Behind on posts

Hi all,

Due to the amazingly high volume of submissions, the site manager has become behind in posting thoughts, pictures, and so forth.

We humbly apologize to anyone who may have felt excluded or ignored. This was not our intent. The intent behind this site is to reflect the thoughts and experiences of individuals in the Bay Area who generally support(ed?) the FSSA's two demands. This is an amazing community that is positively bubbling over and teeming with ideas and contributions (we are so fortunate!), with a wide variety of people, coming from different ethnic backgrounds, from different families, from different educational settings, different communication modes, and so on. All deserve a "voice" on this site, and we eagerly want to include everyone who supports the FSSA's two demands.

If you submitted something and wondered why it was not submitted, the reason is probably the backlog. Please go ahead and e-mail us with the submission, date of original submission, and let us know you wanted this posted. We will very likely submit it, and if not, there will be a darn good reason - and we will let you know. Please go ahead and get in touch - we're open.

Henceforth, submissions/posts will be prioritized in the following order:
1. Current items (to prevent the backlog from getting worse)
2. Posts/items from people who got in touch, requesting submission
3. Everything else (no promises, but we will certainly try!)

If you have any questions or concerns, please do get in touch - don't be afraid.

How many of us felt on Sunday...

No matter what side we've been on, many of us have simply been consumed by this protest. When it ended, we heaved a collective sigh of relief, and we got our lives back. Another quick sketch, done Sunday night... enjoy.

A night of celebrations!!!

Wow! What an afternoon/evening!!! Pagers managed to survive the constant buzzing and vibrating as people paged everyone in their address book to share the incredible news and the constant forwarding of the 4 press releases!!! Impromptu celebrations sprang up all over the Bay Area and beyond. Pages of celebration and gratitude poured in from Kendall Green.

We realize the situation is far from resolved. For starters, we need to ensure:
*no unreasonable reprisals for all involved
*we are satisfied with the interim president or with the plan from now until the new final president is installed
*the presidential selection process is appropriate
*an appropriate permanent provost is selected
*appropriate people represent us on the Board of Trustees
*GUAA separates from Gallaudet and becomes strong
*our local GUAA chapter becomes strong
....and more.

But tonight is for celebration!!!
Stay tuned for pictures, thoughts, and comments from our local community!!! (but not tonight! I'm a-celebratin', just like y'all!!!!!)
*bear hugs* to everyone! Wa-hooooooooooooooooooo!

Mediation is NOT ACCEPTABLE - TELL BOT NOW!

We got this upsetting message that the Board of Trustees may simply require both sides to enter mediation. This means they may NOT make a decision nor take ANY action. This is simply unacceptable.

Please contact the BoT NOW and tell them mediation is UNACCEPTABLE and we expect them to take action by removing Fernandes or issuing a statement that they will not support Fernandes or something rather than mediation. The community cannot endure much more of this, and I fear for what will happen if they leave town, just having required mediation.

Contact info is below the message letting us know of this possible strategy.

Subject: Possible board strategy
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:00:01 -0700
Am on capitol hill. It seemsa as if the tactic that the BOT will put mediation on table and leave town without action. I just spoke to our congressman pete stark's office and we still need to put pressure on them. Brugerman saw him yesterday and I feel that Pete Stark's office needs to advocate for us. Starving students can't wait
More later.

Contact Info
These are Trustees' e-mail addresses. Detailed contact info can be found here.
brueggemann.1@osu.edu
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us
sjsuz@aol.com
thumphries@ucsd.edu
frankhwu@wayne.edu
bsoukup@c-s-d.org
hgoodstein@cox.net
cheppner@nvrc.org
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov
lrkinney@wi.rr.com
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu

CC these people:
provost@gallaudet.edu
president@nad.org
andylange@juno.com
supportusgally@gmail.com

From a hearing ally

There’ s an ill wind blowing, and it’ s making me sick ...

There’s a cold wind blowing in California tonight. Do you feel it?

Is it Fall coming to intrude on our 80 degree, sunny, Fremont, California weather? Partly. Is it the fog settling in from our beautiful bay? Maybe. But the wind I feel is not a breeze that tickles the skin. It is an ill wind blowing from the East - a wind carrying messages that freeze the heart, chill the blood, and gnaw at the bone marrow. It rides in on shaky video, paged messages from children to their parents, and web-linked pleas for support. It manifests itself in the teary eyes of a mother recently informed that her son was purposely hit by a truck today. It reveals itself in the choice of media made by the "next President of Gallaudet University" when she used a radio program to advertise her intentions. Ultimately, it whirls around the term "new order."

There exist many historical uses of the term "new order."

Governments - including the current American administration - have used it. Religious groups have and do use it. It is used by groups as varied as Christian churches, avowed followers of the occult, business consultants, and civil rights groups. So, why did I feel an icy tightening in my chest when I read that Jane Fernandes used it?

While sitting on my couch watching the history channel, a realization struck that made me gasp for air. The winds created by the term New Order have raged against the Deaf community before. It was the term used by Adolf Hitler to represent his sterilization and extermination plan. The outward manifestations of this term have devastated the lives and legacies of students, friends, and families that I love and respect.

Now, I would never accuse Dr. Fernandes or Dr. Jordan of being Nazis or consciously borrowing their terminology. I believe that this comparison is used far too often in off-handed ways. When I see the holocaust tossed around metaphorically, I feel pain for the actual victims of those terrible times.

Still, there is a shudder crawling up my spine. And breathing feels uncomfortable. And my spirits feel chilled by harsh winds from the East. For you, Jane Fernandes, label my former students and fellow educators terrorists. And you, Dr. Jordan, allow heavy machinery to face off against the best and brightest of my most beloved students. And your public relations office continues to downplay the very real physical and emotional injuries your particular version of the New Order has inflicted on the children of my cherished friends

The stench from the garbage dumped on the protestors today has crossed the country on the gusts of wind created by your inability to open a true dialogue. It circles my nose and lands heavily on my heart. I am left with no choice but to warm myself in the flames of protest.

Laura Peterson
Fremont, California

Current Wave of Bay Areans in DC

These people are in D.C. or arriving in D.C. soon:
Jim Brune
Bridgetta Bourne-Firl
"JAC" Cook
Robin Horwitz
Sylvia Wood
Michele Berke
Tom Holcomb & son, Troy
Bob Morrison
Lin Grossinger
Cheryl Boyd
Hank Klopping
Michael Mac Aulay
Arianne Kassel

Successful Meeting With Lynn Woolsey!!!

Four Community Representatives' meeting earlier today with
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

October 26, 2006

To Anyone and Everyone who is concerned about the Gallaudet situation:

Four community representatives from the Bay Area met with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (Democrat from the Santa Rosa area in CA) who is also on the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees today.

We were happy that Woolsey made herself available for this meeting rather than appoint one of her staff to meet with us.

The meeting lasted about 25 minutes and she provided us with opportunities to share our thoughts and concerns.

She is aware of what has been going on at Gallaudet and she has been involved in conversations and discussions since May with different constituents: parents, students, alumni, etc. She mentioned that a group was meeting with her staff at the DC office. She also said she has been doing "outreach" - but couldn't share more details. She said it was confidential.

Woolsey *is* planning to attend the BOT meeting on Sunday. We told her we were thrilled to hear that because we felt that it was important that she attend.

We told her we were meeting with her because we wanted her *direct* involvement in the BOT and what's happening at Gallaudet. We stated that we wanted her direct involvement for two primary reasons: 1. we are very concerned about the safety of our students, especially in light of the bulldozing incident yesterday morning. 2. there is a leadership crisis happening right now at Gallaudet. The situation has been escalating since May to its current boiling point and the BOT has not stepped to firmly bring this situation to a resolution.

Woolsey felt strongly that the situation must stop now - and that she did not want to see any more injuries to the students. The situation has gotten the attention of Congress and she does not want to see it have an impact on the funding for Gallaudet.

She asked us why we thought Jane Fernandes was not a good choice for the provost position 6 years ago. We shared with her some specifics about what had happened at the Clerc Center during Fernandes' tenure: enrollment declined, students were taken out and sent to other schools, staff's tenure were taken away from them, and the faculty organization was disbanded.

She then said that she wasn't interested in how we got to this point
(meaning that, she wasn't interested in knowing what Jane said or what Jane did). she wanted to know what we could do from this point going forward to bring a resolution to this situation.

We stated clearly the FSSA's 2 demands: 1. to re-open the search process, which would require Jane Fernandes to resign and 2. no reprisals. Woolsey said she wanted to add one more thing to the demands - that there needs to be a process for reconciliation. She suggested that we bring in an outside mediator. We then mentioned to her that outside mediators have already offered their services: NAD and Mr. Imperator from American Association of People with Disabilities. Those offers were declined by the Jordan administration. When we firmly stated FSSA's demands, Woolsey didn't question or challenge those demands.

Woolsey overall was very positive about Gallaudet and Gallaudet's role in the world. She said that if we couldn't find peace within our own community, then how can we find peace in the world?

The meeting then ended (earlier than we would have liked to). We left with her a folder that included Professor Bob Johnson's 17 page treatise..a sampling of about 10 Open Letters written by parents, GUAA, former/current professors, professionals in the field, etc. as well as one page of the PART report, the faculty's response to the PART report and graphs showing the student and faculty's polls from April gauging their acceptance of each of the 3 finalists - which showed that Fernandes was dead last in the student and faculty polls respectively. Plenty of reading for her plane ride to DC, hopefully!

Overall, she seemed to "get" the issues. She didn't say it outright, but we got the sense that she truly was committed to bringing about a positive resolution at the BOT meeting Sunday.

Now.we're hoping for the best!

Unity for Gallaudet!

Michele Berke, Jim Brune, Chriz Dally and Sylvia Wood

One Step Forward, 49 Steps Backward

Deaf world, to me, is always a step forward and 49 steps backward. Reactionary versus proactive, a person once taught me, is an automatic inclusion in any Deaf issues. When I passionately fought against Audism in my graduate program, I learned several things the hard way. I fought, long and hard, and nearly gotten myself kicked out of the program; all because of a teacher who taught us, graduates to become educators of Deaf students, that sign language hinders the learning of English. I fought the fight by myself, with several "supporters" who rooted and cheered for me all the way as long as they went unnoticed. I basically looked like a radical screaming-into-the-microphone Howard Dean vying to change the world while my supporters kept a silent voice-making a picture of myself under the term, "reactionary" in our Webster dictionary.

I don't get it. Why do we, the Deaf people of our culture, always seem to do things or say things that backfires us all the way back to AGBell days? It's not like we asked for it really, actually, it has been imposed on us by a larger society that are fishes to few prominent, yet ignorant, leaders of the Deaf community. What I mean when I say ignorant leaders of the Deaf community (?) -apparently, are those who have "good" ties with the hearing community that mostly consists of a bunch of "are you sure sign language doesn't impair the child's ability to speak?" to "oh really? Speech production has nothing to do with language development? Wow, I didn't know that (and they promptly forget few seconds later)"

Wait, let me "rephrase" this into a very simple English concept-why do we allow our Deaf culture to be subjected to people like JKF? Her brilliant strategy to explain to an uneducated majority, quickly sending us into a stumbling 49 steps backwards, that issues like cochlear implant is a clashing theme in our Deaf world? I mean, it is seen as a dominant issue in our Time and Newsweek magazines: the Deaf people's inability to cope with "admitting" to the facts that cochlear implant is a positive tool to diminish our clinging Deaf culture. Or worse, a very mind boggling nonsense subjective "not Deaf enough" as a tool to make us look like simpering idiots.

How many people read those magazines, how many of them actually understand where our frustrations stem from? None, as I daresay, truly and ever will sincerely understand the strongest hold our Deaf culture has and that is, oppression.

Be it oralism, be it communication modes (SEE, LOVE, et cetera), hearing aids. and now, cochlear implants-no matter what or how many devices are thrown in a remedial to the incurable deafness path, Deaf culture will always prevail. Sure, the rapid growth of cochlear implantees may seem threatening, or as JKF uses it as a hyperbole misconception, it is not threatening our Deaf culture. It, in fact, is strengthening it. But, like I am trying to say, that is not the point. The point here is, we continue to have our real problem missed, our major concern overlooked or even, repeatedly, the main issue suppressed from a giant fact into a miniscule yet cancerous frustration.

I do not want to ramble into a wild fit here and be deemed as reactionary but all I want to say is, we need to have a stronger voice, an oxymoron in our community, and make ourselves loud and clear. It is not about remedying the Deafness that will send us into the category where dinosaurs fall into but rather, it is basically about giving us the freedom to make decisions about what is right for us, without any outsider's views or paternalistic recommendations in 'assisting' us. We would, so very much, love to move on with our "disability" and be what we are, that is, humans who are fully capable of functioning and in return, we would like for you to heed our advices as if we were worth every penny because, you know, we speak from experience, not you.

Clare Cassidy

Fundraising event last Saturday was a success!

You can check my blog to view pictures of our recent forum from last Friday. You all gave us more reason (EVERYDAY) why we should support FSSA and the protest! :)

http://www.xanga.com/earth2ak

ENJOY!
Arianne

What a tumultous day! Pix and updates

Whoa... the messages were flying fast and furious today!!! Here are updates from locals and Californians.

From Karina Pedersen
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 7:15:53
They took over college hall. It doesn't interfere education.... But gets to ikj and his adm...
See if that tatic works.

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:24:58
mike is at gally now - arrived this am. read below
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 7:03
Good am! Yes I'm at gally right now. Witnessed bull dozer carrying away debris from mssd gate and injured two students. Good thing media teams r here. They were here for the lock down at college hall...thy re having a field day here rite now.

From Rick & Val Herbold
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 7:33:23
Students Hurt!
MSSD gate was recently forced open by DPS. They bulldozed the gate open. There were NO INTERPRETERS on the scene. Students were seriously injured. They also dumped massive heaps of “trash” by the front gates, mostly consisting of tents and students’ possessions. Students are very angry
Updates about College Hall Lockdown
Students locked College Hall at midnight, and stayed there until
approximately 8 AM this morning, when they vacated the building, due to a shortage of people to keep it locked down. They only locked the first floor. The building is still closed as of right now, and is secured from the inside. DPS has yellow tape around it, and Fernandes was seen on the scene.

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:52:14
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 7:46:41
Not bad but brian's toe is severed. Other student not named yet was injured and brought to hospital.
-----Original Message-----
From: mary ann
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:45:49
how bad were the students hurt?

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:09:46
-----Original Message-----
From Carrie Gellibrand
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:08:31
Now mtg ...jkf ikj w/ others? Not sure. But happy hear jerks have mtg about it. Corigan is very disgusted dps was verry physical proof notsafe

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:30:06
From Ella Lentz
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gellibrand
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:05:26
Ryan says 4 students hurt... Dps dumped mssd stuff in front of gally... STUDENTS CALLED fire dept, NOT dps

From a local friend…
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:57:24
Subject know who
jk reminds me of? kathy bates in "misery" movie!

From Chriz Dally
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:01:05
Subject Gallaudet Situation getting worse
If u haven't done so, please call your senators (boxer/ feinstein) or show up at their office today! It is imperative to urge them to pressure BoT to solve this crisis immediately before any more people gets hurt. Ask the senators to contact the 3 congressional BoTs (woosley, mccain, mchood) to urge them to act and attend the BoT meeting this friday or sunday (or send senior staff) on behalf of Congress. It's time for those 3 congressional BoTs to step up.
Encourage ur buddies, families, co-workers to do the same!

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:29:51
dsp (dawnsign press) caught a lot on tape. so evidences def there

(name withheld)
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:30:40
I know... I'm sick... I've contacted some at gally to find out what the fac and staff are doing about it... It is time that they step in and do something drastic!
On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:16 am, (name withheld) wrote:
oh no. im afraid the protest is losing steam....we must have the two demands met!!! the future of gallaudet and the deaf community is truly at stake. where is the FACULTY???

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:43:52
From Ella Lentz
Have picture. Will follow.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gellibrand
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:23:43
Dc cops on road. Me say to protect us from DPS ha! Chris now explain bulldozer situation to media sans cameras just pen/paper w/ terps

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:45
From Ella Lentz
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gellibrand
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:41:51 Media interview Tara Chris C. Delia with 2 lawyers (suzy & former NAD peson) now. Second group w/ paul kelly now. He's called SICK LIAR MENTAL

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:45:43
From Ella Lentz
Wow.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gellibrand
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:44:15
Gate now CLOSED again!!!

From Ella Lentz
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:48:51
That was before gate closed again.
-----Original Message-----
From Carrie Gellibrand
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:21:50


From Ella Lentz
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:51:09
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gellibrand
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:49:11
Look like kelby brick bawled out paul kelly not sure. His signs were
furious & kelly stared back


From a Gally employee’s relative
Subject: Re: Injured!
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 11:41:27
After reading about this morning's forcible opening of gates and the takeover of College Hall, it seems resolution is further away than ever. All emails I am getting from colleagues on campus are very, very dim.
-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Morrison
-----Original Message-----
From Sue Mather’s pager
Subject: Injured!
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 9:04:36
Brian here.. I am at hospital right now with a severe injury on my right toe. I woke up this morning seeing 15-20 PPD destroying our fort, taking everything away. So I and other students formed a human chain around the gate. But they all physically assaulted our human chain by pushing the gate away. During the process of it, roller of gate smashed on my right toe...
We neeeed help here, they are doing violence thing to students. Students did not do anything wrong. Not even a dialogue or explaination from them for why to open up gate. They didn't even ask us to move or anything like that... They just bargained in and destroyed our fort. Then physically assaulted our human chain. Enough is enough.
I did nothing wrong! I couldn't believe what happened. Help us... Just want to let you know that I am a bit ok here.. My toe nail is all damaged and need to be removed. There's some bleedings. Will talk more about what happened in vp soon.. ILY xoxo


From Carrie Gellibrand
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 11:57:17
I don't know if there will be an 8pm meeting now because there is a large group of students protecting MSSD gates and now that they've got it locked down again Chris Corrigan (Mayor of Tent City) has said that there may be mass arrests once more. Ugh. Those willing to be arrested are asked to stay, others may leave. My pager is dying out *GRRRRRR* and my pager charger is elsewhere so don't have it on me. I'm really frustrated with DPS and administration because the students are TRUE BIZ peaceful. They are an *amazing* group of peaceful calm students. Yes, they are angry but it's like they are an ocean... their anger is like the undercurrent below the surface of the water, you know? They're not blowing up and making huge waves like the damn DPS and administration are doing with their violent tactics and actions. The students have been told by Ryan Commerson that they are all doing a wonderful job in keeping their emotions under control. It's okay to be angry and be on high
emotions, but everyone was asked to please keep their emotions under control just like they've been doing thus far. You guys should be PROUD of them, brought tears to my eyes when Chris Corrigan ended the emergency meeting today by saying after he did three "Gallaudet Unite Same!",
"Look at this spirit! They can never break our spirit!" It was beautiful. We all love Chris Corrigan. :)
I have to go... I was awakened by 5AM when a friend paged me, "WHERE ARE YOU? College Hall has been locked down!" Believe you me, I got dressed as fast as I could and ran down to Gallaudet at full speed, only to see the media have already set up camp outside the front gates across the street. But the students fooooooled the stupid DPS officers by going out the back door of College Hall while DPS broke in through the front doors and saw that everyone had left. HAHAHA! Students did NOT damage College Hall and took every precaution to take care of the property. Only "damage" I saw was where students wrote on a couple of whiteboards "JANE RESIGN NOW!" Damage? PUHLEASE... If there's any damage at all, it was done by DPS after all students had cleverly left.
Also, I think now the media have been PAH! listening to the students because I can see some of the reporters asking individuals about the situation so that looks good. Our own Vollmar said to Paul Kelly's face, "You are a liar!" Awesome... the spirit is strong and emotions are running high but we need more support. More money and more bodies... Come on you guys. I postponed my flight back home, you know. I love Gallaudet too much to stay a mere 4.5 days and feel like I didn't do much. So I postponed my flight back home until Nov. 1.
Gotta go. Be proud of Gallaudet students! Send prayers and strong spirits and brave thoughts for everyone! Mass arrests have me worried again. Sigh.
XOXO and hugs!
Carrie Gellibrand

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 11:58:56
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Mac Aulay
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:52:28
Am at mssd gate. We accomplished reclosing the gate. Paul kelley, dps and student leaders met along w kelby brick and suzy rosen. Gally adm said the agreement to keep all gates closed except 6th st is off the table and demanded all gates open or further actions will be made

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:24:10
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Mac Aulay
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:20:19
Ikj, paul kelley, and student leaders will meet at 330 to discuss more about gate situation. See see. Its possible some arrests will be made. Nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

From David Eberwein
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 14:37:21
-----Original Message-----
From Barbara Morrison Here're pixs of his injured toe. The yellow thingy u're seeing is his toenail. He was holding the gate w/ his arms, but ppd n dps just pull the gate apart. And as a result, his toe was ran over by gate's wheel (not bulldozer)... it's really bad, but at least his spirits aren't dampended. Un-****ing-believable, really...





From Tommy Korn via Stace Gough
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:20:32
Now we r having an excellent refreshing meeting
Amazing info
As such ikjfk commentaries, etcc and recaps on what had happened
todat
Planning on this wknd BOT mtf
Now richard littles here
Explaing how to how to covince bot.. Saying that having BoT omong here this sunday THAT means we are winning
Hd more to come

From Tommy Korn via Stace Gough
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:25:20
One of Dupree sons whose father was killed by dps when he protested against english dept he said thing like we cannot give up, etc etc
Jeff lews MJBienvu johnson, other fac explained abt noo violent, proud of students, explained whynt fac nit walk out as to reply top mbrain morrison comment saying want alllll peep want to walk out Ldrop everything and protest
Bienvenu said abt fac made a contract abt must teach per years, etcc and 61% of 83% r supporting the pritest but the rest doesnt

From Tommy Korn via Stace Gough
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:32:42
Ryan commerson
PPD ...delt so upset cuz of what happened today cuz some workers who disagreed w other ppd who became aggravting w stufents today and encouraged us to not be violent threatin to dps n ppd...
Saying NONONO to ny kind of violent, want to be cheerfuly happy til this sunday and Fac n richard little will workout the plans onbringing us students to private hotel where bots will be staying at, and will have signs and mtgs w them for pleads n etc
Now ended
Will have rally at 8 on how to "rid of angryK that will perhaps cause
violence mistakes that falls in their trap
Now peep r taking break

We are soooooo proud of you!

Update: We just keep telling each other how impressed we are with you, the students. I've gotten so many pages and emails expressing pride in you guys, and we keep talking about it in person. Kudos to y'all!!!

We here have been following the events on Kendall Green as closely as possible, worrying about escalating violence and your safety. We keep reading over and over that you guys have kept things civil and have refrained from destruction of property and physical violence. *thunderous hand-waving applause* We are so proud of you!!! Thank you!! Keep it up, hard though it is. *bear hug* to y'all!!!

CALL CONGRESS THIS MINUTE!!!

Yeah. Like, NOW! :) Please...

Call your senators and representatives NOW... the BoT may move up their meeting dates and we need to be sure Woolsey, McCain, and LaHood are physically present at the meeting or can send senior staffers.

From the pagers of 2 people who are in close contact with someone in FSSA:
"They [FSSA] have been meeting with various congress people in DC and they feel this is a good move, so that mccain, woolsey, and mchood can assure other BoTs that their federal funding will not be impacted if they move to oust jane."

"Exactly. A Fac professor I've been in contact with has been heavily involved with students AND parents meeting with Congresspeople on the Hill."

Links to find your representatives/senators:
Locate Your Local Senators Here!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Locate Your Local Representatives Here!
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

Plea for Peace

I'm very upset by what I'm hearing out of Kendall Green. I'm trying not to cry right now, but it's important to say this. This is a plea to the protesters to keep things nonviolent and not to damage property and objects. If you can prove to the world that you are able to remain nonviolent in the face of these acts of brutality, you will garner so so sosooooo much more support and it will help the tide turn in our favor. So even while what happened is terrible and infuriating, please, please, please remain peaceful.
Our thoughts are with you! *hug* to all protestors and supporters at Gally right now.
---Jenny Cantrell

Call to Action: Letters to the Editor!

From Karina Pedersen via Bay Area Yahoo
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 08:37:22

Yeow! Here's the article from Time magazine. I don't like this! Write editorials!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1549303,00.html

Message from the Stakeholders regarding the petition

Commentary by Site Manager: Yes, please, let's heed the calls to cease false accusations against individuals, groups, and communities. This is a time when unity is needed more than ever. Let's all unite for Gallaudet! Thank you, Tim, for the submission!

