Sixth Open Letter to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, Administration, Supporters, and Interested Persons

Posted October 6, 2006

To refer others to this page, please use:
http://www.nad.org/GallaudetOpenLetter6; see also http://www.nad.org/GallaudetPresident

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) regretfully concludes that, contrary to what Gallaudet President I. King Jordan told attendees during his Opening Ceremonies keynote address at the NAD Biennial Conference last July, there is indeed a crisis at Gallaudet.

Yesterday, the Gallaudet Board of Trustees told the president of the Student Body Government, Noah Beckman, that “we are at a stalemate” and “we can’t meet one of your demands”. For whatever reason, the Board regards itself as currently unable to resolve the burgeoning crisis at Gallaudet. Even five Open Letters issued by the NAD could not help resolve these tensions.

The students, despite their love of Gallaudet and their many efforts, also are not in a position to end the current stalemate. Likewise is true for the faculty, staff and alumni.

Today, the University issued a press release containing ominous words:
“We will take whatever steps are necessary to restore order to campus” and a further one stating: “The D.C. Police may be called in to remove the dissenters.”

This is, by any definition, a crisis.

The NAD stands by the principles articulated in our Open Letters of last spring and summer. In those Letters, the NAD supported the faculty, staff, students, and alumni and called upon the Gallaudet Board of Trustees and administration to exercise decisive leadership to heal and restore trust to the campus and the worldwide Gallaudet Community.

Healthy dialogue with all interested campus and external constituencies cannot begin until trust is restored. For that reason, it is vital that the University immediately cease any confrontational tactics toward campus faculty, students, and staff. Again, as stated earlier, the courage and wisdom of members of the Gallaudet Board of Trustees is critically needed to resolve the ongoing crisis of leadership and trust at Gallaudet University.

Sincerely,

Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President
National Association of the Deaf

Nancy J. Bloch
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of the Deaf

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