Mishka Zena

The arrogance of BoT, ignoring the whole Community and the protest, ignoring the negative PR coverage accumulating in the media, especially after the violence of its security guards against its students were exposed. For sure, the BoT doesn’t represent the Gallaudet Community. By the way, it was reported that the memo was sent only two minutes after the two students were summarily dismissed after 5 mins meeting with the BoT. In other words, they have already written the memo before they heard from the students.

 Clearly, this has been a difficult day here on campus.  I must say, at the outset, that a great number of charges and countercharges have been covered by the media.  It has been a stressful situation, but we have been exploring (and will continue to explore) ways to peacefully resolve the campus situation.  We are committed, first and foremost, to the safety of the Gallaudet family—students, faculty, and staff.  

I want to give special thanks to the faculty, staff and the Gallaudet security team for their support under difficult conditions. Let me provide an update on the outcomes of today’s board meeting.  It should come as no surprise that our discussions were candid and animated—all viewpoints were welcomed and heard. We recognize that it will take time to heal the wounds that have been opened over these last several months.  As an academic institution, we desire an environment that promotes freedom of speech and assembly.  However, we have a commitment to all of our students; and therefore we have directed the Administration to do what is necessary both to assure the safety of our students and to allow the work of the university to proceed.    While on campus we have met with various faculty, students, alumni and staff representatives with many different points of view in order to hear their concerns. We were in the process of considering the protestors’ request for an independent review of the selection process, not our decision, when we were advised that the protestors have taken that demand off the table. It is difficult for the Administration to negotiate when the students make two non-negotiable demands.  It is the Administration’s responsibility to resolve the takeover of the Hall Memorial Building .  They have our confidence. We look forward to Dr. Fernandes becoming the next President of Gallaudet University.  The Board is committed to offering an outstanding education to the students at Gallaudet. Our job is to establish policies that provide a safe academic environment where growth and learning can take place. We will work with the Administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni towards the goal of eliminating oppression of all kinds, including audism and racism on campus.  

We wish to assure that Gallaudet University is an institution that embraces and values American Sign Language and the cultures of deaf people all over the world. 

We are committed to a Board of Trustees nomination process that is fair and inclusive.  

We value diversity and show caring and fairness in listening to voices and views of all persons in the campus community. 

We will assure that due process in disputes are managed well.” From Elisa’s new blog gallaudet protests » Blog Archive » Just Minutes After BOT’s Meeting with Students…