Posted as requested by Tim Rarus:

For all those in support for Unity for Gallaudet!:

For Clarification Purposes regarding the recent Petition asking for all Stakeholders for Gallaudet to join the collaborative effort with GUAA, NAD, CSD, and the California Coalition of Agencies in California, GLAD and NorCal, we would like to announce that it was done in spirit of strengthening the goals stated by the FSSA. We agree that the focus should remain on the 2 demands established by the FSSA. Which are to reopen the search process and no reprisals for those involved in the protest. Therefore, we agreed to remove it. In this difficult period of time in Gallaudet University's history, we ask that people stop with negative comments and false accusations regarding the petition and we remain focused on UNITY for Gallaudet. Thank you!

In UNITY for Gallaudet the undesigned wishes to apologize for any
confusion may have caused.

Andy Lange - GUAA
Bobbie Beth Scoggins - NAD
Sheri Farinha Mutti - NORCAL
Patty Hughes - GLAD
Tim Rarus - CSD

Mobile Tent City in San Francisco!

This is tooooo cool. Hat tip to Jesada Pua for alerting me to the link and to Gabe Leung for making it happen.

http://www.gabeleung.com/log/arch/000603.html#000603

http://www.gabeleung.com/log/arch/000604.html#000604

http://www.gabeleung.com/log/arch/000605.html#000605

UPDATE: Be aware of what you are signing!

Upon request from community members, this is being posted in response to some confusion that is occurring regarding a new online petition that is being circulated at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/GallaudetStakeholders.

Some people believe this petition asks for Dr. Fernandes' removal. It does not. It merely asks that her appointment be suspended pending an investigation. This is an important distinction. We here at the Bay Area Perspective are not in the business of telling people what to sign and what not to sign. This petition statement is a very strong one overall, and it recognizes the failure of the Board of Trustees to do its job. This is simply a reminder to all of us to be absolutely certain we are aware of everything that is contained in whatever we sign, and to make sure we agree with it before affixing our precious signatures.

UPDATE 10/22/06: Upon request from the community, this is being added to this post:

The petitioners have the right to rescind their signatures, telling the petition site that they misunderstood the content of the petition.

Again, this site is not taking a position one way or the other on the petition. However, this humble author would like to let the petition authors know that word has come in from many, many people that they agree with everything else and would sign in a heartbeat, but two things are stopping them from signing:
1. Not calling for Fernandes' complete removal
2. Not calling for no reprisals against students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members who are involved with the protest.
This is offered as a FYI.

Again, triple again, no encouragement/discouragement is being offered here - simply a reminder to be sure you know what you are signing and to make sure you agree with what you sign. This site is remaining neutral on the petition. :)

March to the Capitol and much more!

From: Sandra Ammons
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 05:23:47
Parents getting ready for protest in 40 min.; press conf. Yesterday afternoon with butch zein and donalda ammons on platform; press conf. With greg hlibok and tara holcomb on platform; meeting yesterday morning with some fac, parents, etc. - jeff lewis speaking; and poster of students from csd-fremont giving support (given by shea rasmus and brought by sandra ammons) will update more after the march to capitol...










From Karina Pedersen
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 05:56:10
Awaiting
Our march to capt hill. Maybe 1k ppl??



From Karina Pedersen
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 06:32:36
2-3k whoa. Gorgeous view. Dc residents r cheering us on. Its bigger
than we thought it wld be!






From: Sandra Ammons
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 06:49:14 Photo of parents' banner at the march... A veryveryvery good turnout! We feel the much needed wonderful energy and spirit! :-)


From Stefanie Ellis
Subject : photo of march !
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 08:31:08


From Stefanie Ellis
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 08:33:10
what a boost for the cause!
-----Original Message-----
From: Ella Lentz
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:08:46
Wowowoeeee! Is best word for it! Ppl say 4 000 to 5 000 people here! Spirits are high! Peaceful too. I filmed best I could. Thinking of u all too!

From Joey Baer
Fw: Over 2 thousand supporters
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:00:30
-----Original Message-----
From: David Martin
Subject: Over 2 thousand supporters
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 10:27:11


From Joey Baer
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:56:03
-----Original Message-----
From: David Martin
To: Joey Baer
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:27:36
Mj, laurene simms, ryan c, chris corrigan andy lange greg and tim bobbie beth scoggine people on hunger strike matt lockhart one hearing parent wilton mcmillan, president of nbda Will have rally at 3pm at gally now me at us eating lunch

From Stefanie Ellis
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 10:00:34
-----Original Message-----
From: Karina
Subject: Re: march
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 07:59:28
Yes for sure. Matt lockhart just gave a great speech w tears... Now
lange takes the stage

From Stefanie Ellis
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:06:27
Proud Student Leaders


From Ginny Malzkuhn
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:04:24
Parade WOW!
Our Gallaudet parade was BEAUTIFUL!!! Inspiring and strong!! Of course me in tears when I looked at a long long line from front to back with beautiful diversity of deaf/hearing people.
We carried posters and many of us wore unity for gallaudet t-shirts. There were many cops guarding us. One father asked one cop how many of us and he immediately replied 2,000. We parents gasped with tears. Many were thrilled to see us parents join them and carry a huge banner, "we, parents, stand behind our children" in the front of parent group.
We chanted, "unity for galladuet" and "jk resigns" repeatedly. At capitol hill we had wonderful and powerful speeches from student leaders, fac reps (mj and laura), nad prez, guaa prez, hunger strike students (know what! Larry Vollmar joins them), dpn leaders (greg and tim), parent reps (tami and wilton)......with chants and screams. Wow, beauitful and perfect weather!!
For your info. here students and faculty and staff can feel your Bay Area support. They really appreciate it soooooo much. Yes, I can see that they do need more people to come and talk with them and take care of them daily until JK RESIGNS!!!
Me now on way to Fowler Hall for our another parent meeting to discuss what we will do about our children (all 134) who were arrested. Yes, they receive judical affairs letters from the administration yesterday. We will FIGHT! Please pray for them all.
Thank you again and again for what you have done for our Galaudet community. It means a lot to them.

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:27:57
From Joey Baer
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Clark
Subject: 4k ppl
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:19:56
DC just announced that there was 4k ppl marching to Capitol Hill today. Waving hands! ((Editorial note & commentary: DC POLICE made this announcement! So it’s quite official. Wa-hoo!))

From JAC
Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:30:07
latest: 4,000 !!!!!!!!

OpEd: Attitude of Gallaudet BoT Member?

Some of our local people met with Ken Levinson, local Board of Trustees member in an attempt to drum up support for our cause.

A press release can be found here: http://www.elisawrites.com/?p=290

An excerpt:
On Tuesday October 17, Gallaudet alumni Butch Zein, Robin Horwitz, James Brune, and Bridgetta Bourne-Firl met with Ken Levinson, a Trustee of the Board of Gallaudet University, at his office in San Francisco. They discussed their concerns at the meeting, and at the end of the conversation Mr. Levinson said, “I always thought deaf people that use sign language were dumb people but eventually I learned they weren’t, and I enjoyed chatting with you all.”

At first glance, this seems perfectly innocuous. It sounds like he has had an opportunity to learn about signers and he now respects signers. It didn't bother me at all ... until I read that he had said something similar to Bobbie Beth Scoggins 20 years ago. Keep in mind that he was president of the Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and is a staunch advocate of oralism and cochlear implants.

None of this is concrete evidence as to what Mr. Levinson's attitudes and beliefs are. But they are enough to make one wonder whether or not he truly understands Gallaudet's core constitutency, and if he is an appropriate choice for the Board of Trustees, especially at this time of crisis.

The Tide, She is A-Turnin'!

Public perception seems to be shifting in our favor! Hat tip to Robin Horwitz for the following:

http://phibetacons.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YWIzNmIzOTIyNWJiNjc4Mzk1ZjdmYTMyMzMzMTRjY2I=

BREAKING NEWS: POSSIBLE EXPULSION

Some of the students who were arrested have received letters demanding their appearance in front of the Judicial Board within 5 days or be expelled from Gallaudet. I'm still working on getting permission to release more info, but some students have gotten letters, while others haven't gotten anything. Watch this post for further updates as they become available.

Updates Galore (great info)

From Sandra Ammons
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:44:24
Been in mtg all morning since 10 am... Just a pix from mtg... Mtg with parents, alumni and some fac. Idenityfing our messages, tasks, etc. Giving students more support, etc. Weather not too great here but manageable... More later...


From Delanne Woodall-Hamlow
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:52
prezz conference at 4.
faculty will have candlelight vigil and march at 7 tonight and will be
different...wbat? dunno yet
rally again at 8
will have alumni eventz
we will march to the capitol tomorrow at 9
jk told wazhington pozt that the faculty doez not run gallaudet and that the board doez....jeez!

From Karina Pedersen
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:59:47
Rally now. Tawny explained abt talking points... Now focus on bot's responsiblities... To be here. NOW.
Delia re-discussed our two demands...
Tawny explained that our schedule for weekend is expanding.
4p press
5p staff mtg
7p faculty vigil march (a surprise will occur,)
8p rally.
Tomorrow 8a, meet front gate for march to capt hill.
They also explained how jk insulted fac/staff/students for saying that they don't run the univ.
Recongized starving students. With media.
Carla Garcia, an alumni from new mexico gave words and declared she will cook everyone dinner...
Christina roschart spoke on behalf of alumni... Need to spread word... For alums to come come come.
Have alumni tent...
Need 3rd wave. Esp for sun/mon

From Sandra Ammons
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:12:18
We are in this with the students for a long haul. Students get a lot of support and relief from the alumni, parents and visitors in town for the 'homecoming' event which is really nice. However, most are leaving sunday and monday. It will be a letdown for students with little support. So please start considering about making a trip out here next week. Let other fssa supporters across the country know about this and encourage them to come out. Thanks.

From Sandra Ammons
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:34:34
Our message this weekend is directed at the BoTs. We wonder where the board of trustees are. Why aren't they here? That's our main concern. That is what we are telling the media besides other talking points.

From Karina Pedersen
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:23:18
Rally now... Univ. just charged the students who got arrested?!?! GO and Hustle! Holler at BOT to take action.

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:57:48
From Ginny Malzkuhn
We parents/alumni are pissed offfff. Will have another parent mtg after the parade to capitol hill. Zibby will contact media. JKF & IKJ keep on playing games and send out misinformation.
Original Message-----
From: Zibby Bayarsky
I just saw news jk just announced that she has the full support of parents in calif and arizona

From Ginny Malzkuhn
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 7:59 PM
Yes we will join the parade to capitol hill tmw. Right, no hc but yes for alumni reunions.....really almost nothing except their own banquets. Nice to see a number of alumni here. Pah, IKJ was convienced by guaa board to keep a special ceremony for class of 1956 to celebrate their 50th anniv. with medals.
This eve we followed faculty's parade from sac to king's house and then flashlight vigil. They wore their professor gowns/caps. 2 fac went to knock his home door....no response. Tv media was there. Then we followed the fac to college hall and 2 fac gave us good peptalk.
Oh....there was a nice alumni rally this pm. Later several people introduced by Tara gave us strong speeches on one of bot, ken levision's negative comment about deaf using sign lang. Being considered dumb. Wow, strong reaction/response from alumni. My gosh more more sickening to listen......BUT GREAT to see BIG and STRONG boost from different MARVELOUS people!!
We will WIN!! :o) xo, ginny

Call for Sympathetic AGB Member in the Bay Area!

Yes, you read that right. *grin* Read below...

From Gabe Leung
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:23:02
I wonder if any of you Bay Arean are a AG Bell member or know someone who does? I just found out that Ken Levinson was honored by AG Bell recently with the Honors of the Association. If he was to meet a deaf person who currently holds a AG Bell membership, he may finally get to listen what s/he has to say about the problems at Gallaudet.

Also, since Ken Levinson has been involved with AG Bell for so long, I guess that gives us something to ponder whether he fully supports what IKJ is doing since IKJ, I believe, is also involved with AG Bell for many years, too. I just think that if someone, who simply has a AG Bell membership card and supports what the protestors are pulling for, could speak with Mr. Levinson and get him to sway his support to our side.

It is really amazing to see that Mr. Levinson was glad to listen to
what we have to say at the first place, only to have changed his mind after discussing with the GU's president's office. I truly believe that one has to see EVERYTHING on the table and then he can decide for himself.

Just my .02 cent here...

URGENT Call for Information!!!

From Elizabeth/MishkaZena
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:40:16
do you know anyone who still work or used to work at the financial dept, including payroll and account? it's very urgent that they speak to me. I'm working on an angle All names will be kept confidence. spread the word.
((Editor’s note – please contact her at shasus (at) aol (dot) com))

Recap of Thursday's events from Karina who's there now

From Karina Pedersen (published via Bay Area Yahoo group)
Fri, 20 Oct 2006 13:12:40
Hi everyone,

I'm currently in D.C. and yesterday was Parents' day. They had their meeting w/ Irv.... Then we had a press conference but only to discover that JKF/IKJ along with concerned students had theirs at the same time. Condience? You decide.

The press conference led by Bobbie Beth acknowledged lies JKF used in the Washington Post article and shared how it's an insult to us by calling us terrorisms. There was also stories shared on how we have always accepted oralism, CI, etc onto campus.

MJ shared her experience meeting w/ Jane along with Kitty Baldridge and Bob (I missed his last name..) from Lingustics dept.. She shared that she told Jane she should be shamed. Jane was a hard headed who repeatedly said she's the only one to do the job.

Bobbie also recongized those who are on hunger strike... Some of them are on their 7th day today! Parents shared highlights of their meeting... Noah Beckman shared his experience at Captiol Hill... All ended very positive.

We r still discussing on what exact plan would be for Homecoming... For now, we'r marching to the Captiol at 9 am tomorrow... Then we shall see what FSSA has decided on today.

Check out www.bucknakedbison.com and
always www.elisawrites.com !

Yours,

Karina

Bay Area Community Forum Saturday Night!! Come!

Text of the flyer:

Saturday, October 21, 2006
6:30pm – 8:30pm

A slide show presentation and reflections about the protest will be shared by our OWN Bay Area folks who flew there to support the cause!

A discussion on what we, the Bay Area community, can do from now on, will follow.

CSD Little Theater
39350 Gallaudet Drive
Fremont, CA 94538

$10 donation
(ALL proceeds will go directly to FSSA)
Free for children under 12

Local Account of Parent Meeting with IKJ This AM

From Kathy Greene
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 7:54 am
The meeting : Wow and unbelievable. The question was how IKJ agreed to a meeting with us. He thought he was meeting with hearing parents who might be on his side cuz a hearing parent called and wanted a group to meet with him. He didn't know who was in the group. So we were instructed to show no expressions no hello etc. Ironic IKJ asked the media to be there and called other parents to come but the leader of our parent group refused to allow them to join cuz they weren't part of our group and meeting. So they were turned away. We sat around a long oval table looking stern. IKJ came in and sat at the end (middle). We began introducing with no names like what I did "my two daughters Tara and Leala Holcomb were arrested last Friday" When I said that looking straight in his eyes, we were shooting daggers into each other's eyes. What an emotional moment. Then the leader Tami Hossler read a letter by the parent group (same demands as FSSA). A copy will be on blogs. Three parents made short statements. Then we all stood up and left. IKJ didn't say a word. He just sat staring (was he listening?). But we delivered a powerful message!

Info from Stark's Chief of Staff - investigating BoT etc

From Michele Berke
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 3:08 pm,
Hi everyone,
Good news and not so good news! Woolsey's office called and can set up a meeting..but it has to be at the Santa Rosa office.That's the good news..the not so good news is that it's not til later next week. the date/time she is available is next Thursday, October 26th at 1:30 pm.

Maybe, if we're lucky, this will be over by then because jkf will resign? But, even so, I think a meeting should happen to let her know about the way the bot and administration has not had a "separation of powers", etc.

Anyhow, she would like to know if this is agreeable and if so, who will be attending the meeting. I think they prefer no more than 4 people.

Please let me know if the date/time is ok and who will go. I am happy to pass along that info. If someone else prefers to do that, that's fine, too..just let me know!

Also, the contact is Jennifer and her number is 707/542-7182.

-----Original Message-----
From Michele Berke
Thursday, October 19, 2006 1:16 PM
Subject: Stark's office

Hi all,
Just spoke again with Debbie Curtis from Stark's office. I was asked
to contact her to see if she can orchestrate a meeting with Woolsey's office; she said she had tried earlier and will keep trying to help us get to Woolsey.

She is also doing some "research" at the Library of Congress to get info about the BOT specifically, and generally how other universities conduct their appointments, fiduciary responsibilties, etc. She believes that what Jane said in the post article (if she resigns, congress will scrutinize the BOT's fiduciary responsibilities, etc.) was false and wants to find that out. She will pass that info along to us when she gets it.

She will be coming to the local office next week..and is glad to meet with us if anyone is interested. She knows meeting with Woolsey is the priority and is working to try and make that happen.

Will keep you posted if I learn anything else..

Plea to Dr. Brueggemann from Chriz Dally

From Chriz Dally
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:36:46
Just FYI- I sent off this letter to each trustee that had an email. I am trying to fax to Mc Cain and Woolsey but their fax numbers not accepting, maybe because it is after hours. Will try again in am.

From: Chriz Dally
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 3:58 PM
To: 'brueggemann.1@osu.edu'
Subject: Please help and end the Gallaudet crisis

Dear Dr. Brenda Jo Brueggemann:

I am a Deaf woman writing to you from Pleasant Hill, California. I
graduated from Gallaudet University in 2004, with a master in Counseling. I write to you with grave concerns about the events of the past several weeks at Gallaudet, which you, no doubt, are aware of. I plead with you to ACT and help Gallaudet come to an end with this crisis and the only way that we can move forward is to ask Jane K. Fernandes to resign from
President-Select. I also ask that you ensure that there are no reprisals for those who are involved with the peaceful protest.

I read the 10/19/06 Washington Post article by Susan Kinzie, and I was appalled with a couple of statements that Ms. Fernandes made in an email to you: "what we are dealing with on campus is anarchy and terrorism." I strongly disagree with this statement, as from what I have seen from friends emailing me from Gallaudet, countless blogs, and news is that the protestors have conducted this as peacefully as possible, attempted to create dialogue with the administration without much success. Yes, they are causing civil disobedience, but only to make a point, and they have the STRONG support of thousands across the USA and around the world. You can see for yourself by going to www.joeybaer.com which posts videos of many deaf communities showing support behind the protestors. To me, the statement made by Ms. Fernandes clearly shows her inability to distinguish what the reasons behind the protestors' behaviors are. She obviously believes she is the best person for the job, and has stated repeatingly that Gallaudet would be worse off if she resigned. Now I have no doubt that she has a strong sense of belief in herself and that her credentials on paper are strong. Unfortunately, she, and only her alone, is being held hostage by her own limited emotional context of the moment. She has not been able to reach out and try to understand others. She is not able to analyze the severity of the situation and the fact that she would be entering the presidency without a majority of the Faculty having expressed THREE times over an 11 year period that they do not have confidence in her leadership! Just last week, the Faculty met in the largest ever faculty meeting and voted 82% that she MUST go! Yet the next day, she says that the faculty members are just being affected by the protest, which is a major insult! This limitation and mindset is blinding her to realizing that her words and actions come out as blatantly arrogant, which just enrages further not just the students, faculty, alumni, but people around the world! Her words certainly enrages me!

The second comment that she made in this article was that if she were asked to leave or be fired, "the University and in particular the Board of Trustees will undergo intense scrutiny from Congress. I venture to guess Congress will ask why you did not perform your fiduciary duties to the University. And you will have to explain." To me, this statement was a veiled, but obvious, threat! This only goes on to prove what many faculty and staff have been saying over the years about her management style. She manages by intimidation. I could go on and on about what I heard from others and what I read about what she has done to many people. If you need more specific information about her management style, please go and talk with faulty and staff who can share what they have experienced.

Please understand my appeal in this letter. Ms. Fernandes does not have the true mark of a leader and she does not contain certain set of skills required for a successful University President. Please have the courage to "hear us" and act in the best interests of Gallaudet University and the Deaf Community. Dr. I. King Jordan is unable to solve this crisis on his own. He has lost the respect of SO MANY people that his power as President is over. Please take over and ask Ms. Fernandes to resign, re-open the search process for a new president, and ensure no reprisals to those involved in the protest. Thank you for taking the time out of your valuable schedule to read my email.

Unity for Gallaudet!

Chriz Dally
Alunmi '04

Today's Press Conference (local perspective)

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:23:49 -0700 Show full headers
From
Ginny Malzkuhn

To Ella Lentz , Bunny Klopping , Marsha Helmuth , Jane Jackerson , Tom Holcomb , , Jenny Cantrell
Subject Fw: Press conference this pm


-----Original Message-----
From Ginny Malzkuhn
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:20:12
Hi....

Please share this with your friends......

Amazing press conference with wonderful fronts like nad prez, faculty reps, student leaders, parent leader, staff reps, alumni, guaa prez, few others... I believe their speeches are to be printed and distributed via websites.

(I try my best to remmy and summarize what they talked about)

1) nad prez (Bobbie Beth): clarify why the protest exists and how we as different groups can do as an indication of unity for gallaudet (prevent different statements or misunderstanding). Continue to focus on social justice (2 demands and 4 concerns) and avoid any "distractions" whenever asked by media

2) student leaders (sbg prez): explain how and what they and students did at capitol hill (meeting with aides of senators and explaining clearly about the protest.) INTERESTING: IKJ & JKF have threatened or warned that Gally would lose $$ from Congress if Gally continues to be in this "mess." Not true! Congress continues and will continue providing financial support.....not depending upon IKJ or JKF' decisions

3) faculty reps (MJ spoke): mtg with JK.....sad news about how she responded to their questions of concerns. Jane kept saying she could save Gally from falling apart and could lead Gally successfully. She said she refused to resign. I cried. To me Jane missed all the points of faculty's questions. Have to explain more in person.

4) parent leader: explain what happened at the parent meeting (26 deaf/hearing parents) with IKJ this am. As agreed the group introduced themselves as parents (no names) of students (names) and expressed lists of concerns and expectations of res without hearing his responses or comments. Powerful message from the group sent to IKJ. He was speechless and sat silently while each parent walked out of the room. What do u think?? Tmw we parents will have a meeting to follow up and discuss plans. Will kee u posted.

5) guaa prez: sad news about postponing hc and closing public buildings to "visitors". Keep alumni reunions as planned. Will announce what activities we can do last min. We will have a parade to capitol hill @ 8am sat. Speeches and activities there.

6) staff reps (I think): all- inclusive Unbelievably Jane mentioned she would develop it...something new for Galy. Oh no! Nothing new......it has been existed many many years! Interesting story: one lady explained her background (deafened and she learned ASL one year before she enrolled Gally in 1966). Met a first deaf person....guess who? It was IKJ and they shared similiar experiences and both felt completely welcomed by Gally as a part of deaf community. Whew!

Just before the press conference Tim Rarus gave a pep talk.....inspiring and had several alumni tell how they felt and thought. They spoke out that jane was not a leader. Period!

My head is still spinning with all the talks I had with my kids, students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. They are BEAUTIFUL people. I BELIEVE we will WIN!! Think positive and continue to fight!!

I hug many of your beloved ones. Please let me know what I can do for you during my stay here. Many love to wear Gally ribbons! :o)

Updates from Karina and Ella

From Karina Pedersen
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:04:27
Awaiting press conf. W parents

From Ella Lentz
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:07
Judy and I snuck out to northern Maryland to see more autumn foliage. Will be back tmw. Only news I have is that the parents met with IKJ this morning and gave letter to him demanding JKF to resign along w 3 other demands. They introduced themselves as mother or father of student who was arrested, gave name of student. After giving letter, they left. One hour and half was allocted for mtg but they finished in half hr.
And another thing I heard was that at mtg around noon today JKF repeated her refusal to resign. Starting to rain again just now. 7 pm most likely faculty march...and 8 pm rally with updates.

*UPDATED* BoT member Ken Levinson won't meet with us???

From Robin Horwitz
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:07:57

Hi all,

When I contacted Ken Levinson to follow up on our meeting from 2 days ago, his response was that all concerns should be directed towards the president's office.

i was taken aback and tried to rephrase my question by submmitting our summary of the meeting to him before releasing it to the public. He said he did not want to review it and asked us to submit our comments directly to the president's office.

This was in a stark contrast to what we experienced on Tuesday when he was so willing to listen to our views. I couldn't help but feel that he spoke with IKJ after our meeting and was told to direct all the comments to the President's office.

Now, with that in mind, I THINK it is time for us to contact the
Congress. Congress is not going to care about who's right or wrong. They will CARE if BOT is going to be inacessible to the community.

It's our job to contact the congress now and explain to them that we cannot approach the BOT and express our views.

Robin

UPDATE: Thoughts and a great point from Rita Ribera
From Rita Ribera
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:27:08
p.s. if we get some evidence that BOTs are redirecting us to IKJ then we can state that that BOTs have "surrendered" their position in this crisis AND that IKJ can no longer say that the BOTs are actively standing behind him. BOTs have made themselves absolute by doing this...

From Tom Holcomb
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:08
Just finished an interview with a ny times reporter and I made the point of mentioning that bot is not being accessible.

