Utah Involvement in Gallaudet University History

Utah Involvement in
Gallaudet University History
Compiled & Written by Jodi B. Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2015
Today, Gallaudet University is the world’s only liberal arts college for deaf and
hard of hearing students. This university was originally known as the National Deaf-Mute
College and it was founded in 1864 in Washington, D.C. In 1894, this college was
renamed to Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer in
education of the deaf. In 1986, Gallaudet College was changed to Gallaudet University
when President Ronald Reagan signed the Education of the Deaf (Public Law 99-371).
The early founding of the Utah School for the Deaf, the staff members and
students created a close connection with Gallaudet University. The frequent mention of
Gallaudet College was found in the issues of Utah Eagle magazine, Eaglet papers and
UAD Bulletin.
Establishment of the National Deaf-Mute College
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was first to work for education of the deaf pupils in
the United States. With the help of Laurent Clerc, a brilliant deaf man from Paris, France,
Gallaudet founded the first school for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. Gallaudet was a
friend, teacher, and benefactor of the Deaf community (Burdett, The Utah Eagle,
December 1954).
Gallaudet’s son, Edward Miner Gallaudet was also involved in the education of
the deaf. He became the
first superintendent of the
Columbia Institute for the
Instruction of the Deaf,
founded by Amos
Kendall in 1857. Kendall
and Gallaudet had the
vision of establishing a
Columbia Institution for the Deaf, circa 1893, shortly before the
collegiate department became named after T.H. Gallaudet.
Source: Wikipedia
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college for the deaf. They
were determined to make such a dream come true. However, their proposal to Congress
for permitting the school to award college degrees was not easy. At the time, the
Congress faced large and pressing problems each day, but some of the members of
Congress could see the wisdom of younger Gallaudet’s proposal. Finally, the Congress
enacted the Act and President Abraham Lincoln signed its charter on April 8, 1864
(Elstad, The Utah Eagle, December 1954).
The institution soon was renamed the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb where the collegiate division was created and named the National Deaf-Mute
College (Elstad, The Utah Eagle, December
1954).
The National Deaf-Mute College, as
the only liberal arts university for the deaf in
the world, was designed for those deaf and
hard of hearing students who were unable to
make satisfactory progress in other colleges
or universities The purpose of the National
Deaf-Mute College was to provide the liberal
arts for students and to prepare them to
become independent, productive citizens to
enter the professional or vocational fields
after graduation (Elstad, The Utah Eagle,
December 1954).
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of
Science degrees were offered during the
junior and senior years, specializing in the work offered by one of the following
departments: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, History and Political Science,
Economics and Sociology, English, Art, Education, Home Economics, and Library
Science (Elstad, The Utah Eagle, December 1954).
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During the first three years of college, the students were required to take English
composition. They also had to take communication courses to develop their speech,
speechreading, and hearing to the maximum, as well as other means of communications
of value to the Deaf.
In 1891, the National Deaf-Mute College established a teacher-training program,
which admitted only hearing students. Ironically, deaf people who wanted to teach were
not permitted in the graduate program with an emphasis in Deaf Education. Many hearing
graduates taught in and administered state schools for the deaf. By the 21st century, the
School of Education admitted both deaf and hearing students (US History Encyclopedia:
Gallaudet University).
USD First Pupils to Attend the National Deaf-Mute College
On June 8, 1897, Elizabeth DeLong, known as “Libbie,” and John H. Clark were
the only two students (they were cousins) from Utah School for the Deaf to graduate (The
Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 8, 1897).
They were the first students from Utah to
enter Gallaudet College that fall.
On September 15, 1897, Frank M.
Driggs, superintendent of the Utah School
for the Deaf and the Blind, accompanied
them by train to their first year at Gallaudet
of a four-year course of study. He was taking
a one-year teacher's course at the same time
(The Ogden Standard-Examiner, September
Elizabeth DeLong. In courtesy of the
DeLong Family Saga.
15, 1897). Libbie and John H. probably
would not have had the opportunity to go so
far away if Driggs hadn't been there as well.
