IKJ’s Reconciliation Message – Unapologetic and Still in Denial

I’ve been watching Gallaudet’s News postings over the past few days ever since it announced the BoT’s decision to oust Fernandes.

More importantly, I was watching to see whether the PR Department would post more editorials that were pro-Fernandes as it had done in the past. It is important to emphasize just how overwhelming the Deaf community’s support was for the protests, to the extent that the administration could only counter by publishing pro-Fernandes statements from editorial boards that had no inkling of what the protests were about, much less what Deaf culture is.

Thankfully, the PR Department hasn’t posted any further editorials…so far.

But, I King Jordan did issue a message asking for “Reconciliation on Campus,” which I eagerly read.

I became disenheartened to see that I King Jordan simply is still in denial and unapologetic in how his own actions, and of those serving under him, during the protests had been far more damaging to the Deaf community than the actions of the protestors themselves.

My comments are in italics… 

  http://news.gallaudet.edu/?id=9655

Reconciliation on Campus: Message from I. King Jordan

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Teachers:

I don’t have to tell you that the past months of intense discord have taken their toll on our community. Certainly the impact of what we have been through will resonate among all of us on campus and among alumni throughout the world for many years to come.

Of course you don’t have to tell us about the toll you’ve taken on “our” community; thanks to your mind-boggling decisions and actions,  Jordan! And, oh, yes, we will certainly be speaking ill of you for many years to come…about how you turned your back on the very people that made you who you are.

I deeply regret that Dr. Fernandes was not given an opportunity to become Gallaudet’s next President and carry out her vision for the University. She has devoted the past 11 years to making Gallaudet an inclusive educational environment of high quality for all deaf and hard of hearing students, and I believe she would have led the University to new heights of achievement. However, that is not to be, and we must look to the future of Gallaudet, to address the issues that have been raised, and to reconcile our differences.

Jordan, your pro-Fernandes statement has absolutely no place in this “reconciliation” message from you. The Board of Trustees, which oversees you, has made its decision and for you to openly regret the Board’s decision is tantamount to insubordination. If a high-ranking officer in a corporation made such a similar comment, that officer would have been likewise terminated by the Board. Either that, or this is yet another indication of the widely-held belief that you retain (or rather, had retained) significant influence on the Board. 

As we work to ensure a safe and productive teaching, learning, and working environment for all members of our community, I ask each of you to join me in bringing about reconciliation on campus. One way to begin is for each of us to look within ourselves and think of what we can do to help bring about healing. I realize that the issues before us evoke passionate feelings, but I believe we can—and must—devote that same passion to addressing these issues and healing our community. Concerns that have been debated with heat must be discussed and resolved through collaboration of the administration, board, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and all those committed to the well-being of the University.

I take affront at your comments, Jordan! ”Safe” environment? I’d like to remind you, Jordan, that it was you and your divisive comments and decisions that led to: 1) Protestors assaulted and threatened by DPS; 2) Protestors injured as a result of DPS and PPD personnel attempting to re-open the MSSD gate by force; 3) Protestors placing their health and lives at risk by being willing to starve themselves as a result of you and your decisions!

However, I am more insulted by your comment of asking US to join YOU in bringing about reconciliation. YOU are the one who should be joining US in reconciling our differences…and it begins with YOU apologizing to us!

After all, you DID say that we need to look into ourselves and think about what we need to do to begin the healing, didn’t you? Well, Jordan, we are all waiting for your apology.

During the almost 19 years of my presidency, we have accomplished great things together. I know our community will get through this challenging period, but it will require hard work from all of us. After all, no matter what position each of us took in recent months, we share a common love and concern for Gallaudet University. May that shared love give us the desire and strength to rebuild relationships, and work together for Gallaudet’s future.

I. King Jordan
President

 It is truly unfortunate, Jordan, that you didn’t realize that there are many of us who love Gallaudet and are more concerned about it than you are. It must have been astonishing for you to see not only the campus rise up against you but the nation and the rest of the world as well!

Don’t ever underestimate the power of a unified Deaf Community, Jordan. One would have thought that you’d be the first to know this, considering the circrumstances that brought you to the presidency in the first place.