From Stefanie Ellis
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:38:01
point well made! we NEED evidence. if we can prove that the BoT is inaccessible and uninvolved, and prove that MBI (management by intimidation) - which the BoT is supposed to be investigating - is a serious problem at gallaudet, our case will be much, much stronger.

Updates

From Kevin Clark
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:12:51
Most Update info: GUAA plans to set up a huge white tent at the front gate for Alumni this morning but IKJ just called the company that rent the tent to us and threatened to have their employees arrested for setting it up without a permit. It cost them $8,000 dollars to rent the tent. NAD prez Bobbie and Andy lange both re trying to get a hold of IKJ and other adm ppl to discuss abt getting the permit but they won't tlk to Bobbie and Andy. The tent is already half way to be completed but have to wait til the permit s given to them.

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:40:13 From Karina Pedersen
At ground zero.
People are exhausted. We are uncertain of what schedule wld be like this wknd and we get this.

-----Original Message-----
From: President
To: President@gallaudet.edu
Subject: Postponement of Homecoming
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:21:23 -0400

October 19, 2006

To Members of the Campus Community:

I know that we are all disappointed about the postponement of
Homecoming. It was a difficult decision to make, but necessary under the circumstances. Currently there is just one gate that provides access to campus, the Sixth Street gate. Those of you who have used it to enter campus have found the going slow and frustrating. The long lines and wait time for people leaving campus in the afternoon have been even worse. The Brentwood Parkway gate near MSSD and the West Virginia Avenue gate near Kendall School are locked, closed and barricaded with tents and debris. We have made repeated requests to the protestors to open these gates and each request has been refused.

Given this very limited access to campus, I simply cannot invite
hundreds and possibly thousands of people to come to our campus for Homecoming. In the past, when Homecoming events took place, we opened as many gates as were needed to allow traffic to flow smoothly. Even with all the gates open past Homecomings have created a logistical problem with traffic. With only one open gate, it would be impossible to assure that emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks could quickly enter campus and respond as needed. We have already had incidents where emergency vehicles have encountered difficulty accessing the campus.

Homecoming is an important tradition at Gallaudet and by continuing to barricade all but one gate, the protesters are responsible for the disruption of this year’s events. That is why there will be no official Gallaudet University sanctioned Homecoming this weekend. All official Homecoming events are postponed and will be rescheduled. For safety's sake there can be no large scale events that draw large numbers of people, such as the football game or open events scheduled in auditoriums or large meeting rooms.

We are aware that there are small scale events that have been scheduled independently of official, University sponsored, events. We will attempt to cooperate with those individuals who are already on campus and have already reserved rooms and arranged for catering. We will try to work with those who have planned events such as class reunions that have limited attendance. We cannot have events that will draw large numbers of people. Under the present circumstances it simply is not a safe or prudent thing to do.

I ask that you join me in working to restore our sense of community and mutual caring.

I. King Jordan
President

California Parents Capture the Airwaves!

From Sandra Ammons
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:55:57
Parents mtg with irving jordan this am was brief, to the point and very straightforward! Zibby just had an interview with nbc tv. See pix attached. Oxox


From Sandra Ammons
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:37:52
The content of the interview was mainly about parents coming all the way to meet irving... Why we feel strongly about the whole controversy... Etc.
On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 7:58 am, stefanie ellis wrote:
>great! did you see it? what was the focus (content) of the interview?

From Sandra Ammons
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:57:03
David reynolds and I were interviewed on tv with abc 7 news with a very niceeeee reporter who has been covering the protest all week. She also interviewed some alumni who are here for their 50th anniv class reunion, etc. The reporter asked us about our being the alumni, where we were from, how we felt about irving cancelling homecoming, etc. Mci - ip relay came and distributed bags and bags of prepared lunch of various sandwiches. I helped the crew unloading boxes of the lunch and water bottles. More to come later...

UPDATED: We're coming in waves and we'll keep coming!!!

We aren't giving up!!!

Joey Baer, with the blessing of the local GUAA chapter, is keeping track of whom is going, has gone, and is at Gallaudet now. He is also scheduling slots for us to keep going. Here is Joey's message below, along with the "waves" list and schedule, which will be updated as more info comes in:

Greetings,

Even though the Washington post article seems to be a breakthrough for us, we must be prepared anyway. Right now, our 2nd wave of bay area alumnus is in Washington DC to give FSSA our support! In case the protest last longer after this weekend, we should plan on 3rd and 4th wave in case. Let's communicate to see if anyone of you plan to go? or any volunteers?

Thanks to first and second waves - you did us proud!!!

((editorial note: dates are approximate))

First wave:
Tom Holcomb
Rory Osbrink
Nora Yates
Tim Gough
Stefanie Ellis and Landen
Michele Berke and Troy
Mary Ann Hencker
Roberta Daniels
Colin Piotrowski
Maureen Klusza
Jeanne Dike

Second wave: (RIGHT NOW)
Alyce Lentz
David Eberwein
Ella Lentz
Judy Gough
Sandra Ammons
Val Herbold
Barb Morrison
Karina Pedersen
Kathy Greene
David Weiss
Ginny Malzkuhn
Butch Zein
Delanne Woodall
Carrie Gellibrand
Oni Nicolarakis

3rd Wave (Around Oct 22 - 25th

Fourth Wave: Around Oct 25th - 29th

For sure: JAC

Thinking About it:
Michael Mac Aulay
Robin Horwitz
Rory Osbrink
Arianne Kassel
Jennifer Buck

Fifth/Sixth Wave:
Rima Cornish
Gabe Leung

Goings-On in the Wee Hours!!

((was: March to Faculty Row NOW to celebrate WaPo article! but with so much going on last night, it's been expanded.) You'll note that at some points the time appears to jump around, but that's only because of differing time zones. The messages are presented in chronological order.

From Alyce Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:10:05
Right now, we're waiting at the front gate for a rally. Yep, at 1 am!! We're excited about the wash post article!!!

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:27:53
Read the Washington Post yet? Newest one tonight...
And right now we re marching to the Faculty Row for some action...maybe 300 or 400 of us...

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:40:09
Rumors...but right now just crowd in front of President house yelling banging drum saying JK RESIGN!
On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 1:37 am, Jenny Cantrell wrote:
>Just realized... What kind of action? Rally or...?

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:08:46
I got behind but got word that students are going to lockdown College Hall tonight. Ill go over there now.

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:09:44
Got word...they re walking thru coffin door to put up posters in College Hall...

From Mel Carter
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:11:52
Whooaaa the coffin door wow symbolic I ll send positive thoughts ur way mmmmm

From Tim Gough
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 06:15:03
Wow- as long as no harms are done- I'm really curious to what jane will have to say at the press conf. tmrw- ((Joey Baer asked if there would really be a press conference and what time it was. We don’t know yet.))

From Kevin Clark
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 02:18:47
Yes I was told that they lockdown IKJ s office now. Dunno if it s correct info.

From Kevin Clark
Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Heard that the window(s) at College Hall were broken by two students but they went to see DSP to admit to them that they did break the window(s). Overally, the students behaved and got out of the bldg and marched to the front gate.

From Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:35:28
Yeah...one person NOT a Gally student...throw an apple and broke one window. Protestors made him go confess to DPS. He's with DPS now.
Otherwise, everybody doing well.

From Maureen Klusza
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 02:43:50
Students just took over the college hall.

From Tim Gough
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:00:17
Wow- as long as they confessed up- unneccesary to throw an apple into window- sigh- I just began to make idvd from my photos at gally-

From Stacy Gough
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 05:50:05
I fell asleep around 830 so it was great to wake up to this news... Definitely hope! Wonder what news today will bring!

BREAKING NEWS: BoT Split???

From Alyce Lentz

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 21:10:52
Read this NOW!!! And pass this along!!!
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Flash news!
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 03:56:02 +0000
Before you meet with King or JK, please read Wash Post now about Gallaudet Trustees Split.

(Thanks to Jack Lamberton for the WaPo link!)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101802035.html

Cartoon: Irv's Legacy

Commentary by the cartoonist
I hope Tim Rarus doesn't mind my using his words for King's epitaph. *grin* I have just been so completely saddened, horrified, sickened, and appalled by King's actions over the past few weeks. I was in high school when DPN occurred. That week was a blur of many local media interviews, class discussions, marching in the local rally, speaking at the rally, watching Nightline that Wednesday and the evening news every night, and many more snippets. When I eventually went to Gallaudet, I took great pride in the fact that I had, in a small way, helped King get his job and proved to the world that we are just as capable as anyone else. (By the way, I've always hated the quote, "Deaf people can do anything except hear," because it always had negative connotations to me. Not hearing to me is simply a different way of being, not a lack of anything.) But I digress. I had always revered King until last May. My faith in King was shaken, but not shattered. When King ordered the arrests on Friday, I was forced to confront my deep sorrow at how utterly he has destroyed himself in my eyes. As far as I, and many others, are concerned, his legacy is completely in tatters. And dammit, we did not want this for King. We wanted to celebrate his departure and leave him comfortably ensconced on his pedestal for all time. Unfortunately, after what he has done, he is Ozymandias in my eyes. This drawing was the best way possible for me to express my sorrow at how he has ruined everything he used to stand for and how thoroughly he has dug his own grave. Tim Rarus may have uttered those words simply to represent himself, but they ring true for me, and I suspect for many others as well. Thus the decision to quote him for the epitaph.
Jenny Cantrell

Wednesday's Updates from our Locals in DC!

From Matilda Lonn
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 04:57:04
Hello,
I guess I was too optimistic yesterday with my comments after Michael's sent article that was more positive than what we got in the past and that the fac votes showed clearly that Jane doesn't have enough strong support. I don't understand why she still is so stubborn and wants to lead even though there are not many supporters behind her back - not only her, I. King Jordan too.... This is soooo fishy... Why do they still want to lead if there are no enough supporters?
Well - let's not give up! Once again, thank you for all your work! As many already mentioned - continue to do our part; donate, call, write, go to Gally, etc...
Last but not least - more and more international people are also reacting and involved! I got this email forwarding from international friends and the letter was made by some Canadians. I tried to forward the email first two days ago but it didnt go through and I didnt understand why until now - oh, it contained too much memory due to a picture they had on their logo so I am now removing that logo in order to be able copying their letter for you to read... (Now I hope there will be some involvement from Sweden as well!) Read below – ((Editorial Notes: Matilda is from Sweden. The Canadian letter can be found on the gufssa.com site.))
UNITY for GALLAUDET! Best Deaf President Now!
~Matilda~

Hat tip to Delanne Woodall-Hamlow, who forwarded this message from MishkaZena/Elizabeth to the Bay Area Yahoo group
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:26:24 EDT
I finally found a great source of media contact. please if you hear anything that needs to be reported to the media, contact me asap and I'll contact the media... please feel forward to everybody (I've given up my privacy regarding my personal e mail).. any emergency, formal public updates, etc, just let me know . my e mail addy is _shasus@aol.com_
Reason I'm doing this: media gets limited information and often only when the interpreters are there, this is much faster and to 50 reporters. I'm very aggressive, keeping reporting to the media.
Unity for Gallaudet
Elizabeth aka mishkazena

From Rita Ribera
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:32:36 -0700 Show full headers
good morning , e'body~ can we please really think through the msg
stefanie sent. and reduce comments on other things. use this time to develop plans of action. time is of essence now...

1)2nd group formed already for mtg w levinson?
2)appt w congresswoman woolsey was secured, who's going?
3)keep donating $ or things to next alumni flying out (steffi, still
need blankets & sleeping bags?)
4)any ideas for fun fundraisers? to tap into $ of larger community? cld try comm in berkeley?
5)contact joey for 3rd n 4th "waves" to dc

these are the things I know we can DO here other than just commenting...
;o) bigger actions needed NOW!
~*~ Rita ~*~

From Karina Pedersen
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:55:39
I'm with you.
They truly need $$$$ and people!
1) Not that I know of. Rory is gonna contact Levinson on his behalf as he requested to be in touch w Rory.
2) I gave my slot to tom/rory and tom is working on scheduling. I also informed them that stefanie wants to join. If anything contact either one of them! Do still encourage more appts to be made w both. More voice heard, the better.
3) DONATE cash to colin or any of guaa members. Also can give $ to melinda or maureen as well. Or use paypal on gufssa.org
4) do a pizza night or something. Ask local pizzeria or like baja fresh who also does fundraisers... Etc? Just an idea.
I'll gather more info once I'm in DC tonight.
We need bodies. Come if you can!
We need $$$. Donate all you can!

From David Eberwein
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:42:07
PAH! News from GU!
*For those of you wondering why no news came from me the past two days, take a look @ Genie's, Ella's, and my Deafhood presentation sked: Tues Oct. 18th, 9-11 AM, 12-2 PM, 3-5 PM, 6-8 PM and Wed Oct 19th, 9:30-11:30 AM!!!!!!!! So u see, we didn't have much free time here. Anyway, the asl/Deaf Studies, Education, and Counseling Departments all sponsored the workshop. MJ and Laurene were especially GREAT hosts- they took care of GG, Ella, and me!
*Many stuff- most notably everybody's SO impressed w/ the Bay Area! Grin and- even more important--- our Deafhood presentation helped convert some anti-protest students! Yay! And most of the workshops were packed.
*Mon night I was astonished to see how good MJ looked. I commented on that, and she credited her visit to the Bay Area- it helped give her a 2nd wind!
*Good news- the protest is MUCH MUCH stronger, organized, and fired-up than last May! Everybody's now jumping in, including the wonderful faculty. There are many wonderful leaders- Tara Holcomb, MJ, Laurene, Chris Corrigan, Jesse Thomas, Latoya Plummer, etc- but wow the STUDENTS really took over the protest. We thanked them for taking care of our home, Gallaudet! A lot will happen this week- more walk-outs, shut-downs, and a huge march- plus faculty will continue to confront Irving and Jane.
*UNITY FOR GALLAUDET!
»DE


From Tom Holcomb in response to DE
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:58:44
Thx for the update. Have been hearing many positive things about ur presentations. Now only if jordan and fernandes understood the message... Sigh

From Stacy Gough
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:17:29
Fw: Fac march again now!
Fyi - fac march again now...
-----Original Message-----
From: Ella Lentz
Subject: Fac march again now!
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:13:19 -0700

From Colin Piotrowski
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:20:43
Re: Fw: Fac march again now!
Whoa look like Tom's idea of standing in line with signs while fac enter campus last monday sure paid off!! We gave 'em that confidence.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 4:17 pm, Stacy Gough wrote:
>Fyi - fac march again now...

From Stacy Gough
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:41:44
-----Original Message-----
From: Ella Lentz
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:38:10 -0700
Asked fac here. No faculty terminated (not yet) But one staff on adm leave cuz of involv with protest. Shame on the adm!
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 7:25 pm, Stacy Gough wrote:
>Any truth here?
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Colin Piotrowski
>Subject: Re: Fw: Fac march again now!
>Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:23:05 -0700
>HEard that non tenure fac/staff got the pink slips after marching to Jordan's house?? He eyed the crowd and sent out pink slips. Pls tell me that's not true?

From Stacy Gough
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:12:03
Fw: Tidbit
-----Original Message-----
From: Ella Lentz
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:04:12
Want share that GUKCC apparently was told not to let alumni register for room there eeven tho there shd be about 20 rooms left. Understand JKF has been sleeping there on same floor as our room! (4th room)...heard she hasn't been home the past 2 weeks except for 2 nights.
Photocopy or words of memo found there will be posted in a blog...maybe gufssa...tonight...discriminatory!


From Karina Pedersen
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:35:35
the general idea of the rally....
announced we no longer recognize king as our univ president
parents making comments..
zibby: flew from california 3k miles to support our children... want to show 100% support... parents had meeting this morning will have meeting tmr with king
question: sorenson willing to get 5milion back???
sorenson: we focus on deaf ppl needs... need vp access, need
interpreter.... the 5 millions is different level from sorenson....
we will postpone that ceremony for groundbreaker.... dunno when
ryan commerson: we think everyone needs to undyu why sorenson provide interpreters cuz we need communication access... sicne pr office say no to pay for gis to provide interpreters....
everyone cheered
we are suffering the oppression and injustice from the university so
that's the purpose of the sorenson's involvement.....
rally over...

press release
gallaudet university
oct 17 2006
11 30pm
dr jordan,
in your public relations campagin against gu student, fac, alumni,
others, you asked whether students shld be allowed to take over the
university. this question is ridiculous. of course, none of us think
the students shld take over the university
by this strategy, you are engaging in a clever media campaign geared to portray serious community concerns only as agrouip of unruly students instigated by a small group of disgruntled faculty. your campagin is designed to divert the public from the real issues of the protest and its both insulting and unfair.
it is you who are instiigating the students by your refusakl to open
your eyes and mind to the many voices that are beseeching you to addres real issues. these issues have been repeatedly raised before you not only by students, but by faculty, alumni, staff, clerc teachers and staff, parents, friends of gallaudr. even your longtime friends and colleagues are imploring you to end this tragedy by acknowledging jane fgernandeas cannot lead this university.
dr jordan, please cease this reprehensible public relation campaign. it wrongly portrays our students who care deeply for gallaudet's future. it is seriously damaging the integrity of th university, the future opportunities for deaf people.
there is only one issue before us now: jane fernandes does not have the suppot of the faculty, students, alumni, and staff of gallaudet
university, and thus, there is no hope that she can lead this university.
stakeholders united for gallaudet.
*(sorry abt typos... am typing from what the flyer is being
distributed) thumbs tired hahaah

4 Key Points For All of Us & the Media!!!

Please copy, paste, and distribute widely!!!

From Alyce Lentz
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:13:49
One more thing before I hit the sack...
I attended a neeting to prepare ourselves when we are approached by the media. Here is what I learned: we need to keep our focus on just FOUR points:
1. This protest was initiated by people of color on campus which escalated. Right now it is no longer limited to Gallaudet community. It has gone global.
2. This protest will not stop. Period. Until JK resigns and the University starts the search process over again.
3. The BOT must show leadership, not be led by the President.
4. JK has failed in her leadership on campus over 11 years. Promised made were not followed through, especially on issues on audism, racism, etc.
The media tends to sway from the focus. So when the media points away from the focus, we must bring it back to these four points.
Rick, Val, and I have learned soooo much from this aspect of protest!!!!
The group consists of fantastic people, including Tara!!
Now I'm hitting the sack. Good night. Hugs to Fremont Village from Gallaudet Village!!!

The Day's Updates from Our Locals in DC

From Maureen Klusza
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 3:33 pm
Just learned that jordan emailed campus saying homecoming has been cancelled.

From Roberta Daniels, responding to Maureen
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 5:45 pm
This invites more chaos at gally, but it will also bring more people together I believe! Deafhood workshops are given through the day and the room has been packed for the whole time!

From Colin Piotrowski
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:52:46
Subject Deafhood workshops
Yes the 3-5pm session is even more packed than the first one! Curious to see the 6pm session as it's 3 hour long. (Before it was 2 hrs). Due to public demand they've added one more tomorrow: 930am
I'm on my way to Dulles

From Alyce Lentz
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:40:
Subject Awesome sight!!!

All faculty held a candlelight vigil/march from SAC to IKJ's home. IKJ came out. Demands were requested. There was a brief dialogue between fac reps and irv. Then he said thanks and left. We walked to the side entrance nearest his office where three fac - Donalda, MJ, and a non-tenured fac spelled out the plans. One of them is that the fac will hold classes all day in the front!! Another is that they will take over the gates from 8 pm to 8 am on Friday while the students can take a much needed rest!! Right now we are at MPR/Rathskellar for a rally at 9. Awesome!!!!!! I'm physically exhausted but energetic at the same time!!!! Pass thus on!!!!

From Alyce Lentz
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:47:50
One more thing... Staff is having a meeting right now. It began at 6:30 and it hasn't ended yet. I'm sure a lot of them are having a serious soul-searching time!!!

From Ginny Malzkuhn (forwarded to her from her daughter, Melissa)
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:29:33
Subject Fw: standing outside kings palace


From Roberta Daniels
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:28:
Yes, the protest is far from its end. But students are determined and dedicated to making sure that the protest is still on. They make a fort for everyone at gally. That makes them heros in the protest! They stay awake at the front gate through frosty nights and welcome incoming and outgoing participants unconditionally. Its incredible to see where they are now including a group on hunger strike. If you can go to Gally, GO there now! They were VERY delighted when the alumni took over the gate through the night last Sat. Exhausation and frustration are found everywhere on the campus, your support will make a great difference! IKJ and JK are delusional, but they re at the wit's end, too. Let's stay strong and collective until they give up! It won't take too long before the regime gives up! :)

Whose behavior was truly unacceptable?? by Michele Berke

Michele Berke, who is Tom Holcomb’s wife and Tara and Leala’s stepmother, flew to Washington, D.C. right after hearing about the arrests, wrote this letter. She and Tom flew back today and they are now back in the Bay Area.

Michele also had this to say about her experience in D.C.:
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:46:18
It was incredible...the students are inspiring and amazing. The administration is not. But, they are also getting tired...they need support..moral and physical.

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:05:41
FYI: this was a letter I sent this morning to Coogan, Jordan, Weiner and cc'd Debbie Curtis at Stark's office:


Dear Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan,

As did countless others, I flew to Gallaudet this past weekend to bear witness.

What I saw yesterday as a member of the human tunnel was contrary to what you described in your release regarding "threatening and unacceptable behavior." The students were peaceful, respectful, and quite engaging as they welcomed faculty, staff, fellow students and the Kendall buses to campus. I was inspired by the smiles that the students received in return from the drivers and their passengers.

In fact, the only unacceptable behavior I witnessed was that of your car as it carried Dr. Fernandes into the campus. Dr. Fernandes, of all the people that came through the campus between 5 and 9 a.m., was the only person NOT to make eye contact with the human tunnel. These are the very people for whom she is supposed to be responsible.

In fact, in her meeting with the students last week, Dr. Fernandes stated that she will not discuss the student issues unless the campus was reopened. The campus reopened and Dr. Fernandes has not made an effort to meet with them. She could not even look them in the eye yesterday morning.

You said "good morning" to me as you walked through the human chain to the 6th street gate. Dr. Jordan and Linda Jordan walked through and said good morning. Why is it that Dr. Fernandes, the president-designate, has not done the same thing?

"Threatening and unacceptable behavior"? Absolutely! Dr. Fernandes' behavior is threatening. Her behavior is a threat to the future of Gallaudet. Dr. Fernandes' behavior is unacceptable. A future leader must not sit behind the scenes and have other people state her message for her. A future leader must understand the issues. I have seen her say that she does not. A future leader must be accountable for her behavior. I have seen her play the "deaf card" when every message has been clear that it is not about her not being "deaf enough."

Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan, THAT is what I consider threatening and unacceptable behavior.

With a broken heart,
Michele G. Berke

Tidbits from Our Own during this Turbulent Day!

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:25:38
Subject newsflash!!
85 percent fac voted for jk to RESIGN
91 percent fac voted no confidence in BoT

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:45:48 -0700
Subject: Re: newsflash!!
fac voted no confidence in ikj 54 percent hard long thought on that
topic bec he served gally 18 yrs
On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 4:44 pm, <> wrote:
> Fabulous! What abt jordan?

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:53:36
a fac said this mornings human tunnel touched her and gave her confident to vote. she said to keep up w the human tunnel!

From Stefanie Ellis
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:05:51
this will make an impact!
October 16, 2006
Manifesto from DPN Leaders (http://news.gufssa.com/2006/10/16/manifesto-from-dpn-leaders/)
((Editorial Note: One of them, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, lives in the Bay Area! Go, girl!))

From Roberta Daniels
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:20:58
Results of Faculty meeting Oct 16 2006
(Note: there are 221 eligible voting faculty members at Gallaudet
University; 168 are present at this meeting, representing 76% of
eligible voting faculty)
(same info as found here: http://news.gufssa.com/2006/10/17/summary-from-october-16-faculty-meeting/)

From Roberta Daniels
After the votes were announced, some ppl stood up on platform n shared their sayings:
Donalda ammons: more fac need to stay n support the fort til the univ agrees on the votes
Modified bison song ousting JK
Football player: ftbl game/HC ballrm this sat still ON!
Chris corrigan: thanked gally adm for being vicious cuz it brought many ppl tog all over all over the world! Chanted thank you thank you
Sue mather: faculty's position on voting
Alyce slaater lentz as VP of GUAA Board n has 3 roles...mother of a
gally student
Aaron Loggins UG student inspiring talk abt must go on til JK out!
Chanted JK out!
Tawny holmes: protest tactics will be different starting tonite until
its over! Adm must get angry!
Matt malkzuhn: must use human tunnel at 6th st entrance daily cuz it inspired many fac this morning to vote! Also need to annoy IKJ w/questions til its over
More to come...