3
The U.S. Government paid for Libbie’s schooling (Banks). While at Gallaudet,
she was active in drama. During her senior year, Libbie was elected associate editor of
the college publication called The Buff and Blue, and John H. (also a senior) was elected
editor-in-chief (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 19, 1901; Dr. Thomas C. Clark,
personal communication, November 13, 2008).
While at Gallaudet, John H. was a good student
who was active in all sports and was a spiffy dresser. He
was an assistant manager of the Gallaudet football team
(The Silent Worker, December 1900). During his senior
year, he was elected editor-in-chief of the college
publication, The Buff and Blue, and also wrote stories for
it. Libbie, also a senior was elected an associate editor
(The Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 19, 1901; Dr.
Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13,
2008). According to the Ogden Standard-Examiner article
(1901), “To be elected editor-in-chief of the college paper
has always been considered one of the highest honors, and
it is of special note that Utah students obtain two of the
John H. Clark at Gallaudet
Campus
positions (1.)”
In 1902, Libbie was the first female Utah college graduate with a bachelor’s
degree and the first in her family to have a full college education. She left Washington,
D.C. and returned to Ogden, where she began to teach at the Utah School for the Deaf on
September 3, 1902. She continued that position for fifteen years (Banks). She is believed
to be the first deaf teacher with a degree to teach at that school.
Shortly after Libbie and John H. entered Gallaudet College, Lillian Swift of Salt
Lake City and Elmo V. Kemp of Safford, Arizona enrolled at that college. Later more
Utah School for the Deaf alumni attended Gallaudet College to advance their education
and become productive citizens in Utah (The Utah Eagle, June 1906).
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The highest number of Utahns at Gallaudet College was eleven in the fall
of 1936 and has never been surpassed since. Other prominent Gallaudet graduates
of Utah were Dr.
Robert G. Sanderson,
Kenneth C. Burdett,
Ned C. Wheeler,
Joseph Burnett, and
Rodney W. Walker
(Walker, 2006).
Front Row (L-R): Verl Thorup, Joseph Burnett, Dolores Atkinson,
Rodney Walker and Earl Jones. Back Row (L-R): John Glassett, Ned
Wheeler, Earl Rogerson, Bob Sanderson, Robert Lewis and Kyle
Workman.
Did You Know?
In 1887, women gained admittance to the National Deaf-Mute College
(US History Encyclopedia: Gallaudet University).
Gallaudet College Admission
From time to time, many parents of deaf students of Utah School for the Deaf
were anxious to have their children secure a college education at Gallaudet College. USD
assured the parents that every student who can was encouraged to attend college.
In 1946, more than 150 students throughout the country took the entrance
examinations. Only 40 students qualified for admittance. In order to be admitted to the
college, the students had to be familiar with mathematic concepts and English
proficiency.
Teachers of eleventh and twelfth grade classes at USD were able to identify
whether a student would be able to hurdle the Gallaudet College entrance examinations.
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After reviewing the examination papers, the final decision was made by the college
authorities as to whether or not the student was admitted.
Not every graduate of the school had the qualifications necessary to attend
college. Most of the students secured vocational training that enabled them to make a
living and to live happily (Louriteen, The Utah Eagle, February 1947).
Gallaudet Banquet
For the first time in 1944, Gallaudet Banquet was formed to bring Gallaudet
graduates of Utah together. On December 5, 1946, approximately twenty Gallaudetians,
and their spouses attended the Third Annual
Gallaudet Banquet at Hotel Newhouse in Salt
Lake City. Boyd E. Nelson, superintendent of
the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind,
was a guest at the banquet and gave a talk, on
“Bushnell and its Relation to Our School.”
After the conclusion of Superintendent
Nelson’s talk, Gallaudetians were caught off
guard by the proposal to cancel the Gallaudet
banquet at a short business meeting. They
thought the discussion was dead and buried.
Before they had time to organize their
thoughts, the proposal was voted upon and
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1934 Gallaudet
College Senior
passed.
Kenneth C. Burdett, Gallaudet 34’ expressed his disappointment about the
Gallaudet banquet being cancelled. He stated that, “It was a sad thought, and
Gallaudetians wondered why some people can’t be satisfied with a simple gathering
without making it the object of speculation; without twisting and turning the poor simple
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idea of the first banquet until it had lost its original shape and purpose” (Burdett, The
Utah Eagle, January 1947).
