Alumni Take Over!

Where do I begin? It was an emotional ride up 6th Street as I approached Gallaudet in the taxicab from the airport. Entering the 6th Street gate to the campus, everything seemed deserted. In fact, the campus seemed normal--a stark contrast to the grim events of 24 hours earlier. A few tidbits of interest:

• I couldn't get a room at the GUKCC. The lady at the front desk said the hotel is closed until Monday under orders of management.
• Everyone seems to be in shock from last night's events.
• The front gate is being manned by alumni from all over (Minnesota, California, DC, Maryland, New York, Virginia, South Dakota, and so on) until sometime tomorrow while the students take a much-needed break!
• The Red Cross may pitch in and donate some tents, sleeping bags, and porta-johns to Gallaudet's Tent City!
• Everyone is talking about their disbelief at how far things have gone without any concrete resolution in sight.
• Ben Soukup, for now, is considered a hero in many peoples' eyes for staying on campus all throughout the arrests last night. People are asking "WHERE IS THE REST OF THE BOARD?"
• The campus is considered 'open', with the 6th Street gate unblocked and allowing traffic in and out unimpeded. The front gate--the symbolic main entrance to Gallaudet--remains blocked off, however. It's a better setting for the media anyway, with the Tower Clock in the background.
• Alumni who are here are comparing the Gallaudet situation with the state of Deaf education all over the country. Too many schools are run by people who do not have a vested interest in the products.

People are determined. Tired, but determined. This thing, as we all knew, is not going away any time soon. While I am here, I hope to get some in-depth perspectives from various people on this protest--not only on the current situation but also on the future impact it will have on Gallaudet and the greater Deaf community.

Signing off, for now...

Roger