From Roberta Daniels
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:08:40
Continued...
Chris corrigan: PR aka lie center lied abt the human tunnel terrifying some people. Not true! Cuz many inspired by it. Chanted who owns this university?! PR changed tactics from allowing one open entrance at 6th st to all must be open as a flyer circulated right bef the announcement abt the votes
Stefanie ellis: alumnae....explained abt how ppl from bay area flew to dc last minute. Shared info abt one member of BOT...cannot name whom but that BOT said it has to be this way jane resigns herself because of obligation ties within the gally board of trustees.
Chris corrigan: w/ a yellow flyer abt deafhood wksp tmw w/ DE, GG n Alyce tmw @ MPR 9pm
Erica parker, miss deaf dc chanted unity for gally and waved ILY w/
everyone. ((Editorial Note: Erica attended CSD Fremont))

From Maureen Klusza
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:12:19
movie tonight outside using a projector showing 3 k miles, I won't quit, and a new movie regarding gally protest

From Tom Holcomb
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:35:08
So what s the mood like among the studentsq happy joyous soberqqq or whatq were the faculty memebers present for the announcementq who made the announcementq media thereq

From Tim Gough
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 01:41:55
Students very thrilled but know this is not over- they know they have to continue to pressure against jane- will do the human tunnel again tmrw! MJ made the announcement. Donalda Ammons gave an inspiring presentation about how we need to continue to unity together. I canot eloborate how many staff were there but I saw some raised hands when donalda asked the staff to raise their hands. Many people were very inspired by the human tunnel. One person said that this experience changed one teacher's vote!

From Stefanie Ellis
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:42:35
spirits are UNBELIEVABLY HIGH! after witnessing the impact that the ordeal last fri had on the students, i can say with all certainity that we are BACKKKKK and in my heart of hearts i have no doubt that we shall O V E R C O M E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

((the following are thoughts from local people who stayed behind, as shared on the Bay Area listserv))

From Michael Mac Aulay
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:42:56
This is probably the most precise coverage by hearing media on the protest, and it is indeed written in our favor!! The pressure is on them now! We shall overcome IrvingBOTs, JKF and IKJ for good!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/16/AR2006101601198.html

From Matilda Lonn
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 02:46:28
Yes, very good article!!! Thanks, Michael for sharing this article!
I hope to see more of that in other newspapers as well. It seems more and more positive now - today's votes from the fac; that gives more evidence on that Jane is not the best fit!
I also want to take time now and thank you for all your hard work on this - it's really wonderful to see how united bay areans are for the best interest of our beloved Gallaudet! All the students, staff and alumni that are at Gallaudet protesting- brave and strong! We're behind you!
Waiting with all excitement for more positive updates. :)

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:54:01
From Michael Mac Aulay
It was clear all along he had plans of paving the way for fernandes to claim presidency. The biggest question of all, WHY? This calls for a must for an internal audit committee comprised of people who have vested interests in Gallaudet to investigate any possible fraudalent activities during jordan's reign. Because I do not see why he really would want get his hands so dirty on this matter especially at the end of his reign where he should keep his "legacy" intact as anyone would in his shoes.

Butch Zein's Open Letter

From Butch Zein
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:59:10
Fyi..here's my ltr to BOT.

Open Letter to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

Dear Honorable Chair, Ms. Brenda Bruggeman and Board of Trustees:

I wish to call your attention to the oft controversial phrase of “Uncle Tom” within the African-American culture. I have gleaned the definition of these terms from Wikipedia:

Uncle Tom is a pejorative for a black person who is perceived by other blacks as subservient to white authority figures, or as seeking ingratiation with them by way of unnecessary accommodation. It is commonly used to describe black people whose political views or allegiances are considered by critics detrimental to blacks as a group.

Let me attempt to define Uncle Tom in the context of Deaf Culture and replacing the term Tom to Irving for clarity.
Uncle Irving is a pejorative for a deaf person who is perceived by other deaf people as subservient to authority audists, or as seeking ingratiation with them by way of unnecessary accommodation. It is commonly used to describe deaf people whose political views or allegiances are considered by critics detrimental to Deaf culture.

The new meaning immediately brought me to you all as well as Jordan and Fernandes, Uncle Irving, sadly described you all to its every letter. Not one of you has attempted to open an honest dialogue with faculty, staff, students and alumni. Not one of you has attempted to validate our concerns on the selection process. Not one of you have responded letters sent from hundreds of concerned faculty, staff, student and alumni. Not one of you have stood up and intervene I. King Jordan when he deliberately ordered arrests of protesters during night time which compromised the visual acuity and thus crippling the communication endeavors amongst themselves.

I, along with the rest of the Deaf Community world wide, was aghast to witness such an atrocious and unspeakable act from a deaf person to another. Never have we witnessed such oppression within our culture until that night which shall go down in history as Deaf’s Black Night. You all have shunned yourselves from what was unfolding before our eyes. Your silence is deafening. Your inactivity had led I. King Jordan to use tactics was by far detrimental to us as a whole. In essence, the Board of Trustees has failed us.

NAD, GUAA and FSSA has already made it clear that the situation has spun out of control. You cannot wash your hands off from this mess. You all are ultimately responsible for everything that happened at Kendall Green. Are you willing to remain as Uncle Irving as the fissure gets deeper and deeper? How far are you willing to go to appease audists? Don’t be an Uncle Irving and stand up for social justice! It is time for you all to take over and restore Gallaudet University’s stellar reputation and to pave way for a brighter future. We will stand behind you as you make necessary changes to bring about positive changes. Together…we will make Gallaudet University stronger and brighter than ever before! The time is now!

Gallaudetially yours,
George “Butch” Zein, Class of ‘89

DCARA Open Letter

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Dear: Ms. Brenda Brueggerman, Interim Chair, Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

Members, Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA), one of the first Deaf-run agencies in the country to provide a range of comprehensive services to Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area, reiterates its support to the Faculty Staff Student Alumni Coalition (FSSA) which has demanded that the Gallaudet University’s Board of Trustees re-open the Presidential search process (including the resignation of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as the 9th President) and that there be no reprisals against the students, alumni, staff and faculty who are involved in this protest. We share the same sentiments that the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Gallaudet University Alumni Association, Faculty Officers’ Advisory Committee, and many concerned Deaf communities across America have expressed – that the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees and the I. King Jordan administration take immediate and constructive action to restore open dialogue trust and credibility at the University.

Gallaudet is the world’s only liberal arts university for the Deaf. Gallaudet is a symbol of hope for all Deaf people living in America and worldwide who want to further their education and develop their leadership skills. Gallaudet is synonymous with the ideals of leadership, innovation and open dialogue among people. People have, for 142 years since the establishment of Gallaudet in 1864, looked to Gallaudet to be the epitome of these ideals. Unfortunately, this long-standing international reputation has been seriously tarnished in recent days by the Board of Trustees’ lack of leadership and lack of action and by the blatant disregard of FSSA’s demands by President I. King Jordan and his administration.

The Board of Trustees did not take proactive steps at its biannual meeting last week to increase communication among the many constituents at Gallaudet University. The Board of Trustees has not quelled the increasing discord that is happening on Gallaudet’s campus. As a result, the Board of Trustees has shown its ineffectiveness as a governing Board and should take responsibility for allowing the tensions on campus to escalate further.

In addition, President Jordan’s administration has severely damaged its credibility by the lack of leadership in effectively addressing FSSA’s concerns the last few months. The administration has had chances to address the issues of discordance with the campus as a whole. Instead, President Jordan proclaimed at the National Association of the Deaf Biennial Convention in July that “there was no crisis at Gallaudet.” And, instead, President Jordan has not allowed Gallaudet University Alumni Association access to its own email list to communicate with alumni. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the crisis at Gallaudet has reached a boiling point now.

Board of Trustees: We were waiting in May. We are still waiting. Please step forward now. Please listen to our concerns. Please act accordingly to implement leadership and dialogue among all constituents that will truly restore Gallaudet’s once stellar reputation as an educational institution that cultivates tomorrow’s Deaf leaders.

United for a better Gallaudet,

James R. Brune Kenneth Mikos

Interim Chief Executive Officer President, DCARA Board of Directors

CC: Barbara Boxer, United States Senator, California
Diane Feinstein, United States Senator, California

CC: Faculty Staff Student Alumni Coalition (FSSA)

CC: Noreen Yates, Vice President, DCARA Board of Directors

Don Baer, Secretary, DCARA Board of Directors
Dodi Ellis, Treasurer, DCARA Board of Directors
Clark Brooke, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Jenny Cantrell, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Cat Cassidy, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Raine Cheng, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Charles Farr, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Timothy Gough, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Jeannie Leighton, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Michael Mac Aulay, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Karina Pedersen, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Elisabeth Ann Prinz, Member, DCARA Board of Directors
Phillip Smith, Member, DCARA Board of Directors

What does Gally look like today? :)

(Wa-hoo! We ARE making a difference and contributing! Keep it up, Bay Area!!!)
- Jenny

From Colin Piotrowski
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:58:52

If you can see there about 70 tent cities across USA and some carton work done by Moe. [Maureen Klusza]

Is it a Presidency or is it a Monarchy?

Another hastily drawn sketch done last week. Enjoy.

The 6th St. Entrance drama

From Roberta Daniels
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:23:03

This morning the protestors stood in a tunnel at the 6th st entrance with signs and chants from 5am to 9am. The students stood by the gate and the alumni down the road near ole jim pleading fac n staff arriving to vote against JK's presidency this aftn at a scheduled fac mtg. Guess who drove by among hundreds, Jane Fernandes and Mercy Cogan! They came in a white sedan and Mercy was driving. When they reached the alumni section, most went to the front of the car and asked Jane to resign along with frustrated remarks face to face with her. After 2 or 3 minutes, the group spread out and Jane was visibly shakened up and looked like she is heading for a mental breakdown as Mercy steered away talking on a cell phone. The vote this afternoon carries an enormous effect on the shaping of the protest!

Sure feels like we're in some fantasy film, doesn't it??

From Stacy Gough
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 8:34 am

Anyone have tickets to emerald city??

Jordan needs a brain
Jane needs a heart
BOT needs courage
And gallaudet university needs its home back

Pic of Washington Post

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 04:06:05
page B2 quoted 'Gallaudet Board Says Protest Is Not Its Responsibilty'

Human Tunnel!

From Tim Gough
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 08:34:08
Again- I cannot sleep! Wow- we re getting ready for human tunnel on 6th exit- all of us will hold posters asking teachers at gally and clerc center to do something! Media vans are coming in now! About 6 vans so far- ! About 20 people have not slept tonight- amongst them include colin, roberta (cleaning up at 430am!), mah, chase whitten, brian morrison, matt malzkuhn, and others non-bay area people. I have conpletely lost track of time here:) but will rest reallly well tonight for my trip back home tmrw-

From Tim Gough
Mon, 16 Oct 2006 7:07:47
Wowow we sent a very powerful message to the gallaudet community- everyone was coming in saying, "yes I know," etc- only few was against it- then there came jane- she did not expect this!! She was very surprised but couldn't back off! I captured her moments on a video from my camera that ill share:) fac will have its vote today whether to askjane to resign or not at 4pm.

From Tim Gough
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 6:11:08 +0000
About 100 showed up at "human tunnel" at 6th exit at 545am! More coming!

From Tim Gough
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 6:15:36
200 at 615am!
(Human tunnel getting longer)

Ohlone College unanimously calls for JK's resignation!

(emailed to Dr. Fernandes and CC'd to all Board of Trustees' e-mail addresses found on this blog as well as to the staff members at the Ohlone College Center for Deaf Studies and the people listed below)

October 15, 2006

Dr. Jane K. Fernandes,

We, the faculty members of the Ohlone College Center for Deaf Studies, have agreed unanimously to declare our support for the Gallaudet University students’ protest.

We are dismayed at the mounting evidence of your inability to respond to the issues raised by the students and the larger University community as well as the growing crescendo from the global community interested in the welfare of Deaf people.

Your lack of ability to lead is well documented from both the Pre-College and the Gallaudet University faculty who have given you vote of no confidence.

We ask that you, Dr. Jane Fernandes, do something now which is long overdue. It is time for you to do a soul searching and begin a process of self realization and accountability of what you have done to cause this protest.

We are in full support for the healing process to begin. However, it has to begin with you first. For the betterment of the University and the Deaf community, respectfully submit your resignation as the president-designate.

Thank you,

Ohlone College Center for Deaf Studies

Sandra D. Ammons
Sandra Lee “Bunny” Klopping
Nan Zhou
Alyce Slater Lentz
William Wong
Nancy Pauliuknois
Claire Ellis
Thomas K. Holcomb
Shelley Lawrence
Joe McLaughlin, Dean

Cc: Board Members
FSSA
GUAA
NAD

Updates from Our People in D.C.!

From Colin Piotrowski
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 15:36:24
Good nbr of people here







From Nora Yates
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 15:56:37
kdes n mssd wil open tmw but the university wil remain closed the protest wil continue..several reps from george washington university came to tel us they support us all the way! ;)
~nay

From Maureen Klusza
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 17:21:19 -0700

We just had an alumni meeting at front of chapel hall (am learning names of buildings around here quickly, since I'm a rit alumni) and we all agreed that we all will be standing together as alumnis at 6th st gate tmw am from 5am to 9am so when fac drives in and see us standing in lines between the road, passing one by one of us before lines of students -- we will have signs w us begging for them to help us.

We also discussed about wearing red (bloodly red) shirts on friday when the homecoming weekend starts...

I'm now at fowler hall working on signs and new cartoon strips....

maureen*

From Nora Yates
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:39:19 -was wrong the university will be opentmw as well..dunno what the students will do as of 937pm tonight a good nbr of students r still blocking the front gate..

From Roberta Daniels in response to a question
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:39:36
The protest is unique as nothing is fixed around here. Things evolve around the clock...for example, there re two options about what to do tomorrow night and two diff grps are saying the other way. I guess we will find out soon. :)
On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 9:24 pm, Stacy Gough wrote:
Someone just brought up a thought/rumor. Is homecoming going to be cancelled - due to football team being part of the protest
--stace

From Tom Holcomb
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:02:14
My plan is to show up and be part of the human tunnel as the faculty arrive to work to send them a stong message that they must take action.. Let me know if the plan changes. I need to take a break tonite.. Hope u all ubnderstand

Love u all and thanks for being here

Xoxo
--holcomb

From Tom Holcomb
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:29:10 -0700

Another long day another day of roller coaster emotions.... The alumni night last nite was successful with a huge turnout.... I slept in leala s tent first time I ve slept in a tent in 20 years and it was freezing too.... For those who do not know me I hate the cold weather so it was a big deal for me.. Nevertheless I was glad I did it as it helkped me appreciate the students even more as they have to do it every night for the past two weeks

Had a good alumni meeting this morning to stratwize our involvement as alumni. The afternoon was rather chaotic as no one knew what was going on all stufent leaders were in meetings...but it worked out ok at the end with a successful press conference with fac staff student alumni reps denouncing the selection process and the arrest of the sttudents. In the evening we had a successful rally at 6pm with hundreds and hundreds of people in attendance. Interim provost started with an announcement that the college will be open tomorrow. Then the tent city mayor told everyone that the college is open because we agreed to it .. Not because it was imposed on us... The. Different speakers came on the stage showing their support for jane to resign.

Tonite at 11 there will be a final rally and if the plan remains the same.. We ll be up early in the am to fiorm a human tunnel at the 6th street entrance to presure the faculty to make a strong stand against jane at their faculty meting tmw afternoon

That s the report from me.

Tom
--holcomb

Words from a philospher...

From Reyes Ribera
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 17:10:05
(From harlan lane's "mask of benevolence")

"The real political task.... Is to criticize the working of institutions that appear to be both neutral and independent; to criticize them in such a manner that the political violence which has always exercised itself obscurely through them will be unmasked so that one can fight them." Michel Foucault, 1974
~~Reyes~~

New Wikipedia page on Gallaudet Protests

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallaudet_United_Now_Movement

Distribute it to people and have them expand on this page so we can continue to show the world the timeline, history of what happened.

Robin Horwitz
__._,_.___

Open Letter to Irv from Don Grushkin

To Dr. I.K. Jordan:
In Honor of Your 18-Year Legacy

Dr. Jordan:

I am writing to you with much sadness for you and Gallaudet University in the aftermath of your arrests, with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees, of the student protestors.

In 1988, 18 years ago, you were swept into office on a wave of student and alumni protest much like the one occurring at this time. All over the country and the world, people were expressing support for an end to the “plantation mentality”.

18 years. One full generation. 18 years later, you have arrested the children of the very same protestors who helped put you into office. In arresting the students, you have exhibited the very same “plantation mentality” of a slaveowner by attempting to quash a rebellion by force instead of words and negotiation.

18 years ago, you were hailed as a hero, embodying a hope for a better Gallaudet and Deaf future. You were the hope of seeing the dual manacles of audism and racism, which had held our collective hands down and silenced, shattered and transformed into Deaf-centric practices.

In 2006, 18 years later, you are now being viewed as a villain. In 18 years which is presumably enough time to at least make progress toward ending audism and racism on campus, you and your administration apparently have done almost nothing to change this. Indeed, you and your administration have maintained audist and racist practices on campus which have led to the current need for students to rise up this year.

18 years ago, you applauded the student protestors for the strength of their convictions, stating that they “had seized an idea with such force that it became a reality”. 18 years later, you belittle the student protestors as mere “dissenters”. Can it be that when the students rise up in support of you, it is a positive thing, but when they object to decisions that you and your administration have made, they are no longer in the right?

You had the opportunity to end your 18-year term on a positive note. Indeed, the Deaf community was prepared to see you out on a celebratory note. Instead, your legacy has been irreparably tarnished, if not utterly destroyed, by heavy-handed tactics you have employed against the protestors.

In the Jewish culture and religion, the number 18 is represented by the Hebrew letter “Chai”, which also means “life”. You may think that the arrests means a death to the protests. However, you may have unwittingly created the birth of a stronger, more cohesive Deaf community united toward ending the practices of audism and racism on campus as well as in our lives. Every great social protest movement seems to have had some defining moment of shock or horror perpetrated by oppressors which has served only to galvanize instead of quell their activism. In the American Revolution, it was the Boston Massacre. In France, it was hearing Marie Antoinette say “let them eat cake”. During the Vietnam War, it was the shootings at Kent State University. The Gay Pride movement was kick-started after the Stonewall Riot. I am not hesitant to foresee that future historians will see the true rebirth of Deaf Pride occurring not when Jane Spillman uttered the infamous line “Deaf people are not ready to function in a Hearing world”, but when our own President, the President we had helped put there, turned against his own constituency by having them arrested. Deaf people all over the country have been shocked and angered by what you have done. Out of anger and shock, comes a renewed determination not to let such things happen again.

Dr. Jordan, take a look at your legacy. It may not be what you had hoped it to be. It is now not what it could have been. But ultimately, it will be a good one, as a result of your having forgotten who you are and how you got to where you are.

L’Chaim (“To Life”) Unity for Gallaudet! L’Chaim Deafhood!

Donald A. Grushkin, Ph.D. ’85, ‘88
Newark, CA

Urgent Call for Help with Media in D.C.!

A Shout-Out from Stefanie Ellis:

help needed for getting our side out to the media!!!! a committee to work on creating a kit to distribute! it will include excerpts from letters written that made a powerful impact...we cannot possibly go thru all of it ourselves (too much on our plate) so if u could go thru them on www.gufssa.org and send to me and maryann at mary_ann@tmail.com asap.
thanks!

(Those e-mail addresses to send to are :
steffi@tmail.com and
mary_ann@tmail.com
--Jenny)

Unity for Gallaudet ribbons!

Marsha Helmuth has spent a great deal of time making beautiful buff and blue ribbons. If you'd like one, see her in her classroom in the Middle School at CSD during her lunch time, which is 12:00 through 12:45 Mondays through Thursdays or see her after school.

$1 donation suggested

New message: BoT NEEDS TO COME NOW!

This morning's update as reported by our local people who are there now...

From Tom Holcomb
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:06:27
Md alumni are wonderful now with lots of food blankets tarp etc being brought in
--holcomb

{This is how collective we are, which is so wonderful to see! Since many of the people now in D.C. would have attended CAD’s 100th anniversary gala, David Eberwein sent this to the people in D.C. to let them know how things went yesterday.}
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:11:45
Cool! FYI yesterday's CAD gala was too wonderful to describe in words. Pitch-perfect, from the morning tribute to the arrestees during GG's and my presentation, thru Joey's activity where "mini think tanks" were done, thru the exciting PowerPoints of exhibitors (Deaf wax, Chad's mosdeux, Joey's vlog, etc.), and the absolutely stunning Deafhood monologues play @ the old csd theater (absolutely stunning- I'm telling u!), and the reception in the old cafeteria where David proposed to Alyce! Honestly, can't describe enuff here, but it was the most perfect Deaf-centered conference EVER! And that feeling, that awareness.. Shd be like that every day at Gallaudet, in our lives, etc.

{Rory’s response to DE’s page updating them on the CAD gala}
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:13:55 From
That's so good to hear. Sent shivers up mý spine. This revolution is all about our evolution.
ΔŘHØΩ

From Rory Osbrink
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:16:36
Press conf now by alumni, fac n students it seems...
ΔŘHØΩ

Info from Delanne Woodall-Hamlow
) Pls come to Gally NOW. Press / media at 1 pm. Need a large ##### of
Alumni rep here today pls pls pls
2) Tmw am Alumni needed at 6th Street to form "human tunnel" with
posters stating to Faculty pleading for their stronger action
Alumni guys to wear ties and females dress up ...
AGAIN clarification on posters...focus is on Faculty for them to take
stand...their turn...do something....support the students... Nothing on
JK or King. Just on the Fac's support needed. That is all...
3) This is what Alumni is doing now to try to help the students in this
fight.
Thanks and Long live Gallaudet!

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 11:34:21
dr scoggins just spoke to the media demanding BoT to be here - to take over the adm part. NAD had offered their assitance in mediating between adm and the fssa. adm declined. scoggins pointed that its not abt deaf card color of skin card whatsoevr. its abt leadership. adm is incompetent - not able to take the lead and resolve. BoT need to be here now. its international problem.

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:29:59
scoggins had a word w us. maybe "jk resign now" message isn't working anymore. send a new message to the new world - BOT HERE NOW!
chanted bot here now bot here now

From Stefanie Ellis
Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:07:42
lots of excitement last night and today.....bobbie beth scoggins nad prez cur her vacation short and arrived late last night and gave a rousing speech declaring nad's support for jk to resign and insisting that the BOT come here. today big news conference w students, fac, staff speaking in front of a crowd of cameras.....bobbie beth spoke w reporters and they ate up her words!!! very positive and a strong message was sent. then all of a sudden fire trucks arrived and rushed to fowler hall.....turned out just to be an old boiler in the steam room. then just now bobbie beth gave an uplifting speech to the crowd.....BOT here! BOT here! BOT here! some of us are now working on developing a media kit to start gettin the media to see OUR angle and not only from jordan's PR machine.

3 new ones from our very own Maureen Klusza

www.moeart.com/blog

10 pm to 2 am shift!

The Bay Area people took the 10 pm to 2 am shift at the gates Saturday night! This is a compilation of the updates we got during the day.

From Rory Osbrink
Date Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:40:21
Lets see what is the plan for todaý. I know alumni will replace students at front gate at 5 and host entertainment and cooking. I ll be at front

From Stefanie Ellis
Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:27
the latest shipment of bay areans is offically here! it all feels so surreal.....can't believe we're actually here! alumni is hosting a rally and kevin kovacs & jay kreeger (from indy) are firing up the crowd with their inspirational words!


From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:54
rally now. mj kk andy lange students n more shared a few words. there is hope. kk says do not give up. started a chant resign resign resign students attitude is like this will go on until jk resigns. students are thrilled to have alumni - many of em here. many flew in today. sang happy bday to chris corrigan

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:58:53
lots of pep talk by kk :) soon bay areans are going to regroup n eat out. get ready for our shift 10pm to 2am guard the front gate

From Stefanie Ellis
Sat, 14 Oct 2006 18:38:30
Just ate dinner at chipotle's in chinatown and now enroute to gally to relieve the students at the gate so they can rest up....many are exhausted esp after last night's ordeal. while walking up to car to nurse landen, bumped into ben soukup. told him we're happy he is here with us but where are the other BOT's? he said there weren't any others...just himself. asked why the BOT hasn't intervened...this is a tragic situation for gally. ben said they feel the responsiblity for handling this situation lies with jordan....told him it was b-e-y-o-n-d that now....the crisis is way greater and it is time BOT stepped in and made a difference for gallaudet!!! he nodded and said he plans to gather info to share with other BOTs.....he seemed concerned and contemplative, slightly sad and tired. also talked with tim rarus, he said he has a criminal record now from being arrested last nite but felt it was worth it for this cause!!!! says arrests could happen again if jordan decides it is necessary. we are now watching jane's mtg w students from this afternoon being replayed via LCD on a large white sheet by the main entrance. soon we are going to stand guard from 10pm to 2am (bay area shift) so the students can rest after such an emotional night last night!