Personally, Kenneth Burdett along with other Gallaudetians, attached a great deal
of sentiment of Gallaudet College and always looked forward to the banquet to bring
their fond memories
back. They
acknowledged that there
were those who did not
share their views and
they were aware that
those that did.
The Utah Deaf
community had a
“University Club.” It no
Peilkoff Alumni House
longer can be the
Gallaudet banquet. Gallaudetians had seen the opposition’s arguments and bowed to them
in the interest of unity, but they would not yield those treasured memories nor that feeling
of nostalgia for the happiest years of their life, said Kenneth C. Burdett (Burdett, The
Utah Eagle, January 1947). In 1972, the Beehive
(Utah) Chapter of the Gallaudet College Alumni
Association (BCGUAA) was formed by members
living in Utah, who had graduated or ever attended
class in Gallaudet University. According to Rodney W.
Walker, a Gallaudet class of 1939, the purpose of
establishing the chapter was for the former students to
recognize Gallaudet College as their alma master, and
to see how they were doing in their lives, and to
Rodney W. Walker, a
Gallaudet class of 1939.
Source: The Utah Eagle, April
1955.
provide more fellowship with each other (Walker,
2006).
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Gallaudet University Protest of 1988
From the time that Gallaudet University was established in 1864, there was never
a deaf president. When the sixth president, Jerry Lee announced his resignation as
president of the University on August 24, 1987, a new president was needed. Sixty-seven
people had applied for this position; nine of the candidates were deaf. By February 1988,
the Gallaudet’s Board of Trustee had narrowed down to three candidates, one of whom
was a hearing woman, Dr. Elisabeth A. Zinser. The two deaf candidates were Dr. Harvey
J. Corson and Dr. I. K ing Jordan (Christiansen & Barnett, 1995).
On March 1, 1988, the Deaf President Now committee held a rally on Gallaudet
University football field. A group of young Gallaudet alumni came to encourage
Gallaudet alumni, students,
faculty, and staff as well as
urge the board of trustees
to select a deaf person as
the University's next
president. More than 1,500
people attended the rally.
Flyers were distributed at
the rally, which attracted
attention. The flyers noted
that in 1942 a Roman
Catholic became president
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a member of the Gallaudet University
Board of Trustees
of Notre Dame, that a
woman became president
of Wellesley College in 1875,
that a Jewish person became president of Yeshiva University in 1886, that that a black
person became president of Howard University in 1926. The flyers also noted that “in
1988, the Gallaudet University presidency belongs to a DEAF person” (Christiansen &
8
Barnett, 1995). During the rally, students came to realize the importance of having a deaf
president (Gannon, 1987).
Notably, the rally captured the national attention and an article on it was printed
in the Washington Times and the Washington Post Metropolitan for public awareness of
the presidential search process. Between March 2 and 5, 1988, Gallaudet University
received tons of letters from legislators, alumni, individuals, and outside organizations.
They pressured the board of trustees to select a deaf president. President Greg Hlibok of
the Student Body Government sent a letter to Dr. Zinser asking her to consider resigning
as a candidate for the presidency. She was “warned” that if she became president, the
students would not support her in her new position (Christiansen & Barnett, 1995).
On March 5, the board of trustees interviewed the final three candidates: Dr.
Zinser, Dr. Carson, and Dr. Jordan, at the Mayflower Hotel. Students, faculty, staff and
alumni expected them to select
a deaf president because of the
rally. However, at the meeting,
the board of trustees voted ten
to four for Dr. Zinser. Deaf
people who were members of
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson shakes hand with US President Bill Clinton at the
Gallaudet graduation, 1994.
the board voted for Dr. Jordan.
They couldn’t believe their
eyes that Dr. Zinser won the
vote (Christiansen & Barnett,
1995).
Dr. Sanderson shakes hand with US President Bill Clinton at the 1994
Gallaudet University graduation.