Yes, the Deaf Community can be bogged down in bickering, politics, and gossip…but when an event or series of events, such as those that unfolded at Gallaudet, inflames them, the sight of a unified Deaf Community is truly one to behold.

While I await your apology, Jordan, I’d actually like to thank you. Your inflammtory decisions and tactics at Gallaudet served to not only unite us but to illuminate us as well! Across the nation, there are now reports of the Deaf Community beginning to expose the audism and management by intimidation occuring elsewhere!

Jordan, the final chapter in your Gallaudet biography is a disgraceful one caused by none other than yourself; however, there is a silver lining. You can at least brag that you were one of the original instigators that renewed and inspired the Deaf Community to reassert itself in the beginning years of the 21st Century. 

BREAKING NEWS: Fernandes Terminated!

WTOP Radio of Washington DC has just announced that the Board of Trustees has voted to terminate Jane Fernandes as President-Elect!

Images of Heavy Equipment Used to Dislodge Protestors at MSSD Gate

WUSA, a DC metro station, has posted pictures of the backhoe used to “scoop up” the protestors’ tents and gear.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=53048

Private Investigator is EXTREMELY upset at this hasty action by the administration, which has yet again showed its failure to open dialogues with the protestors and thus could have avoided the use of heavy-handed tactics such as this.

The more the administration responds in such a manner, the more support it generates for the protestors.

BoTs to Meet on Sunday, October 29th!

The Washington Post Online is reporting that the Board of Trustees will meet on Sunday, October 29th, that is, if they can ensure the security that is needed, according to Brenda Brueggenman.

 Security?! Apparently, Brenda’s afraid of those shooting threats, anarchists and terrorists that Jane has been babbling about lately.

Excuse the cliches but if the Board does meet, this will be a pivotal moment, a moment where the die will be cast, where the tide may turn, where fates will collide with an iceberg…oh, wait, that last one was from Titanic, sorry.

Either way, it’ll be a momentous event.

PI will be watching anxiously.

Weblink here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102300823.html

Gu Public Relations Out of Ideas, Forced to Rely on Outside Sources

It was recently pointed out to Private Investigator that the administration’s PR Department is simply running out of reasons justifying the selection of Fernandes as president and has resorted to relying on outside sources to speak for it.

 In reviewing the press releases issued by Gallaudet for the past week, Private Investigator must concur with that statement, simply based on the grounds that the PR webpage lists a Washington Post editorial link as its first link above any and all other links. Mind you, an editorial is simply an opinion and is not factual.

Then you have the following links that completely fail to address or recognize what is happening on campus. In fact, reading these announcements without knowing the background gives one the impression that this is a relatively minor brouhaha on campus: 

Friday, October 20, 2006

• 2:00 p.m. WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL: Backbone for the Board

Yet another opinion piece NOT related to Gallaudet from people who truly don’t understand the issues of Gallaudet. 

Thursday, October 19, 2006

• 12:24 p.m. Postponement of Homecoming

Otherwise known as “The Grinch who stole Homecoming” announcement. Does not address protest issues.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

• 5:10 p.m. Dr. Jane Hurst: On Nonviolence and Civil Disobedience

Known as the “Let us tell you how to protest properly” by a professor who probably never intended this to be shamelessly propagated by the university. Does not address protest issues.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

• 3:30 p.m. Homecoming 2006 – POSTPONED

See “Grinch” statement above. Does not address protest issues; other than try to blame the protestors for it.

• 9:00 a.m. Statement by President I King Jordan On Faculty Vote

Known as the “You back-stabbing bunch of (bleeps!)” announcement. Compares faculty who voted for this to ingrates. Says protestors nothing more than mobs. Refuses to acknowledge similarities between this and DPN…despite the fact that DPN was not recognized as a civil rights issue until well after the protests had begun.

Monday, October 16, 2006

• 6:59 p.m. Brentwood and West Virginia Ave. Gates Must Reopen and Roads Cleared

We all know how THIS threat turned out…IKJ based his reasoning on cancelling Homecoming on the protestors refusing to follow this proclamation/threat/announcement/whatever. It was a pathethic attempt to blame the protestors.