From Mary Ann Hencker Mac Aulay
Date Sat, 14 Oct 2006 22:13:00
bobbie beth scoggins decided to cut her vacation short. flew in this eve from mexico. she gave an eloquent speech as tom holcomb put it. nad will write an open letter requesting jk to resign!

From Karina Pedersen
Date Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:05:56
Alumni has been a blessing, taking over the gate tonight. Tom and Rory along w FSSA leaders are currently taking a break together. Having a mental break and a good time.
They'll be all set to fight tomorrow and so on...
When I know more, I'll let u know!
.:: karina ::.

From Tom Holcomb
Date Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:49:20
Subject Re: How's it going?
Doing good thx for checking wonderful to have bay area folks here...
--holcomb

From Tom Holcomb
Date Sun, 15 Oct 2006 01:13:13
It s 4am and aboyt 50 alumni still at the front gate...
--holcomb

CALL Congresspeople!

Thanks to Stacy Eilbert Gough again

ITS TIME TO CALL MORE CONGRESSMEN AND GET THEM INFORMED!!!

What can you do?

1. Call EACH person in Congress (www.house.gov and www.senate.gov to find yours)

2. When you reach them on the phone - if you get an answering machine...you
can repeat this statement

"Hi my name is (your name). I want to make you aware of the current
situation at Gallaudet University in Washington DC and the outrage from the larger
community including alumni, family members of students, Deaf people, and many
other bystanders watching. There was a flawed process in the selection of the
9th president of Gallaudet University and they want to be heard - they do not
want Dr. Fernandes presiding the university. There has been very little
support and votes of "no confidence" in Dr. Fernandes' ability to lead this
cherished and renowned place called Gallaudet. The University's Public Relations
office has continued to cover up flaw after flaw made by the University's
administration and the Board of Trustees. The administration continues to
distort images of what is really happening. I am requesting your immediate
intervention. The community wishes for two things to happen:
1. Dr. Fernandes to resign and to re-open the search for a new president of
Gallaudet
2. no reprisals be given to any faculty member, staff member, or student
for their involvement in this protest.
Thank you for your time"

3. When you are done with calling congressmen in California, go to this link
and click on each state and go through the list of congressmen and repeat
the statement from #2.

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

BE SURE TO FORWARD TO OTHERS ANYWHERE!

UNITY FOR GALLAUDET AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR DEAF PEOPLE!

WRITE TO Fernie!!!

Again, thank you to Stacy Eilbert Gough and Stefanie Ellis!
***
Email Addresses (copy and paste directly into your To: and CC: fields)
SEND EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu

COPY & PASTE THE FOLLOWING INTO THE “CC” SECTION OF YOUR EMAIL:
brueggemann.1@osu.edu
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us
sjsuz@aol.com
thumphries@ucsd.edu
frankhwu@wayne.edu
bsoukup@c-s-d.org
hgoodstein@cox.net
cheppner@nvrc.org
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov
lrkinney@wi.rr.com
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu
provost@gallaudet.edu
president@nad.org
andylange@juno.com
supportusgally@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR EMAIL TO
McCain and Woolsey via their website as well!!!

Form Letter

October 2006

Dear Dr. Fernandes,

Since your appointment as President Designate of Gallaudet University, I, along with scores of others in the deaf community throughout the nation and the world, have been keeping close track of the events from afar. Gallaudet holds a very special place in our hearts; therefore it is an emotionally wrenching time for many of us.

You must know that the reason for the upheaval, not only at Gallaudet but the deaf community throughout the nation and the world, is your refusal to step down as the President Designate.

You must realize that your continued refusal to step down from your position is what is fueling the situation and deepening the divide at Gallaudet, thus disrupting the education of Gallaudet students, the work of Gallaudet faculty and staff, and the reputation of the deaf community.

Countless letters have been sent from people all over the world. Petitions have been signed by the thousands. Formal letters from national organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association were sent. Resolutions were drafted. Rallies have been held throughout the world.

All have expressed their disappointment at the Board of Trustees’ and your lack of understanding of the deep resentment of the selection process leading to your appointment for the most visible position within the deaf community, and their lack of confidence in you to lead Gallaudet..

The university’s Faculty and Senate in addition to the Student Assembly of Gallaudet’s Student Body Government have taken official votes declaring its lack of confidence in you as the next president of Gallaudet.

In addition, the larger Gallaudet community and the Deaf people throughout the world have also declared a vote of "No Confidence" in your ability to lead. With these declarations, it is clear that you are the wrong choice for the position of Gallaudet University's president. You are the wrong choice for the position because you would not be able to properly represent the community that Gallaudet stands for and serves.

However, you can help restore our beloved Gallaudet in a different way. If you truly care about Gallaudet, you will respectfully abide by the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community’s wishes and resign with grace and dignity, thus allowing for healing to finally begin.

Sincerely,
(your name)

Detailed Contact Info... just FYI

Jane K. Fernandes (President Designate)
202 651-5085 T
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu

Dr. I. King Jordan, President
president@gallaudet.edu

Dr. Brenda Jo Brueggemann, Acting Chair
(614) 268-3555
brueggemann.1@osu.edu

Dr. Cynthia Ashby, Trustee
(404) 656-2596, (404) 651-8507 fax
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us

Susan J. Elliott, Trustee
sjsuz@aol.com

Dr. Tom Humphries, Trustee
thumphries@ucsd.edu

Frank H. Wu, Trustee
frankhwu@wayne.edu

Benjamin K. Soukup, Jr., Trustee
(605) 332-0822
bsoukup@c-s-d.org

Dr. Harvey Goodstein, Trustee
hgoodstein@cox.net
(480) 538-8306

Cheryl Heppner, Trustee
(540) 667-9367
cheppner@nvrc.org

Pamela Holmes, Trustee
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com

Nancy Kelly-Jones, Trustee
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov

Richard Kinney, Trustee
lrkinney@wi.rr.com

Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, Trustee
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Trustee
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com

The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, Trustee
Email address located at: http://www.woolsey.house.gov/

The Honorable John McCain, Trustee
Email address located at: McCain.senate.gov

Patricia M. Kunkle, Executive Assistant to the President/Board Liaison
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu

Michael Moore (Interim Provost)
provost@gallaudet.edu

FSSA
supportusgally@gmail.com

Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD President
president@nad.org

Andy Lange, GUAA President
andylange@juno.com

Locate Your Local Senators Here!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Locate Your Local Representatives Here!
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

NEED TO LOCATE EMAIL FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Bill Graham, BOT Secretary

Ken H. Levinson, Trustee
(650) 692-7347 or (650) 563-9984

Frank Ross, Trustee

Christopher D. Sullivan, Trustee

Charles V. Williams, Trustee

SEND EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu

COPY & PASTE THE FOLLOWING INTO THE “CC” SECTION OF YOUR EMAIL:
brueggemann.1@osu.edu
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us
sjsuz@aol.com
thumphries@ucsd.edu
frankhwu@wayne.edu
bsoukup@c-s-d.org
hgoodstein@cox.net
cheppner@nvrc.org
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov
lrkinney@wi.rr.com
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu
provost@gallaudet.edu
president@nad.org
andylange@juno.com
supportusgally@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR EMAIL TO
McCain and Woolsey via their website as well!!!

BOMBARD the Board of Trustees with emails!!!

Thanks to Stacy Eilbert Gough and Stefanie Ellis for doing this!!!
***
Knowing that many of you want to help in any way possible, here is a great way to do something to SHOW OUR SUPPORT for the cause!

Presenting:
CommUNITY FOR GALLAUDET Email Campaign!

We need to SHOW how many of us are behind the protest ALL THE WAY!

This form letter was created to this form letter was created to
WAKE UP THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO MEET OUR DEMANDS!

You will find two items in this entry:

BOT Contact List
BOT Form Letter

Copy and paste the Form Letter and get all the email addresses from the Contact List.
Send the letter TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES and CC EVERYONE ELSE ON THE LIST!

IMPORTANT - always cc your letters to FSSA so that they can keep a tally of emails and mailed letters to document and share with media and other key sources.

Time is of essence....SEND THE LETTERS NOW!
We need to get the BOT to see how important this is to the deaf community throughout the world and to realize how many of us are pushing for them to meet the demands!

FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
UNITY FOR GALLAUDET!!!

Email Addresses (copy and paste directly into your To: and CC: fields)
SEND EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:
brueggemann.1@osu.edu
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us
sjsuz@aol.com
thumphries@ucsd.edu
frankhwu@wayne.edu
bsoukup@c-s-d.org
hgoodstein@cox.net
cheppner@nvrc.org
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov
lrkinney@wi.rr.com
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com

COPY & PASTE THE FOLLOWING INTO THE “CC” SECTION OF YOUR EMAIL:
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu
provost@gallaudet.edu
president@nad.org
andylange@juno.com
supportusgally@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR EMAIL TO
McCain and Woolsey (Trustees) via their website as well!!!

Form Letter for the BoT

October 2006

Dear (NAME OF PERSON ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES):

I, along with scores of others in the deaf community throughout the nation and the world, have been keeping close track of the protest at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. Gallaudet holds a very special place in our hearts; therefore it is an emotionally wrenching time for many of us.

Countless letters have been sent from people all over the world to Gallaudet. Petitions have been signed by the thousands. Formal letters from national organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association were sent. Resolutions were drafted. Rallies have been held throughout the country and the world.

All have expressed their disappointment with you as a member of the Board of Trustees. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the deep resentment of the selection process leading to the appointment of Dr. Jane Fernandes for the most visible position within the deaf community. There is a lack of confidence from the community in Dr. Jane Fernandes’ ability to lead Gallaudet. She may seem qualified on paper, but she does not possess the qualifications of a leader and her conduct in the recent weeks and months have given more grounds for justification.

As mentioned numerous times in the past few months, supporters of the Unity for Gallaudet protest are asking for two things to happen:
1). Dr. Jane Fernandes must resign as the 9th president of Gallaudet University and the presidential search must be re-opened.

2). No reprisals be given to any faculty, staff, or student for being a part of this protest.

As you are aware, the university’s Faculty and Senate in addition to the Student Assembly of Gallaudet’s Student Body Government have taken official votes declaring its lack of confidence in Dr. Fernandes as the next president of Gallaudet.

In addition, the larger Gallaudet community and the Deaf people throughout the world have also declared a vote of "No Confidence" in Dr. Fernandes ability to lead. With these declarations, it is clear that the community does not agree with your decision as a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Fernandes is the wrong choice for the position of Gallaudet University's president. She is the wrong choice for the position because she would not be able to properly represent the community that Gallaudet stands for and serves.

To close, I plead of you, a member of the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University. You have the power to restore our beloved Gallaudet. If you truly care about Gallaudet, you will respectfully meet the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community’s two demands, thus allowing for healing to finally begin.

Sincerely,
(Your Name – include your graduating class if you are an alumni)

Detailed Contact Info... just FYI

Jane K. Fernandes (President Designate)
202 651-5085 T
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu

Dr. I. King Jordan, President
president@gallaudet.edu

Dr. Brenda Jo Brueggemann, Acting Chair
(614) 268-3555
brueggemann.1@osu.edu

Dr. Cynthia Ashby, Trustee
(404) 656-2596, (404) 651-8507 fax
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us

Susan J. Elliott, Trustee
sjsuz@aol.com

Dr. Tom Humphries, Trustee
thumphries@ucsd.edu

Frank H. Wu, Trustee
frankhwu@wayne.edu

Benjamin K. Soukup, Jr., Trustee
(605) 332-0822
bsoukup@c-s-d.org

Dr. Harvey Goodstein, Trustee
hgoodstein@cox.net
(480) 538-8306

Cheryl Heppner, Trustee
(540) 667-9367
cheppner@nvrc.org

Pamela Holmes, Trustee
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com

Nancy Kelly-Jones, Trustee
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov

Richard Kinney, Trustee
lrkinney@wi.rr.com

Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, Trustee
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Trustee
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com

The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, Trustee
Email address located at: http://www.woolsey.house.gov/

The Honorable John McCain, Trustee
Email address located at: McCain.senate.gov

Patricia M. Kunkle, Executive Assistant to the President/Board Liaison
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu

Michael Moore (Interim Provost)
provost@gallaudet.edu

FSSA
supportusgally@gmail.com

Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD President
president@nad.org

Andy Lange, GUAA President
andylange@juno.com

Locate Your Local Senators Here!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Locate Your Local Representatives Here!
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

NEED TO LOCATE EMAIL FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Bill Graham, BOT Secretary

Ken H. Levinson, Trustee
(650) 692-7347 or (650) 563-9984

Frank Ross, Trustee

Christopher D. Sullivan, Trustee

Charles V. Williams, Trustee

SEND EMAIL DIRECTLY TO:
brueggemann.1@osu.edu
cashby@doe.k12.ga.us
sjsuz@aol.com
thumphries@ucsd.edu
frankhwu@wayne.edu
bsoukup@c-s-d.org
hgoodstein@cox.net
cheppner@nvrc.org
Pam.holmes@captelmail.com
Nancy.Kelly-jones@illinois.gov
lrkinney@wi.rr.com
Pamela.Lloyd@ncmail.net
RayLaHood@RayLaHood.com

COPY & PASTE THE FOLLOWING INTO THE “CC” SECTION OF YOUR EMAIL:
jane.fernandes@gallaudet.edu
Patti.kunkle@gallaudet.edu
provost@gallaudet.edu
president@nad.org
andylange@juno.com
supportusgally@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR EMAIL TO
McCain and Woolsey (Trustees) via their website as well!!!

101 Things We, the Alumni, Can Do for FSSA

Many thanks to Rita Ribera and Stefanie Ellis for coming up with this list!

(Editorial note: I'd like to add one item to the list - JOIN GUAA!!! We NEED numbers to have a stronger voice. You can join as a "friend" or "supporter." To join, see the link on the right-hand column and click on it.)

1. Donate $$$ to FSSA
2. Raise money for FSSA through bake sales, a-thons, car washes – be creative!
3. Donate needed supplies to FSSA (refer to list on www.gufssa.com)
4. Walk, drive, or fly to Gallaudet as soon as you can to join in on the protest!
5. Come and prepare nuturious meals for the protesters
6. Collect donations to order catering food service to feed the protestors
7. Offer your expertise (making posters and/or banners, etc)
8. Offer emotional support- joke, laugh or cry with them…
9. Offer to take up protestors' shifts so that they can eat, sleep & recuperate!
10. Offer transportation for out-of-town alumni
11. MD/VA/DC Alumni: offer lodging for out-of-town alumni
12. Give a shout-out to your alumni friends to come to the Homecoming
13. Reply to I. King Jordan's open letter to the alumni and CC the BOT, FSSA, GUAA
14. Write to the Board of Trustees
15. Take advantage of any connections you may have with individuals on BOTs- get them to understand the real issues
16. Call your local Senator (contact info found here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm)
17. Contact your local Representative (contact info found here: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml)
18. Establish an Open Forum in your local community and encourage discussion to raise awareness
19. Empower parents of Gallaudet students to express their voice (they truly are our "sleeping giants")
20. Host local rallies to boost spirit and determination to keep on fighting!
21. Invite your local media and newspapers to cover the rally
22. Join your local GUAA chapter ((editorial note: You do not have to be an alum. It is possible to join as a "friend" or "supporter"))
23. Set up a local GUAA chapter if your area does not have one
24. Create vlogs to post online to offer support and encouragement for the protesters
25. Make time to videophone our fellow protesters to let them know you care
26. Write editorials for your local newspaper in support of the protest
27. Be In The Know! Read www.gufssa.org for updates
28. Keep updated through Gallaudet student Elisa's blog: http://www.xanga.com/elisa_abenchuchan
29. Find inside information and ammunition for the battle at www.RidorLive.com
30. Get in touch with other alumni that may not have access to blogs, vlogs, etc and help them understand the gravity of the crisis at Gallaudet
31. Withhold monetary donations to Gallaudet
32. Cancel your monthly electronic contributions
33. Send a VOIDED check to Gallaudet University Alumni Relations in any amount and write "Not Until JKF Resigns!" in the signature line.
34. Cancel any subscriptions from Gallaudet
35. Seek out alumni interested in serving on the Board
36. Purchase "Unity for Gallaudet" T-shirts
37. Purchase a MoeArt T-shirt or item at www.cafepress.com/moeart
38. Boycott from shopping at Gallaudet University Bookstore
39. Boycott from ordering materials from Gallaudet University Press
40. REACH OUT TO YOUR FELLOW ALUMNI & COME TOGETHER TO TAKE BACK GALLAUDET!

Write letters to the editor!!!

((compilation of a few e-mails written and sent by Stacy Eilbert Gough - they include info for the Washington Post, Times, NY Times, various California newspapers, and a letter template))

IKJ just ordered the arrest on students, as reported by Tom Holcomb at about 6:45 pm EST, friday, october 13, 2006...

MUST get word OUT NOW to newspapers. Please use the template letter to the editors of your newspapers. send them to:

1. the Washington Post at letters@washpost.com (requests your home address and phone numbers)

2. the Washington times - go to this website: http://www.washingtontimes.com/contact-us/

3. the New York times -
executive-editor@nytimes.com and managing-editor@nytimes
their phone number is 1-888-NYT-NEWS. TIME IS OF ESSENCE - SEND NOW!!!!!!!!!

UNITY FOR GALLAUDET AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR DEAF PEOPLE!!!

Here is a list of several newspapers that came to mind in the state of California - i'm sorry if i overlooked some newspapers. this is just to help guide those of you.

YES - do copy and paste the template. be sure to do two things:

1. change the salutation (Dear Editor of ...)
2. sign your name and your mailing address (phone number if you have one)

KEEP TYPING AND SENDING...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONTACTS OF EDITORS BELOW:

San Francisco Chronicle
letters@sfchronicle.com

Oakland Tribune
Editor - Mario Dianda
mdianda@angnewspapers.com

San Jose Mercury News
letters@mercurynews.com

Sacramento Bee
Editor - Bill Moore
bmoore@sacbee.com

Associate Editor - Pia Lopez (writes about Education, Law Enforcement)
plopez@sacbee.com

Fresno Bee
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/lets_ed/send/

The Argus (Fremont)
Editor's name - Steve Waterhouse
arguslet@angnewspapers.com

Tri-Valley Herald (Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon)
website at
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/writealetter

Los Angeles Times
website at
http://www.latimes.com/services/site/la-comment-dcbureau,0,4456734.htmlstory

Orange County Register
letters@ocregister.com

Riverside Press Enterprise
Editor - Maria De Varenne
mdevarenne@pe.com


October 2006

Dear Editor of (NEWSPAPER NAME),

A tragedy is happening at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, the world’s only liberal arts college for the deaf and the world must take notice!

The Board of Trustee’s announced last may the selection of the 9th president of this historical institution. Students, faculty, staff and alumni immediately protested the selection of Dr. Jane Fernandes which has escalated in the past 2 weeks.

The rationale underlying the protest is that the selection process was unfair and biased and resulted in the current President’s hand-picked successor.

The protest is asking for two things to happen:
1). Dr. Jane Fernandes must resign as the 9th president of Gallaudet University and the presidential search must be re-opened.

2). No reprisals be given to any faculty, staff, or student for being a part of this protest.

Countless letters have been sent from people all over the world to Gallaudet. Petitions have been signed by the thousands. Formal letters from national organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association were sent. Resolutions were drafted. Rallies have been held throughout the country and the world.

All have expressed their disappointment at the Board of Trustees’ lack of understanding of the deep resentment of the selection process leading to the appointment of Dr. Jane Fernandes for the most visible position within the deaf community, and their lack of confidence in her to lead Gallaudet.

In addition to Gallaudet University Faculty & Senate, and Student Assembly voting “no confidence” with Dr. Fernandes, the larger Gallaudet community and the Deaf people throughout the world have also declared a vote of "No Confidence" in her ability to lead. With these declarations, it is clear that the community does not agree with the Board of Trustees’ decision. Dr. Fernandes is the wrong choice for the position of Gallaudet University's president. She is the wrong choice for the position because she would not be able to properly represent the community that Gallaudet stands for and serves.

I, along with scores of others in the deaf community throughout the nation and the world, have been keeping close track of the protest at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. Gallaudet holds a very special place in our hearts; therefore it is an emotionally wrenching time for many of us.

Additionally, there is a great concern for the safety of the people who are part of the protest. Physical harassment has already occurred by the campus police. Students have been denied their constitutional rights of free speech, freedom to assemble, as well as their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, their right to access through an interpreter. This all taking place in our nations’ capital at the very place where these ideals are fostered.

Please see the attached letter sent from the staff at Clerc Center where Dr. Jane Fernandes worked prior to her transfer to Gallaudet University. You can also refer this letter and countless others at this website www.gufssa.org.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)

Attached Letter from Staff at Clerc Center, Washington DC:



October 13, 2006
Letter from Clerc Center Staff
Filed under: General, - Staff, FSSA — gufssa @ 3:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2006

Contact:
Chris Kaftan
Lori Leal-Johnson
ClercCenterProtest@yahoo.com

Teachers and Staff at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Call for the Resignation of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes from Gallaudet University.

Washington, DC – October 13, 2006 – Following a meeting yesterday morning, a group of teachers and staff currently working at the colloquially-known Clerc Center resolved on a number of matters; the most pertinent is our call for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes to respectfully resign her post as president-select of Gallaudet University. We present as justification the following rationale and, finally, propose a series of mandates as steps toward healing the still-lingering damage from Dr. Fernandes' tenure as Vice President of Pre-College National Mission Programs. As a result, we are opposed to allowing Dr. Fernandes the chance to impose similar damage on Gallaudet University as a whole.

We are representative of a larger Clerc Center community. We did not approve of Gallaudet University's decision to close Clerc Center on October 11 and 12. The protesters were prepared to allow MSSD and Kendall staff on-campus so that education for pre-collegiate students could continue uninterrupted. University administrators shoulder the burden of responsibility for the two days of lost teaching time for those students.

While we do not condone negative tactics by either protesters or administration officials, we look forward to a peaceful resolution.

Rationale:
During her tenure as the vice president of Pre-College National Mission Programs (PCNMP) from 1995 to 2000, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes ignored, alienated, and disrespected teachers and staff. During a period of restructuring in 1996, the teachers and staff at PCNMP sought to offer additional advice and direction, only to be shunned and mocked. To continue our employment, we had to endure an atmosphere of distrust and fear. This statement of our oppression is long overdue.

As proof of Dr. Fernandes being an ineffectual leader and damaging the infrastructure of Clerc Center, we offer the following:
• A poll was conducted during the May protests. Fifty-eight percent of the teachers at the Clerc Center participated in this poll, where 82% stated they did not support the process that selected Dr. Fernandes as the 9th president.
• In addition to the first poll question, the second poll question asked teachers if they were ready to move on and accept Dr. Fernandes as the 9th president, 79% voted NO.
• Class sizes were drastically expanded with many levels of instructional needs in one class.
• Due to Dr. Fernandes' changes in the educational programs at PCNMP, enrollment plummeted, only to increase dramatically after her departure from the Clerc Center.
• Many support staff members gave up their primary roles to intervene with a significant increase in student violence inside the school due to forced removal of the disciplinary system without implementation of alternative options.
• Dr. Fernandes saw no value in the faculty governance system and the grievance process, which were both eliminated during her tenure.
• Many jobs, departments, and programs were closed (i.e., Performing Arts Program, Special Opportunities Program, Woodshop, Driver's Education, Communication Department, Career Development Program, International Student Exchange Program).
• The dissolution of Student Development program had a huge negative impact on the quality of student leadership (i.e. Peer Mediation, Judicial Board, Student Body Government, student-run enrichment days).
• After restructuring, department budgets were combined and teams had less control over their respective budgets. As a result, available monies for departments were reduced. This led to outdated materials and equipment available to teachers and staff.
• The dissolution of academic departments left teachers/staff no choice but to work/teach outside their content areas. Some competent and skilled people quit as a result of being asked to do things for which they weren't qualified.
• The issue of accountability was not clearly defined. Under Dr. Fernandes, people didn't know who to contact regarding policy and procedures.

As proof of Dr. Fernandes alienating and ignoring teachers and staff, we offer the following:
• The removal of tenure in a non-democratic way, without teacher input and involvement.
• Faculty status of teachers was stripped.
• Opportunities to apply for sabbatical leave were also denied. In the past, use of sabbatical leave made implementation of several successful programs possible (i.e., Structure of ASL and Deaf Studies courses, Minority/Multicultural Programs, Family Math program).
• In 1996, Lead Teachers asked for one full school year to plan, to set up and to implement a new system. They requested this time to find resources and to set aside time for training. Dr. Fernandes ignored the majority opinion, listening instead to selected advisors.
• Teachers' requests to order certain books were ignored. Older resources were thrown out and new materials ordered without teacher input which caused problems for teachers using thematic instruction.
• When the Curriculum Enhancement program was implemented in place of the Elective Department, Dr. Fernandes allowed 40 plus students in many individual CE classes that lasted 90 minutes to allow grade team teachers and staff to meet and plan. CE Teachers at Kendall were helpless and unable to manage their classes and to discipline unruly students.
• When restructuring caused students and parents frustration, confusion, and sometimes, anger, teachers and staff members were left alone to bear the consequences of decisions they had no part in making.
• The Special Opportunity Program was disbanded without transition. The needs of deaf students with additional or unique needs were not being met. They often sat in "mainstream" classes and contributed little or nothing, which caused educational and emotional distractions for other students.