Nonetheless, Dr. Zinser, a vice chancellor for academic affairs of the University
of North Carolina in Greensboro, was the Gallaudet Board of Trustees’ choice to lead the
university. Her qualifications for the job was of high caliber, however she had no
knowledge of deafness and possessed no sign language skills. Staff, faculty, students, and
alumni of Gallaudet were stunned upon learning that a hearing person had been chosen to
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be the next president over two deaf candidates (Christiansen & Barnett, 1995). At the
hotel, the chairman of the board of trustees, Jane Bassett Spilman made the statement that
“Deaf people were not yet ready to function in the hearing world” (Sacks, 1988). Her
insult statement angered deaf people. They immediately demanded that a deaf president
replace Dr. Zinser.
The next day on March 7, a protest broke out. The students shut down the entire
campus. They blocked campus entrances so that no one could enter the school. It was the
beginning of the Revolution of the Deaf, and launched the historic Deaf President Now
protest. Alumni, students, faculty, and the national Deaf community were united and
fought together for one clear goal to finally have a deaf person run the world's only deaf
university -- Gallaudet. The protest lasted a week until March 13 (Christiansen & Barnett,
1995).
The protest sparked a nationwide outpouring of support from alumni and from the
U.S. Congress, which provided 75% of the university’s budget. Additionally, the Board
of Trustees had been called back to tackle the problem of naming a new president. Dr.
Robert Sanderson, Dr. Frank Sullivan and Phil Bravin, all deaf members of the
Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees, formally reaffirmed their support of a deaf president for
Gallaudet University and opposed the choice of a hearing president (UAD Bulletin, April
1988).
Under those circumstances, the students refused to reopen the school until the
four demands presented to the board of trustees were met. The following demands were:
•
•
•
•
Zinser’s resignation and selection of deaf president,
The chairperson of the board of trustee, Jane Bassett Spilman
resign,
Increase in deaf representation on the board to 51% and lastly,
There be no reprisals against the protestors.
However, the board turned down all four demands. Spilman believed that Dr.
Zinser would be an excellent president if the students let her. More than 1,000 students
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marched to the Capital led by four students leaders: Greg Hlibok, Jerry Covell, Tim
Rarus, and Bridgetta Bourne (Christiansen & Barnett, 1995).
Ultimately, alumni, students, faculty, and the national Deaf community were
unwilling to give up the demands until they were met. Finally, on March 13, the board
had a meeting at the Embassy Row Hotel. The people outside of the meeting waited
tensely nine hours for the board announcement. By the time the meeting was over, Phil
Bravin, a deaf member of the board of trustees and also a brother-in-law of Utah native,
Ronald Burdett, called Greg Hlibok via TTY and said that all four demands were met and
that Bravin was the new Chair of the Board after Jane Spilman’s resignation. Dr. I. King
Jordan, a faculty member of Gallaudet, became the first deaf president of the University.
The board secured an increase of 51% in deaf representative on the board and there were
no reprisals for the students or faculty protestors (Christiansen & Barnett, 1995).
As can be seen, the movement had an impact. Alumni, students, faculty, and the
national Deaf community collectively fought for their civil rights until they were heard.
They had the support of the media, through newspapers, radio, and television.
Additionally, they gained the support of the entire nation such as presidential candidates,
labor unions and the national organization. They triumphed and proved that they did not
have to let society take control of their lives. It was a huge victory (Christiansen &
Barnett, 1995).
A Principle of Fair Representation
One year after the 1988 Gallaudet Protest, Mabel Bell, a pseudonym used by Ron
Nelson, then board member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, wrote and published his
insights regarding the principle of fair representation in the June 1989 issue of the UAD
Bulletin. Basically, Ron explained that a general protest is an example of their day calling
for “fair representation.” His article is rather long, but he raised a number of valid points
for the Utah Deaf community to consider in order to enlighten our community and
advocate for fair representative.
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During the Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University, the students cried
for “fair representation.” Noticeably, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson said, “It was a victory for all
people who have felt the pain of being…unrepresented.” After watching the Gallaudet
protest through media, Ron observed that
the lack of fair representation also applied
in Utah and the situation was similar. By
the same token, he stated in his article that
every program set up by legislators or state
agencies that affected the deaf community
were administered and staffed entirely by
hearing people. He said, “They acted as if
they are in a position of Godhood. They
made and continued to make decisions and
policies that have an impact on the deaf
community and future members of the deaf
community as if they know what was best.