• 6:40 p.m. Communication Access for the Gallaudet Community

Gallaudet Interpreting Services memorandum to the university community; says “We’ll give you interpreters IF you have a valid GU account number or a credit card.” Note that the Student Body Government was suspended as an organization by Carl Pramuk and thus does not have this access.

• 12:05 a.m. Memo from Michael Moore, Interim Provost

Probably the only rational announcement made by the PR department…and it wasn’t even from someone who was an “insider.”

PI is Truly Flummoxed!

I sat back and took a respite once I saw the Washington Post article…Why add to the discussion when Fernandes had obviously committed “career suicide” once her email to the board was made public?  

Fernandes labels the protestors as being engaged in anarchy and terror…

Fernandes threatens the Board with Congressional action if they ask her to resign or fire her…

That should have been an open and shut case for her to resign, right?

 Apparently not!

The current spin is that Fernandes truly does believe the protests on campus are so disjointed and not unified that it is indeed, according to her, anarchy on campus. Terrorism on campus? According to her, you’re damned right there are terrorists on campus, threatening students left and right, causing property damage, etc. You might as well call the CIA and let them know that Osama bin laden isn’t hiding out in Pakistan anymore, he’s hiding out somewhere on Kendall Green.

 And as for the recently reported comment of her being threatened to be shot? Well, it’s already been widely pointed out that such an isolated threat was made in May but is now being reported as if it had just happened. DPS didn’t take it seriously, Fernandes herself admitted that she didn’t take it seriously, but the media sure is!

 Either way, I am TRULY flummoxed at why Fernandes is STILL insisting on grasping the golden ring and becoming president.

The only concrete reason I’ve seen her give was that she went home and talked it over with her family, who apparently were outraged at the treatment being given to her. Apparently, her family’s outrage provided her with some fuel to keep on going.

 Like that’s a REALLY good reason to stay put.

 Private Investigator is TRULY flummoxed.

Is there anyone out there who can shed some reason on why she insists on staying in the face of not just the students, but of the faculty and alumni as well?

It is a foregone conclusion that she cannot govern Gallaudet University effectively considering the various populations against her.

But I  still ask, why stick around?!

Fernandes Tells BoTs that Protestors = Terrorists!

Thursday’s Washington Post article on the Gallaudet crisis contains this startling quote, allegedly from Fernandes in an email to the Board of Trustees:

“What we are dealing with on campus is anarchy and terrorism. . .”

Fernandes also allegedly made the following comment in regards to if the Board were to terminate her or ask her to resign:

“[T]he University and in particular the Board of Trustees will undergo intense scrutiny from Congress. I venture to guess Congress will ask why you did not perform your fiduciary duties to the University. And you will have to explain.”

Fernandes had also allegedly requested that Board members not resign, as many apparently expressed a desire to do so.

If this email is legitimate, it doesn’t take a genius to read between the lines…Fernandes has gone over the deep end, comparing students to terrorists and essentially blackmailing the Board of Trustees.

I might not hear well but I DO hear a clock ticking close by!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101802035.html

Fernandes’ Letter of Application for President

I King Jordan, in a nifty PR move, publicly begged everyone to not “pre-judge” Fernandes and asked to give her time to prove her capability as a leader.

Private Investigator says why wait?

Fernandes already made several statements in her letter of application for president that can be compared to her actions since being selected as president-designate.

In her application (http://pr.gallaudet.edu/presidentalsearch/?ID=8639), she makes several statements in regards to communication and leadership styles that I thought would be worth bringing to your attention.

Remember, the quotes in italics are what Fernandes wrote in her application.

“In over ten years of administrative experience. . .I have developed extensive knowledge of Gallaudet University’s operation, culture, constituent groups, strengths and challenges.”

Jane, say again what you just said recently? ” ‘The anger is amazing. . .I really don’t understand. So I have to believe it’s not about me. . . . ” Washington Post quote, October 15th.

If she’s unable to grasp why the anger exists and proceeds to deny that it’s all about her then I guess her Gallaudet knowledge, especially that of culture and constituent groups, isn’t that extensive after all.

“. . .[T]he current liberal education thinking stresses the ability to communicate effectively with diverse people in order to collaborate effectively and live together most peacefully and freely.”

