they have no knowledge of Deaf people none whatsoever. they have not sit down and invite one of Deaf to come to their home and chatting with interputer provide. let congress see it for themselves. they will say ahh got it.you need feed and understanding to the congress alot better than being an stranger. I feel sorry for Congress doesn't have any idea or have a friends with Deaf people? I don't understand why there is no CODA congress? if there is then perfectly fit! it will bring brighter feature for the DEAF ASL.
Kristy SC
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