They did not see a need to ask the deaf
community how their programs were
Ron Nelson
doing, what their needs were and how these
could be met. Some of them even showed
up once in a while at a deaf activity and expected deaf people to jump for joy at their
presence because they were such good “mothers.” Truly, they destroyed more than they
build competence, independence and pride as real mothers should” (Bell, UAD Bulletin,
June 1989, p. 2).
Ron pointed out that “a classic example of such people was the Gallaudet’s Board
of Trustees that selected Dr. Zinser to be the next president. A fitting description of such
people, hearing “mothers,” was given by Dr. Harlan Lane, author of When The Mind
Hears, in which he states in reference to the board of trustees, “They want to be the
benefactor. The whole attitude of benevolence was that ‘I am better than you’ and ‘I am
helping you.’ That says, ‘I don’t need to learn your views, mine are better.’” Conversely,
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Ron emphasized by saying, “the deaf community needed programs that will help them
develop their skills, talents and leadership so that they can take control of their own
future well trained and highly educated. They will be able to guide the deaf community
on a straight track that will benefit them in the long run. Sad to say, the present programs
did not succeed in their purposes” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 2).
Ron learned that one of the moral questions asked during the week of Deaf
President Now protest was, “Deaf people need to take care of themselves.” Why bother
giving us higher education if we will never be allowed to use it?” This sentiment was
voiced by a Gallaudet faculty member, Truman Stelle, when he said, “It is long past time
that Gallaudet had a deaf president, as testimony that deaf people are capable of leading
themselves”” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 2-3). Comparatively, Ron had a moral
question for some of the agencies in Utah, including Vocational Rehabilitation and the
State Board of Education, because they influenced the education of deaf students: Deaf
people need to take care of themselves. The questions he asked were: “Why aren’t you
training deaf students and those who want to continue schooling, so that they can take
your places and take care of their own people?” “Why aren’t you selecting qualified deaf
people to be administrators in those programs directly affecting the deaf community?”
(Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 3).
At that time, Utah had only one deaf person in a state-level position and this
person was Dennis Platt, an active member of the deaf community and a member of the
Institutional Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Ron stated that
Utah School for the Deaf had been around for over a hundred years, just like Gallaudet
University. His questions brought up this question, “How much longer will we bear the
saddles of “low-class” slavery and permit hearing people to ride on our backs? Dr. Allen
Sussman, a faculty member at Gallaudet states, “The time has come for the plantation
mentality, which has for so long controlled this institution and others serving the deaf, to
end.” Leonard F. Navrat agreed, “The era of hearing people deciding which is ‘best’ for
deaf people has come to an end’” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 2 - 3).
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Ron’s opinion was shared that the ‘Deaf President Now week at Gallaudet
University was not the end. It was only a beginning, a very public and significant first
step.’ He emphasized a point by saying, “It is up to the Deaf community to press on and
use current public awareness to advance their cases. Lou Ann Walker, in “I Know How
to Ask for What I Want,” “Parade Magazine” April 23, 1989, quoted a deaf teacher’s
explanation as to why qualified deaf persons were not being put in advisory positions.
Ron clearly said, “Hearing people don’t want to give up the power” (Bell, UAD Bulletin,
June 1989, p. 3). He believed the majority of hearing administrators will not voluntarily
give up their power to make decisions that affect the deaf community of Utah. He advised
that the sooner we realize this, the sooner we can begin acting with determination to
control our futures with wisdom, instead of waiting and hoping hearing people will
“understand our needs” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 3).
Ultimately, Ron urged that “it was time the deaf community be allowed to make
decisions and to be involved in those matters that deeply affect their lives. It was time the
deaf community’s feedback was requested on matters which will affect their future and
their future leaders. Dr. Harvey J. Corson, Superintendent of the Louisiana School for the
Deaf said, “I think it’s time for a new perspective, one that only a deaf person can offer””
(Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 3).