As proof of Dr. Fernandes creating an atmosphere of distrust and fear, we offer the following:
• Teachers and staff who have deaf children were threatened, personally and professionally, for not enrolling their children at Kendall or MSSD.
• Dr. Fernandes prevented teachers from meeting during work hours by encouraging the disbandment of the faculty organization.
• Termination of the Sunshine Fund that teachers and staff created for sending cards and/or gifts when appropriate for certain occasions (i.e., anniversaries, births, deaths, hospitalizations, weddings);
• Dr. Fernandes also allowed no support for personal milestones, losses and celebrations of any kind. She stated that "We are not here to have fun and play. We are here to work."
• When people asked Dr. Fernandes for her input, she responded by telling us to make decisions ourselves, only to criticize us for our incompetence. We were constantly criticized for every little step we made and afraid to take risks.
• Forcing us to undergo radical change without any direction and often under harsh criticism resulted in such severe grieving that outside counselors and consultants were brought in to heal wounds. Dr. Fernandes was nowhere to be found.
• Dr. Fernandes put a stop to the Teacher Evaluation System that was used for many years. When problems escalated, she had the revised TES implemented. Dr. Fernandes did not bother with follow-up review to make sure the process was just and fair.
• The removal of the sabbatical leave during Dr. Fernandes' administration occurred when she successfully manipulated a few personnel into supporting her decision and informed a certain member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees that the majority of faculty and staff agreed.

Mandates Proposed by Laurent Clerc Center Teachers/Staff:
• We deserve the opportunity to set up an organization where our voice will be heard.
• We desire shared governance.
• We support the FSSA's demands.

Letter Template to Lynn Woolsey, CA Representative and Gally BoT member

Thanks to Stacy Gough, Stefanie Ellis, and Delanne Woodall-Hamlow for working on this letter!

***Update: I accidentally rejected this comment by Pepe C. Thank you for letting us know, Pepe C! I appreciate it.
Pepe C. has left a new comment on your post "Letter Template to Lynn Woolsey, CA Representative and Gally BoT member":
FYI They count e-mails and letters the same. They RESPOND to paper letters and not much to e-mail but they ALWAYS track e-mails, the House tracking system is built to track both e-mails and paper mail and categorize them by issue and date so if you can do BOTH!

Letter to Hon. Lynn Woolsey

FOR CALIFORNIANS ONLY... (Woolsey is a representative for California and an open member of the Board of Trustees)

You need to go into the honorable lynn woolsey's website to get her email address.

The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, Trustee
http://www.woolsey.house.gov/

SEND this letter via email or send to her through the post office!!! ((Editorial note: Mailing letters through the post office is far more effective. Congressional staff will count how many paper letters they receive on an issue - they do not always count e-mails.))

THE MORE LETTERS THAT WOOLSEY GETS - THE BETTER!!! we need to wake her up and get her to see our side and support UNITY FOR GALLAUDET!!

***Begin letter***

October 2006

Dear Honorable Lynn Woolsey,

I write to you today as our representative for California and as an open member of the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University. I plead with you to step in and make changes happen at Gallaudet University.

I, along with scores of others in the deaf community throughout the nation and the world, have been keeping close track of the protest at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. Gallaudet holds a very special place in our hearts; therefore it is an emotionally wrenching time for many of us.

The protest is asking for two things to happen:
1). Dr. Jane Fernandes must resign as the 9th president of Gallaudet University and the presidential search must be re-opened.

2). No reprisals be given to any faculty, staff, or student for being a part of this protest.

Countless letters have been sent from people all over the world to Gallaudet. Petitions have been signed by the thousands. Formal letters from national organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association were sent. Resolutions were drafted. Rallies have been held throughout the country and the world.

All have expressed their disappointment at the Board of Trustees’ lack of understanding of the deep resentment of the selection process leading to the appointment of Dr. Jane Fernandes for the most visible position within the deaf community, and their lack of confidence in her to lead Gallaudet. She may seem qualified on paper, but she does not possess the qualifications of a leader.

The university’s Faculty and Senate in addition to the Student Assembly of Gallaudet’s Student Body Government have taken official votes declaring its lack of confidence in Dr. Fernandes as the next president of Gallaudet.

In addition, the larger Gallaudet community and the Deaf people throughout the world have also declared a vote of "No Confidence" in Dr. Fernandes ability to lead. With these declarations, it is clear that the community does not agree with the Board of Trustees’ decision. Dr. Fernandes is the wrong choice for the position of Gallaudet University's president. She is the wrong choice for the position because she would not be able to properly represent the community that Gallaudet stands for and serves.

To close, I plead of you, as an open member of the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University. You can help restore our beloved Gallaudet. If you truly care about Gallaudet, you will respectfully meet the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community’s two demands thus allowing for healing to finally begin.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)

Very moving message from Tom Holcomb

Received at 6:03 am

I just woke up and now am weeping because it is not just a bad dream but a night mare for the deaf community. . I guess I m in shock. A delayed respone ti the mayhem last night. I m weeping because King made it a crime for people to love gallaudet. I m weepng because the students did the dirty work for the faculty staff and alumni. I m weeping for the future of gallaudet as it s clear the bot is so out of touch with thr real issues that are dear to deaf people. I m weeping because the man who I used to respect is no longer my hero. I m weeping because I love gallaudet so uch.

--holcomb

***update: I accidentally rejected a couple of comments. One on this post was anonymous, saying it's not a crime to love Gallaudet but it is a crime to shut the campus down. But one, from Dave R., was posted here. I'd like to respond to that. Anonymous, please feel free to re-post your comment.

Dave R has left a new comment on your post "Very moving message from Tom Holcomb":
Impossible that Tom Holocomb wrote that. Until I see him sign it, I ain't buyin' it.

My response: My pager still has this exact message sent directly from Tom's pager - FIRSTHAND. And several of us responded to Tom. If he didn't send it, he would have denied it. Trust me. Tom wrote it.

A tribute to the UNITY FOR GALLAUDET protestors and supporters...

History Repeats Itself, Doesn't It?

Colonists fighting for independence, regardless of scares
With the goal to succeed
Oozing battle blood
Shedding tears
Alas, no dignity dragged through mud
Standing strong and proud with cares
As a new country in the making was theirs.

African-Americans fighting for rights
Encountering unequality and constant fights
Oozing whipping blood
Shedding tears
Alas, no dignity dragged through the mud
Standing strong and proud with cares
As a civil rights movement was moving to new heights.

Gallaudet-Deaf Community fighting for cultural acceptance, respect, and recognition
Facing unnecessary administrative opposition
Oozing oppressive blood
Shedding tears
Alas, no dignity dragged through the mud
Standing strong and proud with cares
As a cultural group preserving tradition.

-Stacy Eilbert Gough
Oct. 14, 2006

(Note by Jenny: Stace commented to me that this was the first poetic inspiration she had had in years. Wow. It is beautiful. When inspiration hits, it sure hits BIG. Grin.)

Who's Going to DC??

Wow! Last night when we found out about the arrests, there was this deluge of paged messages inquiring about cheap flights, where to find good deals, and plans to head out immediately. The people who flew to DC today were not planning to go until last night. They love Gallaudet so much they flew out very early this morning, missing the C.A.D. 100th Anniversary Gala taking place this weekend. Go, Bay Area!

((Below by Karina Pedersen))

There are some of us who are enroute to D.C. today:
Tim Gough
Mike Gough (from Fresno)
Stefanie Ellis with son, Landen
Michelle Berke with son, Troy
Mary Ann Hencker
Roberta Daniels
Colin Piotrowski
Maureen Klusza
Jeanne Dike

The others are heading out this week: (editorial note: All but Kathy were planning to go before last night took place)
Alyce Lentz (moved up her flight a few days)
David Eberwein (accompanied by Genie Gertz from L.A.)
Ella Lentz (on the same trip as DE and GG)
Judy Gough
Sandra Ammons
Val Herbold
Barb Morrison
Karina Pedersen
Kathy Greene (?)

Why has this blog been so quiet?

I apologize... I haven't been by a computer for more than a minute in the last 48 hours. So much has happened... and I intend to post everything. For now, I will post action items, such as the 101 Things Alumni Can Do list, letters to the editors, contact info, and so forth. I will continue to post "breaking news" updates as they come in when I'm by a computer. I will post the "older" things, backdating them. My apologies for this... Thank you to everyone who has submitted stuff - they WILL be up in the next day or two.

Bay Area Arrests

As reported by Karina Pedersen:

The Bay Area Students who got arrested that we accounted for:

Blair Rasmus
Heather Cassinelli
Jason Lamberton
Keith Doane
Mallory Malzkuhn
Norman Chan
Rebecca Eyrond
Angela Gallegos
Brian Morrison
Ryan Lentz
Shanna Grossinger
Adam Jarashow
Damien Spillane
Jason Coleman
Justin Jackerson
Leala Holcomb
Megan Malzkuhn
Nixo Lanning
Tara Holcomb
Valerie Hom

Updates from Rory

Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:34:13 -0700

Rory reports:
Yes, 6th gate has been broken thru. Not enough protestors. JK got into a car at 6th gate trying to enter... Jason lamberton laid in front of the car blocking. The dc cops had to physically remove him. And he's injured but we don't know how bad. ((Update: just a rash. He will be ok))

An alumni reports:
19 police are here now... 6th street entrance was just broken into.. some were injured by police... i believe the front gate is next... 3 police r on their horses now.. have a feeling they'll make their way thru front entrance soon... things r intense right now. hope u can see
the photos.

Now, leaders: commerson, plummer, beckman is in mtg w ikj with lawyers jeff rosen and mark goldstone.

Concened Parents of a Freshman Speak Out

I am the mother of a third generation Gallaudet student. As an alumnus, I’ve followed closely the President Search process and even with little personal contact and experience with the current college administration, my reaction to the news of Jane Fernandes’ selection was one of keen disappointment and a sense that it just “didn’t feel right”. However, I wanted to be careful about basing my feelings on what I’ve learned over the years through conversations with family members and friends associated with Gallaudet and what I read in publications and websites.

With my daughter entering Gallaudet and watching events unfolding the past six months, it’s gotten personal.

First, in retrospect, it is my opinion the President Search process should have been boycotted immediately after the announcement of the three finalists. The selection did not adequately represent the diverse pool of qualified applicants and appeared to be stacked in Jane Fernandes’ favor given her advantages and privileges over the other two. Cries of discrimination and such by groups should not have gone unheeded and the façade of the final selection process gone on as long as it did.

I expect even if students express dissenting opinions, that their safety and well- being will continue to be ensured. Therefore I am greatly concerned when students are denied access to interpreters, foul smelling fertilizer is spread over the selected site of the scheduled Tent City protest, and students, some of which are children of my friends, are handled roughly by the DPS. Ordering the cafeteria shut down despite a willingness to let food service personnel pass was an unnecessary and mean-spirited thing to do.

I resent also the demeaning treatment of the students, faculty/staff members and alumni in recent months. I recall the incredulous look on my daughter’s face when she read IKJ’s “We all must support….” Post It on the letter from the Board of Trustees Chairperson and the angry muttering of an alumni friend, “We’re…not children!” I resent the blocking of the alumni mailing list. I resent IKJ announcing at the NAD convention that Gallaudet is not in crisis. I resent the Washington Post editorial minimizing the issues at Gallaudet. I resent the “not deaf enough” issue being exploited when leadership issues are at question. I also resent and find insulting Jane Fernandes' comment that she is the “only one who can lead the university".

I recognize that Jane Fernandes has given years of committed service to Gallaudet and should not be expected to go quietly. And that the Board of Trustees may have felt they made the best selection given the circumstances.

But clearly deep rooted issues have been festering at Gallaudet over the years and a pervasive sense of oppression is apparent that the current university administration and the BOT have failed to recognize or address. Even after the selection of the new President-elect.

And we worry about a drop in enrollment and donations, an inability to recruit top quality faculty/staff members and maintain the academic integrity of the university, and the severance of alumni ties with the university if steps are not taken to address the issues and unite a community very much affected by the BOT's decision.

As parents residing in California, we have to say CSUN with its new leadership and having our daughter closer to home is looking good. But Gallaudet is the beacon of higher education for the Deaf and represents the academic hopes and dreams of many throughout the world, and if our daughter wants to remain there, we would like nothing better. But our trust and confidence placed in the current administration and the President-elect given the current climate and their treatment of students have been shattered.

We sent our daughter to Gallaudet to learn...to get an education to help her enter the working world and to grow as a person. With the tactics of oppression, purposeful mis-communication and distortion of facts, we are afraid she is instead learning how to cope with an oppressive environment not at all conducive to learning or growing. She is learning that it is okay for people in power to abuse that power if it gets them what they want. Our daughter will have plenty of opportunities to face this during her working career as an adult, but we did NOT expect and do NOT accept that she is facing this now at Gallaudet.

There are no easy solutions but these are times that call for a re-evaluation of the decision made by the Board of Trustees. We support the FSSA’s call for Jane Fernandes’ resignation and the President Search process to begin again.

Sylvia J. Wood, Class of ‘77

Max Malzkuhn

Parents of Mallory Malzkuhn, Freshman

Political Cartoons

People have been encouraging me to post more of my hastily drawn cartoons. Here are a couple.

A look at Irv's report card focusing on the 6 Pillars of Citizenship

CHEAP PLANE TICKETS!!! GO TO DC, EVERYONE!

289.00 rt airfare ticket frm sfo to dca leaving on Sunday thru sunday. It s on www.sidestep.com. Can u spread the news to everyone in bay area and sacramento so ppl can fly there to support the protest.
-from Karina

Our Local Students Lead As DC Cops Lie in Wait!!!

This will be a compilation of various pages and e-mails we've gotten from our people there this morning. We are so proud of our people and the students who are from this area!!! (all comments below are from the cited sources.) *** UPDATE: pics have been posted***

From Tom Holcomb
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:14:10 -0700
Page everyone u know in marykabd dc and va to come to gally... Dc police
out front now about 8 cars and motorycyles.. Not a good feeling we
need more witnesse and adults here now to keep things under
control do it now

From Tom Holcomb
(Forwarded to the Bay Area Yahoo group at 8:47 am)
The media is responding very well to the concerned parent angle.. And I
played the role of distresrd parent very well I think it ll do good
whe other parents come they have a new letter from the parents of
gally students expressing our concern I think this is one reason why gally
has not arrested the students yet.... All the media wanted a copy of
the letter

From Tom Holcomb
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:41:09 -0700
More police here... Very scared students are brave..getting ready to
be arrested

(2 pics from Tom Holcomb, sent at 8:55 am)




From Rory Osbrink
(sent via the Bay Area Yahoo group)
As u all know, the police are here to evaluate the situation for
potential arrest. Rýan Commerson has prepped everýone on passive
arrest

From Rory Osbrink at 9:09 am
Fac are encouraging students to move to mall so dc won't arrest.
Concerned for safetý. Students saý no- thanks but no thanks. If jane
is willing to put dc police on us w/o consultation- what kind of a
leader is that?

From Tom Holcomb at 9:11 am
Very tense now with fac appealing to students to move students are
saying no way... They feel more safe with dc cops than with dps how
sad

From Candace McCullough forwarded to Karina and sent to the Yahoo group at 9:24 am
They are getting ready to arrest students. Have pixes but fwding this
message of how we the lookers readers outsiders would feel...
If u are able to be there asap, go!
Please share with others

From Rory at 9:27 am
Leala has stepped up too. Cementing the decision of the students to
maintain the human wall in spite of arrest.

Pics from Rory at 9:34 am
Commerson speaking
Dc police




Pics from Rory at 10:20 am
Go Fremont! Leala talking to canadian press



From Karina via Bay Area Yahoo group at 10:56 am
What do they Fac think!? They arenot the ones staying overnight in
tents, possibly getting arrested...
Subject: Fac
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:43:45 -0400
As you can see, a lot of disagreement amongst fac members...they re
discussing if shd support open gally or not. Students say NO. Fac half
and half. Some fac want protest to move to grass, stop blocking. We
think protest will lose attention if do that.
Oxo
--Sharon
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC


From Tom Holcomb at 12:07 pm
Jordan just came with a dc polic eofficer asks to meet with 4 student
leadrrs to discuss how protest can continue peacefully now trying to
identify 4 students

Rory Osbrink's plea to the alumni

http://www.signcasts.com/?q=node/55

She Still Won't Resign!!!!

Dr. Fernandes announced this afternoon that she will not resign and we had just darn well better resign ourselves to her presidency. I say: Hell no, it ain't so!

I had drawn a rough sketch of a concept, but was planning to re-do it. When I heard the news, I immediately changed it, using a real picture of JK and keeping my original sketch. Enjoy.

Jenny Cantrell

Letter from a very disappointed alum

Hello, Dr. Jordan. I was saddened not to receive your Open Letter, even though I had signed up for e-updates from the Alumni Relations office months ago.

To the point of this letter... I thank you for the first communication we alumni have received from you in months.

I love Gallaudet very much. One of the fondest times of my life was when I was in high school, fighting for a deaf president for Gallaudet University. I spoke at a rally in Fremont, I was a student representative for the local media, and I watched the events of that week unfold. I cried with joy when you were selected as president. When I went to Gallaudet as a freshman a few years later, I watched you jog around campus and felt proud of the fact that I had helped put you where you are now. I have always been proud to be a Gallaudet University alumna and a GUAA member from the time I graduated from the University.

However, your actions and the actions of the administration and the Board of Trustees have caused me great pain. I have watched, stunned, as you, who got your job via a groundswell of public support and freedom of expression, have endeavored to manipulate public opinion and to suppress the First Amendment on campus. I have watched, aghast, as you and your administration have done everything possible to misrepresent the reasons for the community's objections to the presidential search process and to the selection of Dr. Fernandes. Your letter to the alumni, for example, is chock full of lies and gross distortions of the truth.

You are right in that we all need to be part of the solution. We are on the same page in this regard. However, your actions speak far louder than your words. I have seen you and your administration do nothing except to divide the community by misrepresenting the protest, lie outright about what has occurred, and to take your case to the public on radio - a medium that the majority of your constituents cannot access easily. You are not walking the walk, Dr. Jordan.

I am responding to your call for support from us alumni by saying, yes, absolutely, Gallaudet University has my support. The stakeholders of Gallaudet University have my support. I am doing everything in my power to support the FSSA and the students to continue protesting in a nonviolent, non-threatening manner. And I will continue to do so until Dr. Fernandes resigns or is forced to leave, the Board of Trustees is drastically restructured to incorporate a 51% alumni majority on the Board, and there are no reprisals for any students involved in the protests.

Absolutely, Dr. Jordan! The very least I can do for Gallaudet is to respond to your call for support... but place my support where it is most appropriate - with the majority of the stakeholders and with many, many, many alumni.

Jenny Cantrell, '94


October 9, 2006

Dear Alumni,

I want to take this opportunity to let you know what's happening on campus and to ask your support. We all have an important role to play.

Last Friday, a group of dissenters occupied the Hall Memorial Building. Since then, Interim Provost Michael Moore, '68, Dean Carl Pramuk, '84, and Enrollment Services Executive Director Debby DeStefano, '77 & G-'79, have been meeting with the dissenters who have been in HMB to peacefully resolve the occupation. I appreciate their dedication and hard work.

I feel sure that many of you are as saddened as I am by the current discord on our campus. We are working to restore civility and mutual respect. We have continuously met in good faith with the dissenters, only to have the students' demands change.

We want to assure a positive educational experience in a safe environment for all of our campus community, but we cannot do that alone. It will take not only every student and member of the administration, faculty, and staff to come together, but also our alumni to restore trust and a sense of security to a badly shaken community.

I believe we all need to be part of the resolution. I feel compelled to set the record straight on a number of issues. The Board of Trustees and the administration have heard and considered the dissenters regarding the search and selection process. In fact, they met with students on a number of occasions during last week's board meeting. The dissenters are unwilling to accept the Board's selection of Dr. Fernandes.

We are committed to free speech, and so it is doubly painful to have some faculty, students, alumni and staff threaten and intimidate the rights of others to differ from the dissenters. Indeed some of their actions have been shameful. Nothing excuses their assault on me and the disrespect shown to my family last Thursday at what should have been a celebration for the entire campus. They have tried to impose their will on everyone at Gallaudet by taking over HMB. Those who have acted unlawfully must take responsibility for those actions and will face the consequences of their actions. And now they have phoned in a second bomb threat diverting critical police and fire resources from legitimate needs.

The dissenters have vandalized one of your alma mater's most cherished locations, College Hall. They have encouraged the harassment of board and administration members and their families by publishing the home and work numbers as well as other personal information, and then encouraged others to use that information to continuously disrupt their lives. They have disseminated misinformation and cried foul when the administration has tried to set the record straight. An example is their claim that a DPS officer assaulted students. The board has requested, and we will have, an outside investigator review this allegation. They have misrepresented the Board chair's support of Dr. Fernandes on a blog and falsely claimed that the Board did not meet with them. What the Board did not do is agree with them.

Despite these provocations, we have continued to look for common ground. Gallaudet University has a rich tradition of caring and community spirit. We want to invoke that sense of family to resolve the occupation of HMB.

Let us remind our students and colleagues in HMB that their actions hurt us all, not only on Gallaudet's campus, but around the world. We welcome dialogue, but cannot allow a group of dissenters to lock us out of one of our own buildings. They promised not to interfere with others' rights; however, they have broken that promise. I ask you to use your influence to support our efforts to address the issues confronting us and begin the healing process. It's important to me to keep our alumni informed of our University's efforts, so please check our homepage (www.gallaudet.edu) for up-to-date information and messages.

I. King Jordan
President

WE'RE COMING, FSSA, WE'RE COMING!

Rory Osbrink is enroute to the airport as I type. Tom Holcomb will leave tomorrow night. Both are uniquely suited to represent the Bay Area and provide support for the FSSA coalition and they look forward to providing whatever support and reassurance you on Kendall Green ask for and need.

More people are scheduled to come in shifts. Details coming up!

National GUAA Update

We are fortunate to have a national GUAA officer in the area indeed. Alyce Lentz, national GUAA Board vice-president, gave a report at today's forum. Here is the report in her own words.

1. Check out; gallynews.com and guaanews.com!!
2. We're working on our (Board's) open letter.
3. IKJ sent an open letter to the alumni, using gallaudet.edu while the alumni have not been able to use Gally's website or database to get a hold of all alumni!!!!
4. Please contact me at aslentz@aol.com and give me your email addresses for Nor CAL Chapter.
5. There'll be a press release tonight!!!
6. Please make your donations to FSSA and/or GUAA, NOT to Gallaudet (at least until the demands of FSSA are met.) Make out checks to GUAA, not to Gallaudet
7. Homecoming's theme: "Take Back Gallaudet!!!" Come to Homecoming this year!! Meet at 10:30 at the mall between EMG Library and Foster auditorium.
More information to follow!!

Message for Tom Humphries from a former student

Dr. Humphries, I used to hold you in high regard... but with your divisive and patronizing actions over the past months, I have lost so much respect for you. I have never met you, but I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Quite a number of your former students are saying they feel differently about you or that they have lost respect for you.

One of them, Arianne Kassel, did a very difficult thing and videotaped herself describing her conflicted emotions being both a Gallaudet alumna and a UCSD alumna. This video letter is directed toward you. I hope you will listen to this better than you've listened to the rest of us who are stakeholders at Kendall Green.

http://www.xanga.com/Earth2AK/536674907/item.html

Plea not to withdraw from Gallaudet

UPDATE: We in the Bay Area have since been contacted and urged to remove this post from this site because FSSA wants to keep mass withdrawal on the table. We agree that mass withdrawal would have great economic impact, and we recognize the need to keep all options on the table. However, we do not wish to suppress a variety of perspectives from those who support the protest. This is something students need to consider individually and as a group, because it is their futures at stake. Make no mistake - we are behind the FSSA one hundred percent.

*********

Andrew Greenman graduated from CSD Fremont and is now in his second year at Gallaudet. This is a very eloquently written letter, Andrew! Thanks for contributing to the dialogue.

---------------------------------------------------------

Dear Unsure Gallaudet Student:

My name is Andrew Greenman. I am a second year student at Gallaudet University. I know some of you don't know me, or don't like me, but please just hear me out this time.

In light of recent claims by some students that they want to withdraw, my only reaction was anger and shock. "No way!" was my initial reaction to students who told me of their desire to withdraw. Even some leaders of our FSSA were seriously considering withdrawal from the University.

