Reprisals Still On
The BoT has informed Gallaudet student leaders informally that the reprisals will be ongoing. Remember how uncertain Pam Holmes was regarding BoT’s authority to override any decision made by Jordan. We all know how vengeful Jordan has been toward those who dared to defy him. Contrary to BoT’s understanding last Oct that the reprisals would be proportionate to the offense (such as for example community service), Jordan mandated that both students and staff lose their jobs and internships, as well as the automatic suspension of students’s paralegal jobs on campus, i.e. residential advisors, peer advisors, activity center advisors, and so on. His defiance was made apparent when Holmes revealed BoT had instructed Jordan to freeze reprisals two weeks ago, yet he failed to inform the community of BoT’s instructions. Holmes appeared to be taken aback when she realized that the Gallaudet Community wasn’t even aware of the recent order.
We need to be mindful that it is very likely BoT was not fully appraised of developments that have occurred since last October. They weren’t aware that reprisals were taking place right after Black Friday, and are ongoing since students are not being paid while on probation. The president’s office had been filtering information between the BoT and its stakeholders. They may have been too preoccupied with the selection of the Interim president, with no time to explore the issue of reprisals. As stated in the bylaws, Jordan was entitled to sit with the BoT last weekend. Did he? I honestly don’t know, but if he did, he may have exerted undue pressure on BoT regarding reprisals. In any case, this is a disappointment.
Since students and staff haven’t been granted amnesty from reprisals, which was the second demand of the protest, the protest is still on. Personally I am at a loss. Is the BoT deliberately ignoring the e-mails from G.U. constituents? As required in the bylaws, BoT is to receive information solely through the president’s office. Surely they know by now this system isn’t working.
We are seeing further proof that Gallaudet has been heading toward destruction: the failing grade of PART, and, once the accreditation agency realized that Gallaudet lacks shared governance and an atmosphere promoting academic freedom,, now its accreditation is in serious jeopardy. What would have happened if those courageous students and staff hadn’t protested the flawed PSC and the inept leadership of Fernandes?
In addition, some demoralized students are deciding not to return in January, a decision that would cost Gallaudet half the $45,000 it is granted for each student per year. Some students are burdened with bills they are unable to pay off due to their dismissals and suspensions, so they are not coming back, either. Faced already with dwindling enrollment the past few years, can Gallaudet afford to lose yet more students?  Think about it, fewer students would result in fewer staff and faculty members. These student will tell their peers Gallaudet is in a big mess and that they are better off going to other universities. Why is Jordan permitted to carry out his vengeance, when it will eventually hurt Gallaudet the most?
As long as there is no amnesty for the protesters, there can be no healing.
We need to stand up and demand justice for the brave warriors who fought to save Gallaudet.
 elizabeth
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
I’ll start adding a link for fun once in a while. I am not always so serious 
Here is a link to beautiful photographs:
http://www.funpic.hu/funblog.click.php?id=1225&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funpic.hu%2Ffunblog%2Fsunset%2Fsunset.html&en=1&PHPSESSID=d9f15ae43eb923c4b07f787d193d9eab Hat tip to VIC who is always sending me good jokes 
The BoT has informed Gallaudet student leaders informally that the reprisals will be ongoing. Remember how uncertain Pam Holmes was regarding BoT’s authority to override any decision made by Jordan. We all know how vengeful Jordan has been toward those who dared to defy him. Contrary to BoT’s understanding last Oct that the reprisals would be proportionate to the offense (such as for example community service), Jordan mandated that both students and staff lose their jobs and internships, as well as the automatic suspension of students’s paralegal jobs on campus, i.e. residential advisors, peer advisors, activity center advisors, and so on. His defiance was made apparent when Holmes revealed BoT had instructed Jordan to freeze reprisals two weeks ago, yet he failed to inform the community of BoT’s instructions. Holmes appeared to be taken aback when she realized that the Gallaudet Community wasn’t even aware of the recent order.