Ron questioned, “How can hearing people continue like this, making decisions for
the deaf community without fair representation and feedback and expect them to be
happy with it? It was no wonder the deaf community is crying out, “FAIR
REPRESENATION!” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 2).
Henceforth, Ron encouraged the local and state agencies to learn from the mistake
of the Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees and not repeat their mistake as stated by
Congressman Barney (D-Mass), “For the trustees to turn away from the entirely
reasonable request of the students that a hearing-impaired individual be made president of
that college is a very unfortunate expression of insensitivity.” Ruth Ann Leach, a
“Nashville Banner” columnist said, “The problem there was the attitudes of hearing
14
people.” A similar quote was echoed by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, “The problem is not
that the students do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen” (Bell,
UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 3).
In this case, Ron noticed that on a national level, the principle of fair
representation for deaf people was beginning to be recognized and applied. A national
committee, Commission on Education for the Deaf was established by U.S. Congress to
look into the education of the deaf on a national level. This committee was comprised of
a significant number of deaf members (UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 3). He questioned,
“Can agencies on the local and state level follow their example and begin to give fair
representation to the deaf community of Utah? The following small steps had been taken:
•
The Sign Language Committee, set up by the Utah School for the
Deaf to study methods of communication used in the total
communication program, was comprised of a majority of deaf
members.
•
The Commission on Education for the Deaf Committee, set up by
the Institutional Council to review and discuss implementation of
recommendations proposed by the COED, had four deaf members
out of the sixteen persons on the committee (UAD Bulletin, June
1989, p. 3).
Following were some of the many other positions affecting the Utah Deaf
community in which Ron would like to see qualified deaf persons in the near future:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Director of the Utah Community Center of the Deaf
Director of DSDHI
Coordinator of the deaf programs in education
Vocational Rehabilitation counselors
More deaf people on state committees for the people with disabilities
Administrators in religion
State Board of Education
Superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf, additional staff members and
teachers
Director of a possible State Commission on Deafness (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June
1989, p. 3).
15
After all, Ron emphasized the importance that deaf persons filling these positions
must be qualified. He said, “Deafness should not be the only criteria for the job, but if the
deaf person applying was an active member of the deaf community, the deaf applicant
had something that no hearing person will ever be able to develop – an intimate
understanding of deafness and its culture” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, 3.).
To sum up, Ron encouraged the deaf community to take the first step and speak
out. He said, “Talk to other deaf people and share your feelings. Join the deaf political
groups and DO SOMETHING! There were several groups around, such as the Utah
Association for the Deaf, Utah Valley Chapter of the Deaf and sports clubs, such as Utah
Athletic Club of the Deaf and Golden Spike Athletic Club of the Deaf, etc. It didn’t
matter where you start. The important thing was that you get started somewhere and
speak out” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, June 1989, p. 4).
Under those circumstances, Ron gave a last good point “that hearing people were
enjoying the fruits of fair representation. Let’s give the deaf community the opportunity
to enjoy the same fruits. It was time to let them take responsibility for their lives and
education. The time was not soon, or next year, but now!” (Bell, UAD Bulletin, 1989, p.
4).
Lastly, Ron ended with a quote from Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, “If your mind can
conceive it and your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it” (Bell, UAD Bulletin,
June 1989, p. 4).
Old Dormitory at Gallaudet Uncovers Surprises
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a Gallaudet class of 1941 and a member of Gallaudet’s
Board of Trustee, wrote his article in the February 1992 issue of the UAD Bulletin about
uncovering his engraved “Sandie, ’41” in his College Hall dormitory room at Gallaudet
University. During the week of October 21-26, 1991, at the 50th Reunion of the Class of
1941, Dr. Sanderson and a group of the Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees toured the College
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Hall. In the middle of touring, he suddenly left them in a second-floor dormitory room
when he was a student and hurried over to a window ledge where he had etched in a
windowpane. Dr. Sanderson discovered his engraved words, “Sandie, ’41” was still there.
Dr. Sanderson said, “The renovation of College Hall at Gallaudet University had
revealed a number of secrets from the 114-year-old structure’s past, pedestals, domed
ceilings, stained glass windows, and some
mementos from schoolboys who lived in the
building decades ago” (Sanderson, UAD
Bulletin, February 1992, p. 1).
