Davila Criticized Media
“Q. I understand that at times you have been frustrated with the coverage of the Gallaudet situation over the past few months in the media. Could you comment on that?
A. I feel strongly about that. You are right on that point. I do believe that the media was one-dimensional in reporting on the protest issues, and I also believe that we could have reduced the amount of negative exposure by presenting a variety of various views, but that did not happen. So I really think that it wasn’t really good reporting. ”
Q. Some experts worried that if Gallaudet University gave in to the demands of the protesters about Ms. Fernandes, it would complicate their ability in the future to act — if the students wanted something in the future, they could just protest. What is your response to that concern?
A. I’m very confident that I have an insight and also the experience and the leadership skills to maintain peace and open communication, and an exchange of views and ideas on this campus, and that would prevent such a protest once again. I have had almost 35 years of administrative experience, and I think I would be able to see those issues like that coming, and I think I would be able to gauge their progress and would be able to then negotiate that and resolve that to find solutions to issues that they were creating before it got to the level of protest or boiling point. So I’m comfortable that I can do that.
To see the complete interview in Chronicle of Higher Education, click on this link: http://chronicle.com/free/2007/02/2007021303n.htm
Finally Davila had spoken about the one-side reporting of the media!!!! The choices of his words reflected his savviness as a speaker, obviously indicating his extensive experiences as an administrator.
A true leader would have kept the pulse of the community in firm contact and would have prevented deplorable conditions from festering so long and finally erupting in a protest. Davila is apparently being very sensitive to the current sharp divisions among Gallaudet Community, so let’s hope he can succeed on reunity of these groups.
Gallaudet University – Video :In this video, Davila emphasizes on the importance of teamwork. He is definitely the opposite of Jordan who gave the appearance of always focusing on himself and his accomplishments “Me Me Me” the last few years. What a refreshing change of attitudes.
Seriously so far my impressions with Davila’s performances the last few weeks have been good.  Now we need to get him to work on DPS’s poor communication and misconduct with the students over the years.
On a personal note, it is balmy 70 degrees and thundering outside here in FL. It was so nice to see my mom again. We didn’t expect her to live this long after she got a massive stroke last year. She is indeed a tough woman.
Friends grumbled about the snow storm in metro DC. Ahh, I had to miss the snow storm. Call me weird, but even though I was born and grew up in FL, I prefer snow storms and frigid weather! lol MZ
“Q. I understand that at times you have been frustrated with the coverage of the Gallaudet situation over the past few months in the media. Could you comment on that?
A. I feel strongly about that. You are right on that point. I do believe that the media was one-dimensional in reporting on the protest issues, and I also believe that we could have reduced the amount of negative exposure by presenting a variety of various views, but that did not happen. So I really think that it wasn’t really good reporting. ”
Q. Some experts worried that if Gallaudet University gave in to the demands of the protesters about Ms. Fernandes, it would complicate their ability in the future to act — if the students wanted something in the future, they could just protest. What is your response to that concern?
A. I’m very confident that I have an insight and also the experience and the leadership skills to maintain peace and open communication, and an exchange of views and ideas on this campus, and that would prevent such a protest once again. I have had almost 35 years of administrative experience, and I think I would be able to see those issues like that coming, and I think I would be able to gauge their progress and would be able to then negotiate that and resolve that to find solutions to issues that they were creating before it got to the level of protest or boiling point. So I’m comfortable that I can do that.
To see the complete interview in Chronicle of Higher Education, click on this link: http://chronicle.com/free/2007/02/2007021303n.htm
Finally Davila had spoken about the one-side reporting of the media!!!! The choices of his words reflected his savviness as a speaker, obviously indicating his extensive experiences as an administrator.
A true leader would have kept the pulse of the community in firm contact and would have prevented deplorable conditions from festering so long and finally erupting in a protest. Davila is apparently being very sensitive to the current sharp divisions among Gallaudet Community, so let’s hope he can succeed on reunity of these groups.
Gallaudet University – Video :In this video, Davila emphasizes on the importance of teamwork. He is definitely the opposite of Jordan who gave the appearance of always focusing on himself and his accomplishments “Me Me Me” the last few years. What a refreshing change of attitudes.