We need to be mindful that it is very likely BoT was not fully appraised of developments that have occurred since last October. They weren’t aware that reprisals were taking place right after Black Friday, and are ongoing since students are not being paid while on probation. The president’s office had been filtering information between the BoT and its stakeholders. They may have been too preoccupied with the selection of the Interim president, with no time to explore the issue of reprisals. As stated in the bylaws, Jordan was entitled to sit with the BoT last weekend. Did he? I honestly don’t know, but if he did, he may have exerted undue pressure on BoT regarding reprisals. In any case, this is a disappointment.
Since students and staff haven’t been granted amnesty from reprisals, which was the second demand of the protest, the protest is still on. Personally I am at a loss. Is the BoT deliberately ignoring the e-mails from G.U. constituents? As required in the bylaws, BoT is to receive information solely through the president’s office. Surely they know by now this system isn’t working.
We are seeing further proof that Gallaudet has been heading toward destruction: the failing grade of PART, and, once the accreditation agency realized that Gallaudet lacks shared governance and an atmosphere promoting academic freedom,, now its accreditation is in serious jeopardy. What would have happened if those courageous students and staff hadn’t protested the flawed PSC and the inept leadership of Fernandes?
In addition, some demoralized students are deciding not to return in January, a decision that would cost Gallaudet half the $45,000 it is granted for each student per year. Some students are burdened with bills they are unable to pay off due to their dismissals and suspensions, so they are not coming back, either. Faced already with dwindling enrollment the past few years, can Gallaudet afford to lose yet more students?  Think about it, fewer students would result in fewer staff and faculty members. These student will tell their peers Gallaudet is in a big mess and that they are better off going to other universities. Why is Jordan permitted to carry out his vengeance, when it will eventually hurt Gallaudet the most?
As long as there is no amnesty for the protesters, there can be no healing.
We need to stand up and demand justice for the brave warriors who fought to save Gallaudet.
 elizabeth
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
I’ll start adding a link for fun once in a while. I am not always so serious
Here is a link to beautiful photographs:
http://www.funpic.hu/funblog.click.php?id=1225&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funpic.hu%2Ffunblog%2Fsunset%2Fsunset.html&en=1&PHPSESSID=d9f15ae43eb923c4b07f787d193d9eab Hat tip to VIC who is always sending me good jokes
December 13th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
I recalled a conversation I had with Jerald Jordan (JJ) who was an avid supporter of IKJ’s presidential candidacy back in 1988. He told me that IKJ must act within his heart. It has become clear and obvious that these students were not within his heart. JKF was, is, and will always be within his heart; hence, he does nothing about what is not within his heart. After all, JJ was right back in 1988.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I’m not surprised. Hell, since I heard about the accrediation problems, the mess at Gallaudet, I’m rethinking about applying for graduate program at Gallaudet for next fall. I’m looking at NYU, WSU, CSUN and BU. I do not want to risk going to Gallaudet University next fall, not knowing if the accrediation would continue or be denied. It’s hard enough to convince the VR to work with me about out-of-state universities; the VR counselors are having a closer eye at the Galluadet University from what some VR counselors told me.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
It is really SAD for the Deaf World. 135 Deaf people may face some difficult roads just because of one person. There are possible that we are losing potential deaf leaders, deaf presidents, deaf teachers, deaf enterpreurs, etc just because of one person. There are possible that they are leaving the campus and finish the degrees from other colleges/universities. They were fighting against audism and bad leaders. They should not get that consequences. BOTS, please reconsider your decision again. Thanks, Albert
December 13th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Carl, you are right about Jordan not having the best interests of Gallaudet in heart, not at all this year.
Wolfer, you are not the only person to say that. Several people told me they decided not to go to Gallaudet and that was BEFORE the accrediation problems appeared.
Albert, It is not just the arrested students, but also some of the assaulted students who are thinking of leaving. They don’t feel safe on campus. What they told me is that they will be treated better at other universities. What can I say to them? The loss of revenues may be tremendous, especially when one thinks how many potential students are turned off by the ‘Not Deaf Enough’ mantra. Guess who promoted “N.D.E.” endlessly to this day? Fernandes, Jordan, and PR Dept. What a mess.