Later, John Dunn, Project Supervisor
for the renovation, removed the pane of
glass, framed it in original wood from
College Hall, and presented it to Dr.
Sanderson, who in turn, gave it to the Office
of Alumni Relations to display in “Ole Jim”
Robert G. Sanderson, 1941 Gallaudet
College Senior
(Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, February 1992).
Unity for Gallaudet of 2006
On May 1, 2006, Gallaudet University encountered another protest known as
“Unity for Gallaudet,” soon after Celia May Baldwin, Utah School for the Deaf (USD)
alumna, alumna of Gallaudet College Class of 1970, former USD teacher and interim
chairperson of Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees, announced the 9th president of Gallaudet
University to be Dr. Jane Fernandes (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007). Dr. Fernandes (deaf)
was hired over two deaf presidential candidates: Dr. Stephen Weiner and Dr. Ronald
Stern.
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During Celia May Baldwin’s announcement, Ryan Commerson, a Gallaudet
graduate student and political activist (he was a plenary speaker at the 2009 Utah
Association for the Deaf conference), spoke of his disapproval of the new selection of Dr.
Fernandes, former provost, as the next president, and walked out of the auditorium where
he was immediately removed by campus security (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007). Under the
influence of Ryan Commerson, the
students also walked out of the
auditorium with the objective of ousting
Dr. Fernandes. During this protest that
lasted a week and a half in May, Celia
May Baldwin resigned from the Board of
Trustees after receiving aggressive
personal threats being made toward her
by community members regarding the
selection (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007).
After the graduation ceremony ended, the
students were forced to go home for the
summer. The protest died down.
By the time, the students returned
for the fall semester, they resumed the
Celia May Baldwin, Interim Chairperson of
Gallaudet’s Board of Trustee
protest and it became intense. They took
over campus buildings and shut down the campus for three days (Berke, 2014). The
protest also led the formation of the Faculty, Students, Staff and Alumni Association
(FSSA). FSSA represented each body, including minority organizations which were
overlooked by President I. King Jordan and Provost Jane K. Fernandes (Unity for
Gallaudet, 2007). Similar to the Deaf President Now protest, the three demands of FSSA
were:
•
•
•
Resignation of Dr. Jane Fernandes,
Allow the presidential search process to re-open,
There are be no reprisals for protestors (Marsh, UAD Bulletin, November 2006).
18
The FSSA believed Dr. Fernandes was not the right person for the presidential
role since Gallaudet University was not performing academically well. During Dr.
Fernandes’ tenure as provost, the quality of education and low graduation rate were a
concern (Marsh, UAD
Bulletin, November 2007;
Berke, 2014). Additionally,
the FSSA showed evidence
of dissatisfaction with her
administrative policies and
management style. Through
faculty poll, they said Dr.
Ryan Commerson. Photo by D. Scott Clark.
Fernandes was
“unacceptable” and through
vote by staff and faculty, they voted “no confidence” in her (Marsh, UAD Bulletin,
November 2006). The FSSA objected that Dr. Fernandes was named provost without a
formal search for a provost and the protesters felt the hiring process was flawed as well as
unfair (Berke, 2014).
Not only that, on September 20, 2007, the Gallaudet Student Congress passed a
resolution stating that they did not recognize Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as the 9th president
of Gallaudet University (Unity for
Gallaudet, 2007). As the protest went
on, more issues began to surface. It
came to realization that the protest
became not just a protest against Dr.
Fernandes, but a battle for the future of
Gallaudet University. They questioned
where this university should embrace
the ASL/English Bilingual education
(Berke, 2014).
19
Despite the protest, the Board of Trustees continued not listening to listen.
October 13 marked a historic moment in Gallaudet history when more than 130 protesters
were arrested for civil disobedience by the 6th Street gate, the date known as "Black
Friday.” The arrest was ordered by
retiring Dr. I. King Jordan. One of
the 1988 Deaf President Now
leaders, Tim Rarus was one of the
people arrested. Shortly before Tim
was arrested, he shouted, “I helped
put you in office, now you’re
arresting me!” (Unity for Gallaudet,
2007). Trenton Marsh, a Utah
Duane Kinner’s tent
resident, stated, “It is strange that I.
