Davila’s Presidency Extended to Dec, 2009
From the Board of Trustees:
Dear Campus Community,
On behalf of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce that the Board has decided in principle to extend the contract of Dr. Robert Davila as president, and he has agreed to continue his service to Gallaudet University. Although the Board will follow the best practices by working with the chief executive officer of the institution, which requires further discussion as to details of this extension, the Board recognizes Dr. Davila’s extraordinary leadership over the past nine months and would like him to continue through December 2009.
The Board made its decision because Dr. Davila has brought all stakeholders together in meeting the challenges facing Gallaudet University, as well as introducing an exciting new vision for the future with his Team Gallaudet. The Board is confident of Dr. Davila’s abilities and impressed by his performance. The contract extension will allow Dr. Davila and Team Gallaudet to resolve some of the current issues, especially those of our accreditation, before Gallaudet University undertakes another presidential search.
The Task Force to Review the 2006 Presidential Search (TFRPS) has begun its work of studying the 2006 Presidential Search and the Interim Presidential Search Advisory Committee (IPSAC) process. Its report to the Board is expected by November 20. The Board expects to use the Task Force report as it develops its own report on these matters for submission to Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is due December 1, 2007. The Board will study the Task Force report as it designs the next presidential search, and it will engage with the many constituencies of Gallaudet University as it does so.
All of us on the Board of Trustees look forward to working with Dr. Davila through December 2009.
Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Soukup Chair
hat tip to Tony.
Commentary: I’ve heard about this extension few weeks ago, but as usual, I waited for official confirmation first. The accreditation status needs to be restored to good standing first before a new presidential search can be started. A committee was recently established to review the first presidential search process as noted above, and that data gathered from the review is necessary to ensure that the second presidential search go smoothly.Â
I’ve talked with students during the Homecoming Day last Saturday. All said that Davila had been working extremely hard.  Nevertheless, he kept his door open for students and listened to their concerns. They felt he put their welfare to the top of his priorities.  I’ve noticed the high morale among the students. That was a refreshing change from the last time I was here last Fall. Keep up with good work, Davila. 
MZ
From the Board of Trustees:
Dear Campus Community,
On behalf of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce that the Board has decided in principle to extend the contract of Dr. Robert Davila as president, and he has agreed to continue his service to Gallaudet University. Although the Board will follow the best practices by working with the chief executive officer of the institution, which requires further discussion as to details of this extension, the Board recognizes Dr. Davila’s extraordinary leadership over the past nine months and would like him to continue through December 2009.
The Board made its decision because Dr. Davila has brought all stakeholders together in meeting the challenges facing Gallaudet University, as well as introducing an exciting new vision for the future with his Team Gallaudet. The Board is confident of Dr. Davila’s abilities and impressed by his performance. The contract extension will allow Dr. Davila and Team Gallaudet to resolve some of the current issues, especially those of our accreditation, before Gallaudet University undertakes another presidential search.
The Task Force to Review the 2006 Presidential Search (TFRPS) has begun its work of studying the 2006 Presidential Search and the Interim Presidential Search Advisory Committee (IPSAC) process. Its report to the Board is expected by November 20. The Board expects to use the Task Force report as it develops its own report on these matters for submission to Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is due December 1, 2007. The Board will study the Task Force report as it designs the next presidential search, and it will engage with the many constituencies of Gallaudet University as it does so.
All of us on the Board of Trustees look forward to working with Dr. Davila through December 2009.
Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Soukup Chair
hat tip to Tony.
Commentary: I’ve heard about this extension few weeks ago, but as usual, I waited for official confirmation first. The accreditation status needs to be restored to good standing first before a new presidential search can be started. A committee was recently established to review the first presidential search process as noted above, and that data gathered from the review is necessary to ensure that the second presidential search go smoothly.Â
I’ve talked with students during the Homecoming Day last Saturday. All said that Davila had been working extremely hard.  Nevertheless, he kept his door open for students and listened to their concerns. They felt he put their welfare to the top of his priorities.  I’ve noticed the high morale among the students. That was a refreshing change from the last time I was here last Fall. Keep up with good work, Davila. MZ
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
That’s a relief. One cannot be the CEO of a corporation and turn it around in just 18 months especially when MSCHE certification is included in the long list of tasks. Three years is more reasonable and I congratulate Dr. Davila as well as sending him heartfelt best wishes in his work. You go, Bob Davila! Keep on including all voices!