Seriously so far my impressions with Davila’s performances the last few weeks have been good.  Now we need to get him to work on DPS’s poor communication and misconduct with the students over the years.
On a personal note, it is balmy 70 degrees and thundering outside here in FL. It was so nice to see my mom again. We didn’t expect her to live this long after she got a massive stroke last year. She is indeed a tough woman.
Friends grumbled about the snow storm in metro DC. Ahh, I had to miss the snow storm. Call me weird, but even though I was born and grew up in FL, I prefer snow storms and frigid weather! lol MZ
February 13th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
That’s what I call leadership!
I know there are issues and I even agree with certain groups, but I know Davila is up for that – as proven the past month! Whew!
And I’m impressed with his response to the media, without resorting to personal attacks. He takes on issues – like he always say, “It’s not about me…”
I think in the long run, Gallaudet will earn respect with thanks to Dr. Davila and hopefully by the time he leaves, people are more comfortable with getting issues out on the table, instead of sweeping them under the rug and “move on” which has caused protests. I think Davila has taken the right steps in an effort to keep freedom of speech and listening in an effort to keep the issues “out and open†for everyone else to discuss ideas and solutions. I don’t think President Davila is afraid to admit mistakes and take corrective steps to fix them – again, “It’s not about him, but for Gallaudetâ€! Yes!
Let’s hear more from those concerned groups – we need to let them come out in the open and work it out together.
Kudos to Dr. Davila! And I’m anxiously awaiting to see what is finally being improved for the future of Gallaudet – education, students and faculty/staff.
Yes, please do work on DPS communication problem. That’s for the safety of Gallaudet’s students!
February 13th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Oh by the way – you are NUTS for wanting to be back in the frigging cold weather! Ugh!
I lived in Florida for two years and I don’t know what I was thinking about moving back home in the north…*slaps forehead*
Enjoy the weather and hope your mother’s doing “ok”.
February 13th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Forgive me for going OT; Where in Florida did you grow up in? Also, did you ever go to FSD as a student? Just curious here…
February 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Iam, my mother is doing alright, thanks. Yes, I’m nuts. lol
Todd, I grew up in Pensacola located far west of the panhandle section and never attended FSDB. I went to Ft. Lauderdale Oral School (defunct since mid 80′s) for several years, then hearing schools afterwards.
February 13th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Oh, yes. I remember Pensacola Beach having pure white sand, looking like snow.
I heard Ft. Lauderdale Oral School was very strict like Clark.
February 13th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Hi MZ,
First of all, please allow me to be on a light note by
saying a big hi to you. It is really good to see you baaack
at your blogsite. I cannot agree more with you. You have absolutely no idea how ecastic I was yesterday when I saw snowflakes falling on my face. Alas, it was not a blizzard, for I, an East Coaster, love big snow. It feels good when my cheeks feel cold. I love all seasons.
Now to the serious note, I commend Dr. Davila. As a president of Gallaudet, he will probably go down in history as the greatest communciator Gallaudet has ever had — possibly since Sophia Fowler the Matron in the 19th century.
I am worried FOR Dr. Davila.
It seems that there are some [people whom I call
“obstructionists” due to some political jealously who do not wish the best of luck for Dr. Davila. They are not happy that Dr. Davila replaces the unprogressive ones (the undoers or the undoable ones) with the progressive ones (the doers or the doable ones). I have made inquiries to some students and faculty members at Gallaudet. They say they have not had a good feeling until Dr. Davila came. He makes hearing parents feel at ease as well as gives them a sense of pride for having their deaf children at Gallaudet for higher learning.
Another thing that is very positive about Dr. Davila is that he makes his Sim-Com very communicable. He makes his communciation at a most reasonable rate. Come to think of it, Fernandes signs so slowly when utilizing Sim-Com. The unreasonable rate of her Sim-Com turns both hearing and deaf people off.
I am worried that Fernadnes continues making damaging comments about Gallaudet; thus, interferring with the progress at Gallaudet. She is one of THE obstructionists.
Meanwhile enjoy your stay in
the balmy Florida.
February 13th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Diane, yeah, pretty much. If a deaf kid look up the manual alphabet in the encyclopedia, that means a big spanking with a wooden paddle.
