Inside Gallaudet
To the Campus Community: Myths & Facts
There have been rumors, allegations and false statements made by the dissenters and spread on the internet, through the media, and around campus. Sadly, the protestors have unlawfully closed the campus. We feel it is vital to set the record straight. Although, we have been negotiating in good faith since Friday, apparently we were the only ones negotiating in good faith. We had a signed agreement on Monday, October 9 at 1:00 p.m. with the SBG president to reopen HMB. He “rescinded his signature”. We encourage civil discourse and mutual respect, but that cannot happen when one side is holding the other hostage.
What they say #1: We the dissenters are not being heard.
What they mean: You’re not doing what I demand you do.
FACT: We have heard the dissenters; the world has heard the dissenters and their non-negotiable demands.
What they say #2: This is a peaceful demonstration of our free speech rights.
What they mean: We have rights, no one else has a right to their opinion if it differs from ours. You can’t get an education if you don’t agree with what we want.
FACT: Shutting down a building, or a campus and keeping faculty from teaching and students from learning is not peaceful.
What they say #3: We are afraid for our safety.
What they mean: We’ve been advised that using the fear word is very effective in getting sympathy during a protest.
FACT: The safety of our students is of paramount importance to us. If this were not so we would already have taken the building back by whatever means necessary instead of engaging in hours of negotiations.
What they say #4: We are being harassed and intimidated by the administration.
What they mean: They are trying to get us to allow classes and the business of the university to continue.
FACT: The dissenters have been harassing and intimidating those who have not joined them in their protest.
What they say #5: The administration spread fertilizer where we set up our tents.
What they mean: We were only retaliating when we vandalized College Hall with dog feces.
FACT: A routine autumn fertilizer application was scheduled on campus months in advance and no one thought to cancel it. The fertilizer used was non-toxic.
What they say #6: We have been assaulted and pepper sprayed.
What they mean: We want your sympathy.
FACT: Someone called in two bomb threats. They are always taken seriously. The officers have denied using force or pepper spray. However, at the request of the Board of Trustees we are initiating an independent investigation of the allegations.
What they say #7: The administration called in the bomb threat to regain control of the building.
What they mean: The administration will do anything to reopen HMB.
FACT: An outrageous allegation. We would never divert fire and rescue personnel from taking care of legitimate needs. And if we were going to use it to empty HMB, why is it still occupied?
What they say #8: The search process for the next President of the University was a flawed process and did not consider minority candidate.
What they mean: We do not like the Board of Trustee’s decision.
FACT: The Presidential Search Committee consisted of Trustees, Faculty, staff, students and alumni. It was an inclusive committee that reflected diversity of race, gender and the spectrum of deafness and hearing. The six semi-finalists for the position included candidates of color and gender diversity. Three of the six semi-finalists were either women or people of color.
What they say #9: Dr. Fernandes is not a leader; Dr. Fernandes is not “deaf enough”; Dr. Fernandes is not sensitive to our needs.
What they mean: We don’t want her as our next president.
FACT: Dr. Fernandes is a strong leader; she has been deaf from birth, she communicates in ASL fluently, and she is an experienced educator. She has worked with the campus community, as Provost, and developed an action plan for dealing with the entrenched issues of racism and audism.
What they say #10: The administration is not negotiating in good faith.
What they mean: The administration is not giving in to their demands.
FACT: The administration met round the clock throughout the weekend with SBG leaders. The SBG President signed and agreement to reopen HMB and then pulled the agreement back. He has since made a list of more than 20 obviously unacceptable demands.
What they say #11: The dissenters are supported by a majority of faculty, students, staff and alumni.
What they mean: We are louder, more visual, and get more media space than the administration.
FACT: The majority of people on campus want the resumption of their classes and a safe environment.
Take this opportunity to let the dissenters know that they are not representing you and they need to allow free entrance to the campus and classrooms for faculty, students and staff.
Posted: 13 Oct 2006