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:41 pm
What I am concerned about is…
Why did Davila remove his “interim” label?
And his term, will it be extended any further? Will he eventually become a “permanent” president?
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I reckon that due to the financial crisis that Gallaudet is facing with all the new buildings, BOTs could not concentrate with other things that are not priorities.
That is my 2 cents.
White Ghost
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Interim or not. Who cares!!! Davila’s the man. I pulled for him in 1988 when I was a student on Kendall Green but many of you deaf and dumb people were naive believing in IKJ. I cringed when seeing “DEAF POWER” said in ASL and written on signs. I knew IKJ was just grinning and bearing it. That lame apologist didn’t want Gallaudet presidency in the first place. :::chuckling at this and that irony:::
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Davila was born on July 19, 1932 which makes him 75 years old. The tasks facing him are exceptionally challenging, with very high stakes. The current schedule is already grueling. This cannot be easy for someone at that age.
If I am to make a guess, I would think an extension means a big sacrifice on his and his wife’s part, postponing his second retirement. He is working hard to save Gallaudet, when he doesn’t have to. An average 75 years old person would rather be enjoying retirement, golfing, traveling, and taking it easy. Davila’s dedication to Gallaudet is admirable.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Dianrez, he’s an old man. Give him a great job. He doesn’t want a permament job anyway!
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I have a HUGE admiration and respect for someone like Dr. Davila who is doing this purely out of his heart and soul. Very selfless and putting the welfare of the university’s health above everything.
At the end of his term, he would have accomplished so much for Gallaudet in a short time that the previous administration have failed miserably.
October 24th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Maybe it is because you are old at heart while
Davila is young at heart. I know some people who
cannot play tennis because they feel 70 or 80 at heart when they actually are 40ish!
Aside from above, you are definitely a man or a
woman full of -isms, including ageism. Shame on
you for being discriminatory about ageism.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Way to go BOB DAVILA.. NOBODY WILL LIKE HIM AS PREZ OF GALLY..
JKF WILL RUN PREZ OF GALLY AGAIN…
October 30th, 2007 at 11:44 am
im check about mishka zena work in galveston tx as obgyn. i m from austin i just moved to houston area couple months ago since april… please give me a number or email thank u
November 6th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
umm, sure, in your dreams. It’s not gonna happen in real life. Wake up and smell the coffee, Jose
Melissa, my e mail addy is mishkazena@aol.com
November 12th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hi Folks,
When I learned about the Board of Trustees extending Dr. Davila’s presidency to December 2009. I was really thrilled because I felt that 18 months is not enough for him to try make some more changes at Gallaudet. It requires more than 18 months to complete some tasks that he is working very hard with his team and the rest of the community.
Umm, I did get a chance to meet him personally last February. I was really impressed with who he is. He is a perfect person who does fit as Gallaudet’s 9th president. (this is just to make a compliment that he is just a perfect person. Due to his heart for Gallaudet and his willingness to contribute his talents and time)
Oh, to clarify being perfect does not mean making no mistakes. We all do make mistakes sometimes since we are human beings. (smile)
Best wishes,
Ms. Katrina
December 4th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
AH AH I KNOW DR DAVILLA IS VERY GOOD SINCE OUR SCHOOL IN MSSD AND UNTIL DEC 2009 REALLY I WISH DR DAVILLA STAY THERE UNTIL VERY OLD RUNNING LONG TIMES CAUSE HE IS BEST PERSON EVER I HAD MET HIM AND LOOK HIM. BUT I AM VERY PROUD OF DR DAVILLA IS RUNNING PRESDENT GALLAUDET U AND SHOW US ABOUT VEIDO ON VLOG OR BLOG TALK ABOUT GALLUADET U EVENTS AND ETC WILL INFLUNCE GOOD EDUCATION GALLUADET U AND MSSD AND KENDALL NUMBER ONE IN WORLD EVER I HEAR LOTS ABOUT GALLUADET U NEWS WILL BE VERY STRONGEST DEAF COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON D.C AND I HOPE I GUESS WHICH PRESENT OR LATER DR DAVILLA MIGHT WORK OUTSIDE DEAF USA COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT ETC. IF HE DECIDE RETIRED DEC 2009 THEN I WILL BE MISS HIM LOTS OF HIS SMILE FACE AND TALK ABOUT EDUCATION ON VEIDO AND BEST REMEMBER HIM. GOOD LUCK BY ALAN JEFFERS CLASS OF 85 MSSD