Jean, I notice the vicious note some GallyNetters have shown toward Davila the last several weeks. It’s disturbing to observe because they are not giving him time to clean up the mess.
February 13th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Hi Elizabeth, I didn’t realize that you are from Florida, lucky you!! I love Florida and would dream of having a beach house there.
Anyway, I just finished watching Bob’s vlog, wow, this is so impressive! Bob seems to be ahead of the game and that many companies are promoting this kind of thing to their customers/clients so I see that Bob is adopting this trend to Gallaudet which is good. I hope this will continue for many years to come. Bob seems so eager and excited to be Gallaudet’s president that I wonder when he leaves, he will feel very saddened. It is a job that he seems to really “cherish” and fits in there very well.
February 13th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Hi MZ
I just wanted to drop a note here because I can’t seem to find your e-mail address anywhere. I hope all’s well with you.
I agree with you about Gally-NET’s postings on Dr. Davila. I only recently got the chance to really read through them. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions, negative or not. I can only hope that through actions, Dr. Davila will prove them wrong.
Every time I watch Dr. Davila’s vlog, I cannot help but smile because I truly think Gallaudet is on the right path. I couldn’t have said the same thing in September. Many people on campus, including those who didn’t support the protest or didn’t care either way– seem to have positive feelings towards Gallaudet and its future. Let’s hope that lasts!
Peace
February 13th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
His answer to that second question is a total burn of Jordan and Fernandes. Davilla has “insight and leadership skills.” Jordan and Fernandes do not.
I love this guy!
February 14th, 2007 at 12:07 am
I cannot agree more with you.
Not only is it disturbing but it is quite taxing to read negative posts regarding Davila on GallyNet. Worse yet, more and more posts have been written under pseudoyn names. This morning I wrote in response to a poster that posters should think about consequences because any poster’s ID number can very easily be traceable. Should anyone write anything libelous or slanderous, a poster under a pseudo name would be in deep trouble. But but but GallyNet has not posted my message on the list. It is obvious that the administrator and his moderators are in a deep sense of embarrassment about my mentioning of the identity traceability of a poster throdugh ID number. GallyNet
has not even notified me whether they are rejecting my message either.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Davila is beyond savvy. He’s the Mr. Cool of Communication…The Sultan of Semiotics…The Björn Borg of Implication… and the Michael Jordan of Negotiation.
In other words, he’s an OK guy.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Good Morning and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all,
The title of MZ’s blog as of yesterday caught my attention. I am leaping with joy and hands waving for the Deaf community and President Davila and hands clapping for the Hearing community.
About time that Dr. Davila spoke out in regards to the media issue. We really need him as the new 9th president of GU to clean up the mess that Dr. King and Dr. Fernandes left with at GU. I believe 100 percent that Dr. Davila will lead the University in the best direction with positive outlook for the next months as the 9th GU President. I believe 200 percent that the university’s staff, faculty, and students will turn out fine and great without any penalities towards to their speaking out for what they believed in and for their rights as an individual. I am praying and hoping that the Clerc Center will drop their considerations the fines or penalities toward these workers involved in the GU’s protests during May and October months.
Have a blessed Valentine’s Day. Stay warm and don’t break any bones as I heard it did snow some yesterday there and some places being icy as well.
Cheers,
MsKatrina
February 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
My bad. My e mail contact is Mishkazena@aol.com. I keep forgetting to insert it in new posts.
Jean, I’ll plan to post a blog on GallyNet. It has become dangerous.. inciting a new protest? Like we need another protest? Oh, puhleeze!
For a man taking a break from his retirement, Davila is definitely very progressive! Whoever said an old dog cannot learn new tricks obviously doesn’t know what the heck he’s talking about! lol
February 18th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
After reading these comments, I must say I agree with MZ’s last comment in regards to Dr. Davila.
Dr. Davila has already proved that he is moving Gallaudet into it’s positive direction for the present and future’s leaders.
From what I have been reading and seeing what’s going on the campus. Dr. Davila’s heart does belong to Gallaudet with no question!
Have a productive week. Stay warm.
Cheers,
Ms.Katrina
June 17th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Katrina,
I went to Ft. Lauderdale Oral School, too. Please go to my website – you will find photos there.
Bob Webb