Hlibok: I Relayed In Good Faith
Stephen responded to my e-mail this am regarding his role as the messenger and this is what he has to say:
Elizabeth
You said it correctly, I relayed in good faith. I’m surprised and disappointed about the reprisals. Its so difficult to get answers clear under IKJ’s administration.
Stephen Hlibok
Reprinted with permission by Hlibok.
This is in response to the vlog of Stephen Hlibok relaying what Carl Pramuk said in the BoT meeting . You can see the vlog in this link http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/15/vlog-proof-pramuk-lied/
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Update: No personal smears nor personal attacks against private deaf individuals are tolerated in this blog. Factual information is acceptable. Let’s not practice crab theory, please. Thanks. elizabeth
Stephen responded to my e-mail this am regarding his role as the messenger and this is what he has to say:
Elizabeth
You said it correctly, I relayed in good faith. I’m surprised and disappointed about the reprisals. Its so difficult to get answers clear under IKJ’s administration.
Stephen Hlibok
Reprinted with permission by Hlibok.
This is in response to the vlog of Stephen Hlibok relaying what Carl Pramuk said in the BoT meeting . You can see the vlog in this link http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/15/vlog-proof-pramuk-lied/
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Update: No personal smears nor personal attacks against private deaf individuals are tolerated in this blog. Factual information is acceptable. Let’s not practice crab theory, please. Thanks. elizabeth
December 18th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Thanks for setting this straight, Stephen!
I’m sorry you were put in a sore spot.
If only BoT would be quick to step up on the plate and explained what the heck is really going on.
I don’t think they can afford waiting until next month when they would return (according to Ron at savegallaudet.com).
They’ve got to explain in person AND get IKJ to explain in person too – he’s got what, four days left?
I don’t see why not have him and his admin to explain in person so they can answer all questions.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Do you know when they will return?
December 18th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
No, I don’t…Ron said in one of his videos that they were coming back (I thought he said next month? Jan? I could be wrong) He was saying how impressed he was with how involved they were. Something to that extend, anyway.
I’d have to look at his videos again – I can’t remember which one.
I hate IE browsers – but it’s the only browser that would work with his videos.
Hopefully someone else can answer that question for you, MZ.
December 18th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
I could imagine how disappointing it must be to realize the IKJ administration was instrumental in discrediting not only Deaf people, but also ASL and Deaf Culture. I am sorry it happened but we need to realize that we cannot navigate the fast-moving ship around that quickly.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
I am puzzled about the reprisals occurred this time, but still in control at the Jordan administration. I believe the reprisals will be thrown out directly into trash by the Davila administration, I hope it will come true.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Well, let’s hope that Davila gets to the bottom of this; this is ridiculous.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Thanks Stephen. Be careful next time. I don’t know if anyone would do better. Bot used you to maniplate the ongoing mess. We have to confront Pam Holmes. She is the chairperson. Why did not she make the announcement herself? Is she hiding too? If so, we don’t need her. We need a good leader who will inform the community in good faith. so far… NONE!!! 4 days to see jordan go? I won’t believe until I see it for myself.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Thanks Stephen. Be careful next time. We cant hug the bots.. or thank until we see it ourselves. I don’t know if anyone would do better. Bot used you to maniplate the ongoing mess. We have to confront Pam Holmes. She is the chairperson. Why did not she make the announcement herself? Is she hiding too? If so, we don’t need her. We need a good leader who will inform the community in good faith. so far… NONE!!! 4 days to see jordan go? I won’t believe until I see it for myself.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Stephen Hlibok? I know him somewhat well.  He should not play as a messenger between BOT and the deaf community, period.Â
December 18th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Davila can do something, but you see, the students have already suffered for roughly two months, no pay from the fired jobs and jobs put on probation. Lost experience because they were fired from internships.
All of these weren’t supposed to happen without the trial. BoT didn’t know about them back then. I still don’t know if BoT are aware today that these already happened.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
If you read Davila’s interview transcript, you will see that he made it clear that he only takes orders from BOTS and that per policy he cannot tell BOTS what to do. I doubt Davila will do much. This is Irving BOTS and even though IKJ is leaving, he will somehow still be in control. That is just my opinion.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
I honestly do not think that Carl Pramuk handled correctly. He should have talked straight with the press and people on his own, not Stephen Hlibok.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I am lost. Who sent Stephen Hlibok all the way to Washington to relay what Carl Pramuk had said. Unless a person was president of the Student Body Government, any protester would not have relayed or spoken on behalf of Carl Pramuk — or of I. King Jordan, for that matter.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Stephen, when I saw you relaying message, I know your good intention with no question.
It is more appropriate for the Chair of Board to relay BoT’s decision and announcements. Use a letterhead and vlog on the internet from now and on and do not ask anyone else.
Anne Marie
December 18th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Be careful Stephen, do not let them use you as a scapegoat. Let Carl Pramuk make the offical statement so we can address our concerns to him directly. This is a time for caution and everyone is walking on eggshells now. You are a good man, Stephen.
December 18th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Hi MZ. Yes G, agreed and I read that Davila can do nothing about it as well. I agree with u Patti, despite his good intentions, he was played – used a pawn. That ijk’s bot for ya. They could censor reprisals asap they but chose not to, but instead, act like deer in headlights. It’s getting old.