I guess Fernandes, despite saying this in her application, doesn’t agree with current liberal education thinking as shown by her apparent refusal to meet and discuss the crisis with the various and diverse protest leaders. She isn’t an apparent proponent of “peacefully and freely” either, judging by her implied approval of Jordan’s decisions to arrest peaceful protestors.

“This avenue of communication [Gallaudet chapter of the American Association of Univeristy Professors] has, I believe, helped to create a growing sense of trust and respect between administrators and faculty that has not always been evident.”

 I found this to be one of Fernandes’ most damning arguments against herself. Here she is, in her own application for president, saying that she acknowledges the existence of distrust and a lack of respect between the administration, i.e. including herself as Provost, and the faculty. This should have raised a red flag with the Board of Trustees.

Why would the Board knowingly hire a person who admitted in her own application letter that she, as Provost and an adminstrator, oversaw an atmosphere of distrust and disrespect? Whether it came from the faculty or from the administration is of no consequence; the message is clear here: Gallaudet is dysfunctional.

“Through my role as leader of the [Crisis Management Team], I have had onngoing experience working with local, national, and international media.”

“While we respect a variety of communication modes and languages among deaf people, we must also unite in affirming visucentric public discourse.” 

Give Jane her credit here, she has been particularly adept at spinning the media! “I’m not deaf enough!” is one of her more successful sound bites.

Her frequent interviews with radio media is rather brilliant when one realizes that the majority of the people who oppose her are severely limited in being able to respond in such a forum.

In other words, when it comes right down to it, communication accessibility for the deaf goes right out the door if it means for Jane to get the word out in her favor! So much for her emphasis on effective communication on campus.

This is another red flag for the Board to consider: Fernandes, in her application letter, emphasizes the need for public discourse to be visucentric. However, her recent actions have shown her to not adhere to her own tenets, or rather, the tenets she professes to support in her application.

“If I am selected as president of Gallaudet University, I will dedicate myself to sending the message that Gallaudet University is here for all of us.”

Jane Fernandes ended her application with this sentence.

If she is truly dedicated to sending the message that Gallaudet is for all us then she will do the right thing for all of us and resign. The longer she stays, the more she is sending the message that Gallaudet isn’t for all of us…instead, it’s just for her.

-PI

Ask Sorenson to review their partnership with GIS!

For those of you who don’t know…Sorenson has a very lucrative partnership with Gallaudet Interpreting Services (GIS).

Would you like to ask Sorenson to review its relationship with Gallaudet University considering what’s going on these days? I DID! Send them an email and ask them to issue a public statement to clarify Sorenson’s rationale  in supporting the current administration by still continuing its partnership with Gallaudet!

Have no fear, the following contacts are NOT their private emails! Instead, they are their public work emails.  The following are the email addresses of Sorenson’s President/CEO, VP of Sales, and VP of Interpreting.

 Copy and paste the following field into your email “TO” line: 

patrick.nola@sorenson.com; dave@sorenson.com; chris@sorenson.com;

Use any subject header you like.

Suggested Text of the Body (Again, Copy and Past into your own email if you like): 

 Dear Gentlemen:

I am sure you are aware of what has been happening at Gallaudet University.

Many of us are enormously grateful for the huge advances in communication that Sorenson technology has given to the Deaf community.

However, we are concerned about Sorenson’s ongoing relationship with Gallaudet Interpreting Services in light of the turmoil on campus. Many have angrily suggested a nationwide boycott of Sorenson VRS as long as Sorenson continues its relationship with GIS.

The growing sentiment is that Sorenson is implicitly supporting Gallaudet’s administration, of which the university’s own faculty has issued no confidence votes of the current president, I King Jordan, and of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the faculty has demanded the resignation of president-designate Jane Fernandes.

The protest at Gallaudet University is not limited to the campus; instead, it has grown nationwide.

Sorenson, so closely entwined with the Deaf community, now has an obligation to publicly respond in regards to its role and stance on the crisis at Gallaudet.

 Please let us know what that role and stance will be.

Be polite, people! Angry words or insults to Sorenson won’t help!

-PI

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-Private Investigator