Please read through the following websites/blogs/resources!

Deaf President Now - Gallaudet University [website]

Deaf President Now - Wikipedia [website]

"Deaf Mosaic - DPN - Gallaudet, 1988 [video, 27:07 mins]

Gallaudet Protest 1988 [video, 18:15 mins]

Deaf Unity 2006 - Jane Fernandes GU President Elect [video, 01:18 mins]

The InterpretersFriend.org - Deaf Unity 2006 (DPN #2) [website, day-by-day break-down]

"At University for Deaf, Protesters Press Broader Demands" - NY Times [website]

QUESTION: Why is it so important for Deaf People to care about who their university's President is?

ANSWER: No matter what culture or group, everyone wants to feel like they're represented, supported, and seen/heard/felt. The same goes for Deaf people, who are part of the "invisible disability"— you'd never notice them walking around in public, unless you tried to directly communicate with them. (You could be surrounded by d/Deaf people and never know it!) They wanted Deaf representation in Gallaudet University's administration.

Historically speaking, Deaf have never had representation "at the table" when and where it mattered. There have been no major Deaf (ASL-using) governmental representatives, no huge famous Deaf heroes in history who have been known for their achievements in spite of their deafness (maybe Hellen Keller), and very few Deaf bosses or managers at most Deaf peoples' places of employment. So the chance at fighting for a Deaf President of Gallaudet University in 1988 was a landslide moment and a promise long in coming.

March 6-13, 1988, the four main students: Greg Hlibok, Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne, and Jerry Covell were "Deaf of Deaf" (some going back several generations). They were seen as "core members" of the ASL Deaf Community and had been trained and supported by their parents, Gallaudet graduates. This multi-generational approach was able to bring the student body, interpreters, teachers, staff, and other administrators together to close down the school before Spring Break in 1988. They blocked the school gates. They rallied and protested. They marched to the Capitol. They got wide TV coverage. And in the end, got their demands met:

1. Elizabeth Zinser (hearing, non-signer) must resign and a deaf president be selected.

2. Jane Spilman (hearing, Chair of the Board of Trustees, allegedly stated: "Deaf people are not able to function in a hearing world.") must resign from the Board.

3. The percentage of deaf members on the Board of Trustees must be increased to at least 51%.

4. There must be no reprisals against any of the protesters.

…Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth president -and first deaf president- of Gallaudet University.

QUESTION: What about DPN #2, the "Unity for Gallaudet" Protest in 2006?

ANSWER: 18 years after DPN (1988), again, the position of President at Gallaudet University was about to be decided. Even though I. King Jordan had been the president since DPN, he was ready to retire and move on. The Gallaudet University Board of Trustees chose "Jane Fernandes, a woman who protestors felt was "not deaf enough," because despite being born deaf, she did not learn American Sign Language until adulthood. However, many of the protesters objected to Fernandes by claiming that she was not in touch with the faculty's students and ill-liked."

Yet again, the students, faculty, and staff felt as if their wishes (and representation) were not being heeded. A rally and protest were called for again! September 20, 2006, the Student Congress passed a resolution stating that they did not recognize Jane Fernandes as President. Afterwards, a huge Tent City of protestors (current students, faculty, staff, alumni, etc.) popped up on campus. They staged their protests until "Black Friday" October 13, 2006, when the DC Police were called in by I. King Jordan (retiring President) to arrest the Tent City occupants.

Tim Rarus, one of the four major organizers and alumnus was one of the first to be arrested. He shouted as he was taken away: "I helped put you in office, now you're arresting me!" (Washington Post article). The arrests were witnessed by thousands of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and others, both in person and on the internet.

October 16, 2006, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) spoke out against Fernandes as President.

October 19, 2006, the Washington Post published an article stating that of the 20 Board of Trustees (3 were members of Congress), perhaps 7 didn't agree with Fernandes' appointment.

October 21, 2006, over 4,000 Protestors from around the nation marched to the Capitol Building, demanding Fernandes' resignation.

October 29. 2006, the Gallaudet Board of Trustees withdrew its appointment of Jane Fernandes as President, without naming an alternate.

QUESTION: So what was the point of both protests/rallies?

ANSWER: Deaf people in America "found their voices" and realized that they would no longer be treated as second class citizens. Living in D.C. and being so close to the seat of government, Deaf students and employees at Gallaudet University were in the perfect place to assert their humanity, their power, and their opinions/desires (even through sign language and interpreters!). Deaf people are empowering themselves and expecting accessibility, equality, and a seat at the table.