December 18th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
G, yes, Davila had made it clear it was entirely up to BoT to decide what reprisals would be.
Jean, I think Steve Hlibok was already outside the BoT meeting. Carl or someone from BoT handling this should have taken the time to speak to the stakeholders, but for whatever reasons, they didn’t. Instead, they used someone outside to relay the information, which was very odd. Why did they do something that’s not in the protocols?
December 18th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Knowing Stephen Hlibok and the entire clan from New York, he is a man with integrity and I would believe him. It is a shame they would try to use his reputation to deceive the public. Thanks for checking with him to get his side.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
G:
What concerns me is if what you said that Davila takes orders from the Board of Trustees is true, does it mean the very Board of Trustees will still be controlled by IKJ even after he steps down? God forbids otherwise healing will never materialize.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
President chooses members of BoT. But I may be wrong, I did read somewhere about a month ago that selection of BoT members will be done collectively from now and on?
If president still has the ability to select members, Davila certainly can do it and I would strongly support it for optimal healing.
Davila won’t want Ken Levinson to remain on the board.
Anne Marie
December 18th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Katherine, there’s no way IKJ can control the Board after January 2007. We must always remember that Davila is an interim president for 18 months with a possibility for extra six months added to the appointment. He is to report to the Board all activities he’s going to undertake. It was my understanding that Davila’s function will be to bring Gallaudet University back up to par with emphasis that ASL research be rekindled to take up leadership in linguistics of the Deaf across the nation and around the world. Davila intends to fulfill his temporary goals when he retires in two years so that the next president could entertain renewed Gallaudet University. We can help shape our beloved university.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
I may have missed out the information but I would like to know how Stephen Hlibok became the messager”, was he asked by the BOTs to come out and talk to the protestors or what? It sounds like he was put out in the front to deliver the message when it could have been one of the BOT members who could easily come out and make the annoucements.
December 18th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
I remember Steve from Gallaudet days…he is man of word and I have high respect for him! I am sorry that they abused him.
Like I said months ago, REMOVE SOME BOARD MEMBERS who perpetuated the problem for six to seven months.
I would like to see those board members who screwed up everything…such as Levinson, Graham and others OUT!
I rather keep a few such as Soukup and others to be sure they are standing on Deaf culture side.
Geez whiz! It is not healing when we have some same board members who continue to stick their heads in ground!
December 18th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Everybody,
Remember that reality is more powerful than lies and obfuscations.
Jordan is now beginning to face *reality*–and that reality is that he will not be president and will not be able to make day-to-day decisions involving $148 million. His puppet will not be president either.
That means he will be a political eunuch and his influence will decrease everyday. Board members will suddenly realize: “Why should I pay attention to him?”
Very quickly Jordan will have no influence at all.
December 19th, 2006 at 12:22 am
JKF for president after Davila, Carl Shroeder.
December 19th, 2006 at 1:53 am
Deaf Mommy, that’s a good question. He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask him.
About BoT, I hear there may be few people whose term end next spring, unless they get renewals.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:34 am
Dr. Davila said on an online interview (Washingotn Post)
that he has no authority with the BoT. Is it because of his status as ” INTERIM” president that does not allow him to exercise the power over or control the BoT that Jordan has enjoyed controlling for 19 years?
Just my two francs.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:53 am
The President never had any official power over the BoT. The President has a “seat†on the Board, but no vote.
However, the President can try to sway Board members. If the President uses good logic and persuasive arguments, that’s a good thing. However, Jordan played all kinds of power games and manipulated the Board. That’s not healthy. Look what happened!
Yes, there will be 4 deaf members of the Board being replaced this Spring, due to term limits running out. My theory all along has been that Jordan attempted to put JK in before those 4 had to leave. One of the 4 leaving is Bill Graham, the Secretary–one of Jordan’s key contacts.
December 19th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Brian, who are the oter three deaf members who’ll be leaving?
December 19th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Chuck Williams, Ken Levinson are 2
December 19th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Brian,
[1] Who has the authority to appoint people as members of the BoT? It is my understanding that Ken Levinson has been on the Board for the last 16 years.
[2] Jane Kelleher Fernandes told on an online interview of The Washington Post in May that she had Jordan as one of the references in her letter of application. The interviewer was somewhat “surprised”. The rest is history.
December 19th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Wow, Jean.. a good one #2. You certainly have patience to read everything. I read only few paragraphes and lost my interest.
# 1, I am still not 100% clear what role an interim president will have with the BoT? I kept on seeing that BoT was “handpicked” then later I read that selection would be done collectively from now and on. I believe it is in the writing that will stand and I do not know what is in it.
Anne Marie
December 19th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Levinson has been there a long time. In fact, he has already outlasted the proper term-limits and the Board had to vote to make special extensions to his tenure (and also to Bill Graham’s and other members).
There are four deaf members of the Board that must leave in the spring due to the bylaws and term limits. Bill Graham is the chair of the committee to look for new members.
New members are simply accepted by the entire Board voting. The President of Gallaudet never is allowed to vote, although he is allowed to discuss the issues with the Board. He has a “seat” on the Board, but not a vote.