Trust me on this one: do not withdraw. If you do, you will be showing Jane Fernandes, Irving Jordan, and their team one thing: they have won. They intimidated you enough. You hate the oppressive environment on campus, thus there is no point in staying here anymore. You're a
minority: you are targeted. Why should I suffer at an University that doesn't respect me?

Here's a food for thought: when African-Americans fought for civil rights in the 1960's, they experienced a lot of oppression too. They have suffered up to the very end of the civil rights movement with segregation, discrimination, and a lack of respect. but did they quit? Did they leave America? NO! They stayed in America and kept on fighting in a nation that disrespected them, until they finally achieved their goal: to stop segregation. Nowadays, admittedly, African-Americans still face discrimination, but in a general sense, they have won. They were in an oppressive environment-heck, even worse than what we face today. They were killed when they disobeyed laws, beaten up everyday, and their intelligence was tested daily.

Now, I am NOT trying to underestimate this movement: we have a valid reason to protest, that's a definite given. However, we have to realize that sometimes we have to reach the climax of the terrible and the unknown before reaching our destination. and that right now, you may feel frustrated. You may feel like there's truly no point in fighting city hall anymore; it's a lost cause. Their stubbornness has won. Stop. We will break them eventually-it just takes time, patience, and determination (clichéd, but absolutely true). After all, we got to
finish what we started, right?

Some argue that withdrawing the University will influence the admissions factor, and the University will lose a lot of money. That is true, but here's something to consider: do you really want to stoop to the administration's level? Make this about money? Nope. This is our HOME, this is our MECCA, and we are here to prove that this is not about money, this is about respect and acceptance of Deafness and its' culture. Also, if we do withdraw in droves, that will shake the University initially, but they will find more recruits, and the Public Relations machine will somehow find a way to convince fresh-minded students to come to Gallaudet.

Everyone has an option. If you truly believe in your heart that withdrawing is the best way to go, do it. However, I implore you to truly take in consideration the factors of withdrawing (financial, family, responsibility, and alternative plans) and weigh the benefits versus the cons. Some say they will still fight after withdrawing, but once you withdraw, you lose your place at the University, you regain visitor status, and trust me, eventually you begin to lose motivation for your University, no matter how hard you try to stay motivated.

No, trust me on this one, withdrawing is NOT the best way to go. Heck, I'll stop white-washing and being politically correct, and lower myself to the level of begging: PLEASE, please, please do NOT withdraw. It won't do you any good. This is OUR home. If this was your literal home-you lived here, cooked here, had children here, dealt with the mortgage-would you let anybody take your home away from you? Intimidate you out of your home?

Right now, Gallaudet may seem like an extremely unpleasant place, unfortunately, but I know that is how most of you would define Gallaudet right now. There are a lot of issues that run deep in the heart of the University, and we face being unable to speak out everyday. It is often
difficult to truly feel valued and safe here. and on top of that all, you face the lackluster food/sky-high fees. What's the but, you ask? The but is if you withdraw, you'll only make Gallaudet look weaker, and the true spirit of the Bison will diminish.

Please take my (admittedly biased) opinions in consideration.

Respectfully,

Andrew Greenman, Sophomore

If African-Americans did it, we can, too.

Another NorCal GUAA Chapter Resolution

This was proposed and passed tonight at a forum.

10 October 2006

TO:
Cynthia W. Ashby, Trustee
Dr. Brenda Jo Brueggemann, Acting Chair, Trustee
Susan J. Elliott, Trustee
Dr. Harvey Goodstein, Trustee
Bill Graham, Secretary
Pamela Holmes, Trustee
Dr. Tom Humphries, Trustee
L. Richard Kinney, Trustee
Ken H. Levinson, Trustee
Frank Ross, Trustee
Benjamin J. Soukup, Jr., Trustee
Christopher D. Sullivan, Trustee
Charles V. Williams, Trustee
Frank H. Wu, Trustee
The Honorable Ray LaHood, Trustee
The Honorable John McCain, Trustee
The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, Trustee
Dr. King Jordan, current President of Gallaudet University
Dr. Jane Fernandes, current President-Designate
Sam Sonnenstrahl, Executive Director, GUAA
Noah Beckman, SBG President
Alexander Zernovoj, GSA Vice-President

FR:
The NorCal Chapter, Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA)

In the ten days since we first set up Tent City in support of the FSSA mission and composed three resolutions, events on campus have taken a sharp turn for the worse. The administration has continued to perpetuate flagrant untruths about the situation on campus, none of which has held up under independent verification. The administration has continued to suppress freedom of expression on campus and to nurture a climate of fear on our beloved Kendall Green. The Board of Trustees has pretended to listen to stakeholders on campus by granting them a mere five minutes to present their case, while at the very same time, the Board chair was issuing a press release affirming their support of Dr. Fernandes as the next president. In this same press release, they praised the work of DPS – the very same DPS that manhandled our children, our former students, and our community members earlier in the day. We are aghast and deeply distressed at the actions of the administration and the Board of Trustees of our cherished Gallaudet University.

We can no longer endure the pain the administration and the Board of Trustees are putting us, our family and friends on campus, and all stakeholders through. We are calling for the lies, denials, and distortions emanating from the administration to cease. We are calling upon Dr. Fernandes, Dr. Jordan, and the entire Board of Trustees to do the right thing as outlined in our latest resolution in order to allow the healing to begin. In short, we are calling for Dr. Fernandes to resign from her position as president-designate.

Yours for Gallaudet University,


Jenny Cantrell
Vice President, NorCal GUAA Chapter



Resolution by the NorCal GUAA chapter

Adopted on 10/9/06

Whereas the deaf community of the San Francisco Bay Area remain united behind FSSA and students in their pursuit for social justice at Gallaudet;

Whereas the NorCal GUAA chapter has sent three resolutions in the past few weeks expressing its grave concern regarding events that have unfolded at Gallaudet;

Whereas actions taken by the Gallaudet administration continue to bring negative attention to the deaf community and the University;

Whereas official votes have been taken by the University Faculty Senate in addition to the Student Assembly of Gallaudet’s Student Body Government expressing its lack of confidence in and support of Dr. Jane Fernandes as the next president of Gallaudet;

Whereas letters have been sent from national organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf and the Gallaudet University Alumni Association expressing their disappointment at the Board of Trustees’ and Dr. Jane Fernandes’ lack of understanding of the deep resentment of the selection process leading to the appointment of such an unpopular person for the most visible position within the deaf community;

Whereas the continued refusal of President designee, Dr. Jane Fernandes, to step down from her position has perpetuated and deepened the continued unrest among the students, faculty, staff and alumni;

Whereas the continued refusal of President designee, Dr. Jane Fernandes, to step down from her position has been disruptive to the education of Gallaudet students, to the work of Gallaudet faculty and staff, and to the reputation of the deaf community,

Be it resolved that the NorCal GUAA chapter condemns Dr. Jane Fernandes for her role in perpetuating the unrest of Gallaudet University specifically and of the deaf community in general:

Be it further resolved that the NorCal GUAA chapter condemns Dr. Jane Fernandes for her inability to understand that the issue is deeper and broader than “just a few dissenters” within the university.

Be it further resolved that the NorCal GUAA chapter condemns Dr. Jane Fernandes for her unwillingness to decline her appointment as the 9th president of Gallaudet University and to step down as the President-designate;

Be it further resolved that the NorCal GUAA chapter requests that the national GUAA board formally request Dr. Jane Fernandes to resign from her position as the President-designate so that healing can begin.

Open Letter from Nora Yates, Alumna

NOW is the time!

like many of you, i'm sad, hurt, pissed off, ANGRY, n' DISAPPOINTED in the adminstration for not meeting gally's FSSA's two very reasonable & simple demands! i still don't understand why it hasn't happened yet?!

NOW is the time for the bot, i. king jordan & jane k. fernandes to LISTEN to us with open hearts and minds. NOW is the time for jane k. fernandes to do what is right for herself & for all of us, the deaf people, and that is to RESIGN, because NOW is the time for some REAL changes. NOW is the time for gallaudet to re-define itself, because NOW is the time for deaf people to be known as REAL people with REAL passion for life, REAL thoughts & feelings, REAL ideas, REAL culture, REAL language, & REAL everything - rather than just deaf people. we know we're MUCH more than that. NOW is the time for the betterment of gallaudet and for the deaf community as a whole.

ikj & jkf, NOW is the time for you to let us go so we can finally be free of audism, oppression & all the negativity.
NOW is the time for us to fly.

uni ty for gallaudet! !!

noreen a. yates

gallaudet university alumna - class of 1999 & 2001

Plea from Gallaudet Faculty Member

Updated at 10/9/06 12:45 am Pacific time

Urgent message from Sandra Ammons after VPing with her sister Donalda Ammons:

Important message:

Just spoke with sis' Ducky and she gave me permission to share this with you all.

*** She said: "YES, SEND PEOPLE AND APPLY PRESSURE AND DEMANDS ON GU!! FREMONT KIDS ARE TRAUMATIZED!!" She says to go ahead and send representatives to Gally tonight, tomorrow, this week, next week, and thereafter...

*** The students had a good meeting this afternoon with the lawyer specializing in peaceful protests and they had drills preparing for a possible raid by the DC Police sometime this evening?? Students are not to fight back. They are to become limp and lie on the floor. Let the police carry them if they want to remove the students from HMB.

*** We need to send emails to King Jordan, Patti Kunkle, PR office, Michael Moore, Deborah DeStefano, etc. and tell them to STOP all the blatant lies and cease all the oppressive tactics used to control the protest.***

*** Start contacting your friends who live in MD/ DC/ VA to go to Gally N O W! Videophone them! Page them! Email them!

*** Start bombarding the BoTs - check www.RidorLive.com for contact info. on BoTs. Send them email, call them, etc. (Editorial note: I have misgivings about telephoning them, but if any of you have e-mail addresses, yes, bombard them with respectful, yet strongly worded messages!)

*** Andy Lange, GUAA president, has coined a GUAA theme for Homecoming which is ~ "Take Back Gallaudet!"

*** One last thing... Ducky says Tara Holcomb is AMAZING, beyond words!!! FSSA, students, etc are VERY inspired by her and her insights! They have already started visualizing her as our future Gallaudet president! :-)

See you all tomorrow (Mon. 10/9) at the forum - 4:30 pm - at the Elem. Activity Center!! Time is NOW to sieze Gally!

UPDATE from Sandra:
*** It was also mentioned that we, the PARENTS of current students, need to become more vocal and start barking at GU administration for harrassing our children in various ways. We need to call our house reps./ senators and have them intervene! ***

So, we, the parents, need to unite and show GU administration that we are BIGGGGGER than them!

Latest Bay Area Developments

Karina Pedersen and Rory Osbrink spent hours on videphone last night with students in HMB and they are communicating closely with FSSA leaders. The students are afraid and they really, really need support from alumni and the general Deaf community. Maryland, DC, and Virginia people, please GO and help out. Even if you don't know what to do, your mere presence will be a major morale boost for them. GO and ask them how you can help out. Talk with them in a supportive, calm, reasonable way. You will help so much if you can just do that. I'd do it myself if I weren't 3000 miles away.

FSSA requested that we just send someone NOW, and we absolutely agree. An anonymous donor has made it possible for Rory Osbrink to go as soon as possible. Thank you, whoever you are!

The 4:30 pm forum at CSD tomorrow IS STILL ON. More updates will be given there and we will strategize and finalize the list of people to go. Please come!

Great news - through Karina's, Rory's and FSSA's efforts, there will be a lawyer at Gallaudet to give advice about how to engage in civil disobedience as safely as possible, while following the law.

The below is a message from Suzy Rosen Singleton:

Empowering Students with Civil Disobedience Information at 4ish PM TODAY-- please get ready

I will be bringing Mark Goldstone, Esq., who is highly recommended as a legal expert on peaceful civil protests who will make himself available at HMB at around 4ish pm TODAY to provide legal guidance to the protesters. Please alert all protesters to get ready for an assembly and please advise me where in HMB we should have the meeting. Please ensure we have interpreters available as Mark is hearing.

Important things to know ASAP:

1, If Gallaudet can prove more than $250 worth of damages to its property (lamps, walls, offices, furniture, etc) the offending party/individual(s) can be charged with a felony, with a maximum of 10 years imprisonment possibility. Be sure not to damage anything!!!

2, If the Gally police or DC police touch you, it still will not justify any touching back. Rule is -- they can touch you but you CANT touch them. You can be charged with assault, a felony charge with 5 years imprisonment. Gally police cannot do arrests, but they can supervise DC police doing so.

3. Police is NOT required to provide warnings prior to arrest, although that is what usually happens. These warnings must be made accessible and be communicated effectively to the protesters.

A great website for civil disobedience training info:
www.actupny.org/documents/cddocuments/legalflow.html: , although this is based in NY so laws in DC can differ! Mark Goldstone will most likely have additional recommendations for resources onsite.

See you soon.
Suzy Rosen Singleton

My buff and blue heart aches for you, Gallaudet

I am in pain.
I want to cry.
Really want to cry.

My heart and mind are three thousand miles away at
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002-3695

My soul is at Gallaudet University
My thoughts are with the scared students
With the faculty and staff risking their careers
With the alumni who are there now

My head hurts.
My heart hurts.

I lie here
Stunned
Appalled
Shocked
Confused
Puzzled
Discombobulated
Saddened
Hurt
Upset

Two questions keep running through my mind over and over:
How the hell did we get to this point???
How can the administration and Board of Trustees deny and ignore this???

I love Gallaudet too much to allow this to happen.
I feel so helpless stuck out here in California.
Writing letters doesn’t seem to be enough.
Blogging for the Bay Area doesn’t seem to be enough.
Working with the NorCal GUAA chapter doesn’t seem to be enough.
Donating money doesn’t seem to be enough.
Brainstorming and talking with people doesn’t seem to be enough.
But I love Gallaudet too much to idly stand by and do nothing.

I am in pain.
I want to cry.
Really want to cry.

Jenny Cantrell 10/8/06

Congress WILL get involved! Kudos to Rep. Stark!

Tom Holcomb contacted Pete Stark, our local Congressional representative, and Pete Stark's chief of staff was very responsive! Hat tip to Tom H and Michele Berke for this collection of e-mail communications from Debbie Curtis, Stark's chief of staff.

First message from Tom letting us know about his contact with Stark's office
We just had a productive telephone chat with stark s chief of staff. She s going to contact dc mayor s office and few other key players in dc and wash post too and then she will call gally admin directly on our behalf... She was very supportive on the phone about students right to public safety and to freedom of speech and to assemble without fear. Her name is debbie curtis and she is chief of staff to pete stark

Received Friday Oct 6th at 1:47 pm
I have now received two email communications from gallaudet from Fred Weiner, Special Assistant for Planning.

He says that the fertilizer was regularly scheduled and not aimed at them, that he has heard the same reports about pepper spray via the media, but that they have no evidence of it being used -- though it was threatened -- and that they can't use campus interpreters because they don't have a "sponsoring office" to assign them to. He said he's been over to talk to the students about this himself and they've now told him they will use volunteer interpreters.

He's being pretty good about getting back to me.

I'd appreciate hearing if you have any sense from your daughters that they are being treated more fairly.

There has been very good press coverage -- including student perspectives -- on NPR out here and they were on a local radio call in show as well.

I've also reached out to DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's office and they are also in contact with the university seeking more information.

I feel like we are doing what we can. If there is something else specific we can do, please contact me.

Thank you.

Debbie Curtis
Chief of Staff
Rep. Pete Stark (CA-13)
(202)225-5065

From Michele Berke at 2:06 pm
Hi again,
Another update from debbie Curtis. She has been in touch and as a 'go between' between Fred Weiner and the students inside; Barbara Guerner De Garcia, a faculty member is in there with the students and has facilitated the communicatin. They're emphasizing the need to get interpretrs and apparently, Fred is not telling the truth and Debbie has called him on it.

She also said that the situation this morning with campus security was that it was new personnel, some shoving happened and then they were called out of the building because they knew they were doing the wrong thing. She said she heard that the DC police were actually doing a better job and helping keep things under control.

In addition, she said that Eleanor Holmes Norton's office is putting pressure on the Gallaudet administration..

Debbie talked with Pete Stark; he had already heard about it on NPR and said for her to go for it..and do whatever she could to support the students, FSSA, etc.

She said to keep her posted throughout the weekend if there is anything more she can do. She is going to continue her efforts.

One last thing, she said that the students are impressive and should be commended for how they are handling things. Tara, Leala....you have support!!
We are with you...

Michele

Advice from an attorney

(From Maureen Klusza)

After getting tons messages on my pager and reading blogs, etc. I felt I hadda do something. I talked with my uncle Bob who is a lawyer in DC and his advices are at the bottom of this email.

He is more than happy to answer any legal questions -- if you have any -- and help students on getting more lawyers in DC who has been in many situations where they had deaf clients.

Now -- If you have any questions and want to reach Bob, he can be reached at pb.klepp @ verizon.net or (310) 509-1497 and yes, he knows how to sign - but purely ASL? not yet but he's pretty good at reading ASL. he's my mom's brother ... and fun fact about him is that he took ASL class under Bruce Hilbok years ago up in Flushing, NY because he doesn't want to communicate with me and my family by using home signs. :)

And one more thing -- we talked about students protesting at HMB building -- the gallaudet admission can order students to get out from the building but if students do the passive resistance by lying on the floor and not to move. Read more below.

Hope this helped... and most importantly, do not GIVE UP. Stay STRONG.

Maureen

******************************************************

From: Uncle Bob
Privileged and Confidential -- Attorney Advice

1. Strategic goals -- what do they want? #1 publicity, public awareness? #2 Get the administration to fire her, hire somebody else? #3 more input from students through an alternative means- for example, the school creating another position that is responsible for student / deafness issues? I realize that #3 falls short of what you want, but is it something students can live with?

2. What goals will building occupation achieve? It will get them #1 -- there's already have lots of news coverage, but will it get #2 not likely, or #3 maybe it will through negotiation.

3. Think of other reasons along with not deaf enough for her to resign the position. While this is really important, maybe it makes the students look a little intolerant to the outside world. It also puts the administration in a box. If they fire her for that reason, she sues the school and probably wins big bucks for discrimination against her!!! Another reasons could be she is a poor administrator or that she is not up to other skills and requirements for the job.

4. Think of how the building occupation should proceed. Students want to get sympathy from those allies (Congress staff, DC community, deaf community) outside the school, and they do not want to be seen violent or fighting and struggling with police. See passive resistance article -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_resistance. If they start physically resisting and struggling with the police, it changes the situation to where the police may be authorized to use force and they may get charged with more serious charges like assault on a police officer or resisting arrest.

4. Anyone arrested has he right to an attorney and should consider asking for one. If they decide exercise this right, they should specifically "ask to contact a lawyer." I can be reached on (310) 509-1497. Here is another DC lawyer who has done some work with deaf community issues. I have not heard of them before, but my good friend, Joel Shmukler (see jmspaesq @ aol.com, above) a criminal defense lawyer looked them up for me to pass along.

Bob Klepp

Message from Sara Stallard, CSD Alum, regarding mass withdrawal

Dear students (and FSSA and their supporters):

I've been thinking, and I must say that one idea floating around since yesterday (and actually last summer) really disturbs me to a very deep level:

Mass withdrawals from the University.

No matter how much everybody is saddened and fearful of what the final outcome is, we need to stay in this together, as a community.

We are one large mosaic of people, from the FSSA protestors to the administration and especially to those in the middle, those who have not made up their mind one way or the other, or are straddling the fence between the two poles surrounding our current controversy.

Leaving the University is a very serious decision. I did it once, back in 2000, because I was fed up with a lot of flaws surrounding my education, as well as certain attitudes of certain people who I sensed would strangle my intellectual and emotional well-being if I stayed (sounds familar to a lot of you, doesn't it? I am sure many of you have had similar feelings for different or maybe the same reasons, whatever experiences you went through....) The night I decided to leave Gallaudet, I cried all night, because I couldn't believe I came to that point. Was I really giving up? Or was I giving myself the chance to heal?

I'm glad to say I eventually felt it would be a healthy decision to return to the University, and I did so, coming back to work and finish up my degree at Gallaudet.

AND NONE OF IT WAS EASY. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

So, enough about my experiences. Students, I want you to think: what about yourself?

Consider carefully the resources you have access to, here at Gallaudet.

Your education (courses, workshops, training programs, internships, study abroad).

Your peers (classmates, fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters, your romantic interests, your co-workers in paraprofessional programs, your fellow athletes)

Your mentors (professors, other staff, older students, campus leaders).

Your finances (VR, scholarships, grants, loans).

Your sense of belonging in the community, deaf or hearing, ASL or English, black or white—if you are here, there are people who will always be there for you. Your friends! People with whom you can relax and laugh and be yourself. People you will end up staying friends with for the rest of your life.

It's not possible to get into all the opportunities that STILL exist at Gallaudet University, I can't possibly list them all in depth. Each and every one of us is unique and have our own priorities.

I just want students to really think twice before doing anything drastic such as withdrawing from the University. Especially international students.

I am angry that some protestors have been urging the idea of withdrawal as a tactic to "send a message" to the University. It's stupid. It will only send the message that "you are no longer committed to positive change."

If you withdraw, you WILL be giving up a lot of your stakes in this controversy as well as giving up your access to the University's resources. Your status will be that of a "visitor" and you will have no further opportunity to engage in student politics, to cast your offical votes in due processes available to students, to have free access to the university resources (computer accounts, media equipment loans, financial services, legal assistance, building accesses, library borrowing, to name just a few examples).

I treasure the fact that so many different individuals have come together, as students, as faculty, as staff and aftewards, as alumni, to make up such a unique school as the University and every person counts. Every person that comes or leaves changes the balance. But many people, Gallaudet is all they have got.

We should not betray this. We should not encourage mass withdrawals. It would betray the deep investment and commitments made by international students, and it would betray our commitment to making Gallaudet University a safe place for deaf students to come to, for their education, for their futures. It would betray the purpose of having faculty and staff, many of whom have been committed to the University for years and years, even including the custodians who clean up our buildings and grounds everyday.

Withdrawal from academic studies at Gallaudet is not just about school. It's about life. It is a major life decision. And that decision belongs to you alone.

Withdrawal should not and should never become a decision to be made by anybody else. Please do not encourage this idea any further. Please do not allow anybody to get you excited, but instead, please please think twice, thrice, four times, five times, six times, if you are even tempted to leave.

Protestors, you have made a lot of progress in bringing attention to your cause. I am proud of a lot of things that you have accomplished. I have been supporting your rights to express yourself and encouraging some of you to look at facts, to consider statistics, to read between the lines of different documents, to think twice before engaging in crazy antics. I believe, as you do, that there are deep problems surrounding the University, and that they need solution, somehow.

I also believe strongly, all of you need to stay here in school, and stay committed to positive change. Don't give up, don't leave. Get your degree, gain more credibility to speak up, become good politicans, good counselors, good teachers, good administrators, good faciliators, good business leaders, and especially, good parents! Your career, your future. All of that is yours for the taking, if you stay committed in a positive and meaningful way.

Withdrawal is absolutely nothing to get dramatic and passionate about. It is not a public statement of opinion. It is a very very serious move. Do not take it lightly. Your position as a "tile in the large mosaic" that makes up the Gallaudet community is something you should guard carefully, especially in the midst of all the drama going on lately.

Bottom line: Withdrawal=a lot to give up. Period.

Sincerely,

Sara Stallard

Class of 1998

CONTACT THE ACLU, PLEASE!

Stacy has also told us that the ACLU attorney said he needs to hear from insiders at Gallaudet with as much evidence as possible (a good place to start would be a copy of the registration for Tent City and a copy of the Freedom of Expression guidelines published last July). I know you guys are overwhelmed, but the ACLU can help if you contact the attorney directly. They are experts at battling First Amendment issues, which includes the suppression of freedom of speech. You guys have a VERY strong case. There is some question about whether or not students are allowed to contact the ACLU, which is why faculty members and staff members really need to take this step. Students should go ahead, because we are not sure about this restriction.

- Jenny

(From Stacy Gough, local alum)
the message below is from a staff attorney at the ACLU that i have been in contact with. i believe this is a good step (a small step though)- yesterday morning when i spoke with him, he was saying he was "well aware" of the situation but i think the interest has picked up to the "next level" but we need to urge students from inside to contact him! he seems to only know what the news shares and we don't want him to get "one side" only, but the HEART of the protest, the FSSA's side!!!

if any of you have contact to students directly - tell them to email the staff attorney at fmulhauser@aol.com.

i will continue to keep sending the letters we have received from "insiders" and other things that we have received since yesterday morning so that the ACLU is really really and really aware of what is going on at the address of 800 florida ave, ne!!!

----------
From: Fritz Mulhauser
To: Stacy Gough
Subject: Friday action at gally
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 15:34:57 EDT

Thanks for the information. We received no other calls or email about the situation on campus.