King Jordan would begin and end his time as president of Gallaudet with two protests.
The Deaf President Now protest is widely celebrated all over the world as the moment
that the deaf achieved social equality. The current protest is proof that social equality did
not truly happen” (Marsh, UAD Bulletin, November 2006, p. 6).
Echoing the 1988 Deaf President Now, more than 4,000 people from around the
country marched to the Capitol Hill on October 21, 2006 (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007;
Berke, 2014).
During the protest, the students initially set up a “Tent City” on Gallaudet campus
(Berke, 2014). It eventually inspired the other states to host their “Tent City” rally to
show support for the FSSA. As for Utah, Tent City was hosted in Salt Lake City and St.
George in October 2006. Between 35-40 people ‘attended the rally at its peak’ in Salt
Lake City. Throughout the day, approximately 60 or more people came to Tent City
where the Henry C. White Educational Council sold hot dogs, chips and drinks to raise
money for FSSA. Overall, the community of Salt Lake City donated $326.00 to FSSA
(Marsh, UAD Bulletin, November 2006). Rodney W. Walker, a member of Gallaudet
College Class of 1939, was the oldest alumnus in attendance. In St. George, Ronald and
Joyanne Burdett, both with the Gallaudet College Class of 1970, were the facilitators of
20
Tent City where 14 people joined. During the rally, Joyanne explained “how Gallaudet as
the result of the Deaf President Now in 1988
has helped make a world of difference for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing everywhere in the
world” (Burdett, UAD Bulletin, November
2009). Ron then took up the floor and gave a
brief history of the Deaf President Now and
Unity for Gallaudet. Joyanne said, “It was
very touching as well as inspiring!” (Burdett,
UAD Bulletin, November 2009, p. 7). With
advanced technology available, deaf people
across the country were glued to their
Rodney W. Walker, a member of
Gallaudet College Class of 1939
computer screens: reading blogs and
watching vlogs concerning the protest events.
With ongoing protest, the Gallaudet’s board of trustees eventually recognized that
Dr. Fernandes would be unable to lead Gallaudet University effectively without the
support from the university community (Berke, 2014). On October 29, 2006, they
terminated the appointment of Dr. Fernandes (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007). The FSSA
celebrated a victory after a long, exhausting protest.
Without delay, Dr. Robert
Davila (deaf), who had prior
administration experience, was selected
as the "interim" president of Gallaudet
University in early December 2006 (he
eventually became 9th the ninth
president of this university). Stephen
Weiner was selected as the new
provost. Under Dr. Davila and Dr.
Weiner's leadership, they ‘immediately
Joyanne & Ronald Burdett, members of
Gallaudet College Class of 1970. Source: The
UAD Bulletin, Winter 1970.
21
corrected deficiencies and openly embraced bilingualism’ (Berke, 2014).
In the wake of the Unity for Gallaudet protest, the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education (MSCHE) put probationary status on Gallaudet University in June
2007. For this reason, this university was under pressure to improve academically and to
meet MSCHE standards, which included admissions, leadership, integrity, and retention
(Berke, 2014). On June 27, 2008, MSCHE reaffirmed Gallaudet's accreditation (Unity for
Gallaudet, 2007). On January 1, 2010, Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz became the 10th president of
Gallaudet University (Unity for Gallaudet, 2007).
Tent City Rally in Salt Lake City, Utah – October 14, 2006
All things considered, if it were not for the Unity for Gallaudet protest, what
would have become of Gallaudet University? As shown above, the protest has helped
improved to improve and set Gallaudet University on a much better path. Dr. Hurwitz,
dean of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology
said, “ People look up to Gallaudet University because it’s a pillar of the deaf
community.” He also added that he thought the controversy had more to do with the
selection process than a split over deaf culture” (Durr, 2011).
Overall, Gallaudet University is considered a beacon to the national Deaf
community, including the Utah Deaf community. The Deaf President Now and Unity for
22
Gallaudet protests have made enormous impact on the Deaf community. These historical
events will be forever remembered for a good cause.
23
Note
Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008.
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