Pasted below is the account from today's Washington Post. The board met with students, but issued a statement standing behind the chosen president.

Fritz Mulhauser
Staff Attorney
American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area
1400 20th St., N.W. Suite 119 Washington, DC 20036

T. 202-457-0800
F. 202-452-1868

www.aclu-nca.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Protesters Occupy Gallaudet Classroom Building
Students Vow to Stay In Fight Over President
((Article removed due to space limitations - here is the link:))
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100600405.html

The Protest Made KTVU-2 Fox News here!!!

Message from Michele Berke, Tom Holcomb's wife last night:

I just saw Tara on our local Fox (only watching caise it is earlier) news. She was GREAT. And, my very biased opinion -- and my more impartial husband's -- is that it is coming across clealy that students have a very legit gripe...

From Ground Zero

Hey, am here at campus in hmb grandpa george and I decided to zoom to warehouse foodstore and bought supplies toilet paper, paper towels, cookies, water, sandwich stuff, pbj, snacks, nuts, gatorade, and came to HMB, now everyone is milling around waiting for meetings to start, some students are sleeping and camped out in their tents, more alumni coming etc, feels good to be here!
--Lisa Herberger (sent via pager)

FSSA/GUAA Booth at CSD Homecoming

Last night Karina generously shared the FSSA booth with the NorCal GUAA chapter at CSD Fremont's Homecoming game. We had a petition available for signatures, sign-up forms for the NorCal GUAA mailing list and for the Bay Area 4 Gally e-mail group, PDF printouts of the Buff and Blue special editions, the GUAA resolutions, and a lot more information. We walked around, asking for donations and talking to people about the issues. We raised $224, and that's a great start - but we need more! Please donate by coming up to us or e-mailing Karina at BAYAREA4GALLY@YAHOO.COM.

Here are a couple of pictures (taken under very low lights on a Sidekick, so please forgive the quality).


The Booth!


Mary Matthews-Bonner and Rory Osbrink manning (humanning?) the booth

-Jenny Cantrell, NorCal GUAA veep

Parents, heed this call for help!

-----Original Message-----
From: Joey Baer (response to Mary below)

Maybe it is good! Maybe our fssa chapter should ask those parents to write how they feel about gallaudet and how unsafe they felt about gallaudet - then it'll prompt other parents to share concerns! Then it means more pressure on bot to do something!

Hey!

Tonight at CSD was great for those who went and supported FSSA and Gallaudet students who are going through rough times...

But, I was so disappointed with the parents of 2 CSD students tonight. No one was around to hear what they had to say, and I just wished someone else from our group would hear them and tell them how we feel about it. One of them goes to hearing college and the other one will graduate this year, and will go to a hearing college, too. One of their parents said that she was grateful that her children did not go to Gallaudet, and was so glad that her last child will not go there next year. She said she could not stand what is going on, and was disappointed how our former students who graduated from CSD go to Gallaudet and get involved in what's going on. I told her that the education part is best there, but the society with Jane as Prez around sucks. She said that "all these going on, and us worrying too much over this are crazy!!! Her husband said he agreed with her that he was glad his kids did not go to Gallaudet University.

Sigh....

Mary (Matthews-Bonner, alum)

((Editorial Note here: Moral? GET THE PARENTS INVOLVED, WRITING LETTERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CALLING THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS!!! They have so much power. Let's tap into the parents worried about their children's safety and those who don't want their children to go to Gallaudet now. Get them writing and calling. If you're a parent of a Gallaudet student, please write and call!))

Forum @ CSD!

WHEN?? Monday, October 9th

TIME?? 4:30pm

WHERE?? CSD Fremont's Elementary Activity Center

WHY?? To discuss Bay Area's FSSA/GUAA's next plan of action.

SPREAD THE WORD, and come!

-Karina Pedersen, local FSSA Representative

Shout-Outs to Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia Gally Alums

#1 from: Joey Baer (sent via pager to several of us)

That was recently out that it is asking alumni to fly in and help - that's great. The more the better!

But from my standpoint here, i wonder if local alumni are doing enough? I don't think so because I understand many are staying neutral. Some local alumni made comments via pagers to folks here that things are calmer. Come on - wake up! We need every member of alumni to take the action!!

Whatever reasons, I think the local alumni need to do more to inspire even more people across the country. Do u understand where I am coming from?

At the same time, media is looking better and better for us. Use media!! Use media!! Call lawmakers. The more we work together, more power!!!!!

Unity for gallaudet!

Do forward to ur friends... we need to discuss more how alumni can be more involved. Enough is enough!

#2 from Sandra Ammons

Below is what I sent to 12 MD/ DC friends today.

The SF Bay Area FSSA Coalition/ GUAA Chapter and I are pleading for your help!

The protest at Gallaudet has escalated with unnecessary physical assaults on students recently. The IKJ and JKF administration has been using very dangerous and oppressive tactics on the students and FSSA supporters.

We are making plans to fly out to DC to give help to students but we wonder where the local Metro folks are. We wonder where those Alumni, within driving distance to Gallaudet, who could be with the students physically right now, giving them the support they badly need but they are nowhere to be seen.

Can you all go there and give some support to the students? Or at least recruit your other contacts to go there in your place?

PLEASE!!!

Thanks,

Sandra

Call for Alumni Representatives from EVERY Deaf Community!!

Last night, we had a FSSA/GUAA booth which we had alumni, parents and community members helping out in spreading awareness of what is happening at Gallaudet. THANK YOU to who came to help.

We are currently trying to raise money to be able to send Bay Area representatives. Last night we earned $224. KUDOS to you who helped! WE STILL NEED WHOLE A LOT MORE! If you want to donate, please contact me via BAYAREA4GALLY@YAHOO.COM.

With the community's voice and GUAA's inputs we have came up with an ideal criteria in our representatives.

- ALUMNI!
- A person with knowledge of politics/laws/legal actions
- A person who have worked at Gallaudet (SBG, Campus Life, Campus Activities)
- A person who knows a member or more on BOT and the adm.
- A person who can bring to the community there that they don't already have.
- A parent of current Gallaudet student is EXTRA bonus
- A person who can inspire, provide experience in a crisis, provide legitimate strategies/discussions/ideas/leadership to FSSA

Some of you have made nominations, and please e-mail me @ bayarea4gally@yahoo.com if you have any more nominations.

We have came up with top 4 nomination's, but still want to have your input on the criteria and names before we review the criteria and availability on the nominated people.

THIS IS CRITICAL to get this going.

THE BURNING QUESTION IS:
Should we send two reps NOW? I have received direct sources from FSSA and some staff members that it's "Thank you but no thanks"... BECAUSE TWO is not enough. They are encouraging us to push our local alumni in the area to GO.

So, I have thought about this and feel we should contact every Alumni we know in other states and push for them to send reps within the week... as we get unified support and we do send two reps asap with the group then send another two over the Homecoming weekend.

THE MORE ALUMNI GOES TOGETHER, THE MORE THEY WILL BENEFIT.

I'm communicating closely with them today and will look closely at this discussion and let you guide me and assist me in making a community decision.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.

GO and GET our fellow ALUMNI to commit into sending REPS PRONTO!

Also, there is A FORUM at CSD @ 4:30p in Elem. Activity Center. Please do come and share our concerns and discuss our next POA (PLAN OF ACTION).

Yours,
Karina

Advice to Students from local alumnus, Diana Herron, '86

Dear Gallaudet Students,

With the way things are going, the Gallaudet Board of Trustee members obviously are unified and they know that they have the privilege and the power to hire and fire a president of the university and this is accurate. This gives them the power to refuse, limit, and control the negotiation with faculty, staff and students. What they seem to have failed to understand that the ultimate power belongs to the students. The students have the economic power and they have entrusted the BOT to use it wisely. The students need to understand that collectively they can impact an economic chaos without resorting to violence. I recommend that all students withdraw from Gallaudet on Monday morning and demand refunds. Each student has the choice of returning to Gallaudet once the demands have been met or transfer to another university.

You have taken steps to maintain a peaceful protest. Unfortunately, you and the BOT have come to a standstill and every one is waiting for the other shoe to drop. You have five options to choose from and they are:

1) Accept status quo and resume normalcy.

I believe that this option is definitely out but it is an option to postpone the battle until a better opportunity arises.

2) Turn to violence.

This is an option that we should always prevent and it is used as the ultimately last resort so at this point it is a definite no but even if it is used this is almost always a lose-lose situation Right now, I am concerned about your safety especially with Gallaudet’s security personnel who do not understand sign language…we do not need another Carl Dupree incident! So, you must keep yourselves safe from violence and do not promote violence!

3) Call in alumni to help.

This option is a possibility; however, with the recent treatment from the BOT, it is most unlikely that they would even sit down to have a heart–to-heart talk with alumni members.

4) Ask Congress to step in and encourage or force negotiation.

Gallaudet receives funding from Department of Education and the university is a private institution, so therefore, it is unlikely that Congress will step in except to perhaps send a letter to plea for a more favorable negotiation that may lead to compromises between BOT and students (also FSSA). This approach could be a win-win or a win-lose situation depending on the outcome of the negotiation.

5) Create an economic chaos.

This option seems the most LOGICAL choice at this time to prevent violence and to get the BOT to the negotiating table or to meet your demands. To create an economic chaos, all students must be united to withdraw from Gallaudet until your demands are met

With this option, you will be inconvenienced temporarily with having to move out of your dormitory room. You may temporarily lose scholarships and government support such as Vocational Rehabilitation. You can reapply for funding and/or find new funding when you return to Gallaudet or transfer to another university.

You have to understand that there are risks involved in having all students withdraw from Gallaudet. This will lead to two possible scenarios: successful replacement of Dr. Jane Fernandes OR Gallaudet is forever history. Either way, you have to decide whether or not the consequence of closing the university forever is worth the battle. I personally would not want to jeopardize closing Gallaudet University but what good is it to keep it open if the President, President-elect, and BOT perpetuate the oppression of Deaf people?

All in all, you have to stay focused on the more global issue you’re fighting and that is the preservation of ASL, Deaf culture, and the rights of Deaf people as well as respecting and recognizing diversity within the Deaf community.

You have the power…use it!

Diana Herron
Class of ‘86

(Response from David Eberwein)

This is one smart strategy... While I agree that the local (DC, Maryland, etc.) Deaf community SHOULD be there in DROVES, more drastic measures need to be taken on the students' part. Look- they accomplished the impossible this week- they got the media narrative to shift into their favor (PAH!). All our communities (that aren't in the DC vicinity) are doing great and we should keep it up. However, Di's recommendation makes sense to me. Read on. And pls do forward!!!

DE

Buy a Shirt, Support the FSSA!

Our very own Maureen Klusza has put her two cartoons on various products at CafePress.com. The proceeds will go to support the protesters in various ways.

Go to: www.cafepress.com/moeart and stockpile those birthday and holiday gifts while fighting for social justice! *grin*

(Direct link to a white T-shirt with a cartoon at: http://www.cafepress.com/moeart.59063661)

DPS brutality toward Jory, one of our own!

(From Karina Pedersen's Xanga site)

This is WHY we should FIGHT for SOCIAL JUSTICE.

This student was trying to block DPS from entering HMB in those clips.
He got choked against the rail in HMB until he flipped over.

THIS GUY IS MY COUSIN.

THIS is NOT acceptable.

BAY AREA PEOPLE ARE FURIOUS.
We're calling every rep. in our districts, our senators and all the news we know.

WE DEMAND ATTENTION.
WE DEMAND RESPECT.
WE DEMAND THEM TO LISTEN.
WE DEMAND JKF'S RESIGNATION.

Many students and staff are not alowed to speak out.
Many are my family members and dear friends.

THEY can't SPEAK OUT... but WE CAN!

DO THE SAME IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
ANYONE can protest. YOU don't need only to be a Gally alumni.
ANYONE who is concerned for their rights, their safety has the RIGHT to do so.

http://www.xanga.com/smilinsoul/535692547/item.html

Proof of DPS brutality - please call your representatives!

Gallaudet students finally got the media to listen to them, it seems.
They are airing the brutality on news.

from a student:


Whoo they just showed the brutality clip on nbc 4 news!!

The PR office at Gallaudet sent a false press release claiming no
student was hurt and this clip proves who is telling the truth.


DO YOUR PART. CALL YOUR REPS/SENATORS.

From Karina Pedersen

PS - Don't know how to contact your representatives/senators? Here are two handy links (hat tip to MishkaZena)

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

**UPDATE**
Message from Chriz Dally-Johnson:

Please call our California senators because the way Gallaudet is handling the students' protest is not acceptable!!! For more information go to www.gufssa.org or google Deaf Read for more news.

Call through VRS, ip-relay or their TTY number (tty number is listed on their website). I called both using VRS and it was their first time receiving a VRS call, so it was good experience for the senators' staff.

Be sure to mention the fertilizer incident as well if that bothered you as much as it bothered me! Students have a right to protest and not be afraid of getting hurt. Feel free to distribute this widely to our California friends.

Call for help! Here's how you can help!

Tonight will be HOMECOMING @ CSD Fremont
(JV game @ 5:30 and Varsity's game @ 7)

We, the FSSA and GUAA, will hold a booth at the game.

We'll have sign up sheets, petition, and membership applications for GUAA available.

We will also be collecting donations for FSSA/GUAA to send two reps to Gallaudet over Homecoming weekend to offer our support. We possibly will try to send someone earlier if necessary. We'r trying to feel the situation at Gallaudet today before we look further in our next action plan.

If any of you want to help out at the booth or need anything, feel free to contact me!

Please bring $$$ to donate to local FSSA/GUAA chapter for our action plans.. We hope to collect $10 from 100 people. But every dollar COUNTS. DO what you can, collect and bring donations to the game tonight!

THANK YOU!

Karina

NorCal GUAA Rally Info and Links

Yesterday's rally was amazing! Many of us, from toddlers to still-spry senior citizens, Gally grads, RIT grads, and more, all came together to protest the social injustice occurring on campus and to send a message that we support the FSSA in spite of the chilly drizzly weather. We got updates on the horrifying events at 800 Florida Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002-3695, which fired us up even more. There were inspiring speeches, cute activities involving the children, chants, rallying cries, and a modified version of the Bison Song performed by 3 Bison Song alumni.

I was impressed by how everyone came together to prepare for the rally, pitching in with support, ideas, and taking on duties as needed. This is a wonderful place to be Deaf, and I'm grateful for it because we were able to put on a fabulous show of support for our Deaf homies stuck three thousand miles away, caught in a regime of terror, intimidation, and suppression.

Here are some links to pictures, a v-log, and more. If anyone has anything to contribute from the rally, please email me and I'll add it here.

Video of our rally

Pictures from Stefanie Ellis

Nora Yates' blog entry

Karina Pedersen's blog entry

We're in the newspaper! Take THAT, Irv, Fernie, and the BoT!

We made it into the San Francisco Chronicle and the Fremont Argus today! We'd been told that the Chron might run a story on Friday, but they bumped it up to today!!! I'm thrilled because now the public gets to hear how the protesters are not a tiny, little group - there are many, many of us supporting the FSSA quest for social justice! *handwave*


The SF Chron - Bay Area Section, page 3


The Fremont Argus, Local section

**To see each image better, you can click on each one to enlarge it.**

Thanks to Mark Carney for scanning the pics and to Joey Baer for sending them on!

Want to get emails about the Bay Area perspective?

We have had a Bay Area Yahoo mailing group, Bay Area United For Gally, since soon after the flawed selection was made public. Karina Pedersen, our FSSA rep, moderates the mailing list. Anyone who is a member of the local Bay Area community or has ties to the community can sign up.

Email bayarea4gally@yahoo.com to sign up.

Don't miss important news and updates from this corner of the country!

URGENT message from Karina, local FSSA rep

It's RUMBLING!

Gallaudet's tension is at its peak.

Check those links for updates:
Be sure to check Noah Beckman's presentation to BOT, the response from BOT was heartbreaking:
Noah addresses the BOT
GUFSSA
Thru Tate Tullier's eyes
SF Chronicle
Deaf Bison Net
RIDOR
Joey's VLOG
Bay Area's POV
Elisa
Jesse Thomas's Jots

The latest is that BOT is demanding the students to leave the Kendall Green Mall. The students are currently packed by WAB with the faculty and some staff protesting the naming ceremony.

The staff are currently working in fear, the fear that IKJ administration. brought onto campus. They can't join the protest, voice out their opinions because they have been threatened to lose their jobs if they did. There was vocal staff leaders for FSSA and now, where are they? They can't even voice their personal opinion.

There are still some students who are terrified. The community is torn and when you read those links and the stories unveil- your heart aches.

THAT IS WHY we have to continue and stand by them.

Some concern has been brought up, should we contribute $ to send our own reps to inspire and support the torn community @ Gallaudet?

Think it over. Share your inputs, ideas, suggestions. We need all inspiration, support and strategies the FSSA at Gallaudet could use.

TENT CITY RALLY was successful yesterday, resulting with features in SF Chronicle and Fremont's Argus. WAY TO GO!

More information on Bay Area's next step will be announced sometime over the weekend. Fremont has their Homecoming this Friday at 7:30p and we'll have some information ready there.

THANK YOU for all of your SUPPORT!

Yours,
Karina

TENT CITY AT CSD FREMONT AGAIN!

The first photos made available online! :) If any of you have more pics, comments, thoughts, links, vlogs, etc, email me and I'll post 'em!






Our very own Tent City Mayor, Maureen Klusza, a RIT graduate!


Maureen and our FSSA representative, Karina Pedersen


Karina updating us on what has been happening at Gallaudet

RALLY! RALLY! Wednesday at 4 pm!!! Tent City Rises Again!

***From our friendly FSSA representative, Karina Pedersen***

COME one, COME all!
FORWARD this to everyone in your corner. EVERYONE you know. We need all of your support. It doesn't matter if you ever went to Gallaudet or if you ever went to a school for the Deaf. We welcome everyone!
It is a rally to ensure members of our community gets their right to speak out. Right now, Gallaudet community is being oppressed and not allowed to speak out. This treatment at Gallaudet can NOT be acceptable. Come out and support SOCIAL JUSTICE!

Attached to this e-mail is a flyer for TENT CITY RALLY at CSD's soccer field on Walnut Ave. and Overcracker Ave.

_For those who can't open the flyer, here is the text of what the flyer says:_

TENT CITY RALLY

*When:
This Wednesday, October 2, 2006 at 4:00 pm

*Where:
At the soccer field on Walnut (near tennis courts) and Overcracker Ave (by railroad tracks and near Mission Blvd.)

*Why:
To show our support for the oppressed (and fertilized) Gallaudet Students

*Who:
Anyone who wants to support!

*Tent City Mayor*, Maureen Klusza & *FSSA Representative* Karina Pedersen run the rally with:
*YOU, *representating the Bay Area Community Deaf Members
* A march with signs and banners *MEDIA PRESENCE*
* Inspiring speakers, including *Tom Holcomb *and *Bridgetta Bourne-Firl
*Skits and *MANY MORE!

What to wear/bring:
*Warm clothes, WEAR BUFF & BLUE COLORS!
*Tents for display from Wed. through Saturday nights (choice to sleep there is your own)
* Food and Drinks
* SPREAD THE WORD AND SEE YOU THERE!*

(Flyer download link - Thank you, Adrian!:
http://www.saveourdeafschools.org/tentcityflyer_1.pdf)

Removal of First Amendment Rights at Gally

***Message from our FSSA rep, Karina Pedersen***

Do share news with everyone in your corner. This protest isn't limited to JKF. It is about social justice and right now, the community at Gallaudet is stripped of their rights to speak out, protest and the opportunity to share what they believe. Instead, they are instilled with
fear.

THAT IS NO WAY ANYONE should feel at anywhere. Gallaudet is supposed to be a learning, college environment rather than a place where students, staff, faculty feel the FEAR. It is our job as community members of the DEAF COMMUNITY to speak out for them. It's our job to support our fellow members for their rights to SPEAK OUT, DEMAND attention to the fact of
torn community at Gallaudet.

IF WE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS IN OUR OWN BAY AREA COMMUNITY... YOU would WANT everyone to take a STAND and FIGHT for us, as well. Let's rise and unite as members of the DEAF COMMUNITY and demand that the community of GALLAUDET gets the privileges they shouldn't fight for in order to fight a bigger battle they deserve the right to fight for.

THE FOUR DEMANDS must be met, the community SHOWS majority of STAFF, FACULTY AND STUDENTS who has NO FAITH in JKF. This simply shows that it MUST BE FOUGHT FOR.

PLEASE do attend the RALLY tomorrow at 4p at CSD. More info will be sent ASAP.

STAY TUNED for Wednesday's Rally

The FSSA representative, Karina Pedersen, and the Tent City Mayor, Maureen Klusza, along with many of us, are planning for Wednesday's 3 pm rally in Fremont. There are many creative ideas filling our pagers, and the rally will be a doozy. Stay tuned, and the plans will be revealed as soon as all is ready!

A note to those readers who are in Washington, D.C. and at Gallaudet -
We are so impressed by your bravery in spite of the wonderfully itchy, smelly organic Earth Juice and the other intimidation tactics. You ROCK, guys! KEEP IT UP! WE ARE BEHIND YOU!

I'd like to strongly suggest that the FSSA get the media involved - show them pictures of the Earth Juice being spread, point out that there was no sign warning about the hazards like there should be wheenver chemicals, fertilizer, and the like are used that could come into contact with humans. Get the public outraged. Take advantage of that.

Blog entry by Tara Holcomb

(Thanks to Maureen Klusza for finding this and submitting it.)

I am so proud of my hometown, Fremont, California. Their support has made a huge difference to me- Now I truly feel confident and ready to move on with our own Tent City here at Gallaudet. I am so tired of people saying that the protest is misguided and that it is made up of a few people. We have entire communities behind us and we will not give up. I am a fourth-generation Gallaudet student. I belong here at Gallaudet and I have no right to back down from making it a better place for EVERY Gallaudet student; past, present, or future. My family members are as diverse as it gets when it comes to educational backgrounds. I mentioned this in a previous entry but I am very serious about this. I do not want my mother to be rejected simply because she learned sign language when she was sixteen and never attended a residential school for the deaf nor Gallaudet University. I do not want my grandfather to be rejected because he promoted the educational philosophy of total communication. I do not want my stepmother to be rejected because she's hearing, nor my brother Troy because he hears very well. I do not want any single person who uses ASL and is proud of being a member of the Deaf community to be rejected simply because of the color of their skin, the ability to hear or not, the ability to speak or not, or the ability to sign fluently or not. The bottom line here is their attitude; their respect for the beauty of ASL and Deaf culture. Gallaudet serves those very people, and those people should have the right to say what happens at Gallaudet. It is very clear that Jane Fernandes cannot unify nor lead Gallaudet. Her actions since May 1, 2006 has further reinforced this point.



my dad, Tom Holcomb and Sandra Ammons: Gallaudet Alumni at Tent City, Fremont California

Reasons for Protesting:

1. Oppression
Students at Gallaudet feel oppressed. People of color feel oppressed. People with cochlear implants feel oppressed. People who aren't fluent in ASL feel oppressed. People who aren't fluent in English feel oppressed. Faculty feels oppressed. Staff feels oppressed. Everyone feels oppressed and scared here at Gallaudet. This is not healthy for any one who comes on campus, especially on a campus that brags to be the ONLY liberal arts university for the deaf. Which leads me to the next point....

2. Lack of Shared Governance
The Board of Trustees has a long history of not listening to the community. DPN happened because of this: the BOT did not listen to the consensus of the community and chose a hearing president. This protest happened because the BOT did not listen to the consensus of the community; both the Deaf community and the Deaf People of Color community. We were forced to open our eyes to every kind of prejudice that occurs here at Gallaudet, and that led to the forming of FSSA. It is absolutely necessary to share governance of Gallaudet with each group of stakeholders: faculty, staff, students, alumni, with the addition of the deaf community at large. Gallaudet is an unique place, and it should be treated as such. Otherwise, why does the public relations department at Gallaudet even bother to send out pamphlets reinforcing this idea.

3. Jane K. Fernandes is not an effective leader.
She has not raised educational standards at Gallaudet in her six years as provost. She has almost no support from those at Clerc Center where she was dean before she became provost. The faculty that served under her gave a 66 percent vote of no confidence in her abilities as a president of Gallaudet University. That same faculty, at a recent town hall meeting, raised concerns of being depressed because of their employment at Gallaudet. They also raised concerns that many faculty were counting down the days to their retirement because they are not happy here at Gallaudet... a so-called "mecca" of Deaf people? Of ASL? The staff here are terrified of expressing their opinions because they may be fired. Has Jane Fernandes opened the way for open communication and understanding here at Gallaudet?
The answer is an obvious NO. She has done nothing to unify the community after the protests in May. She has not contacted SBG once since the beginning of the school year- this says a lot, I believe. How can this woman lead Gallaudet if she is clueless about the concerns and issues of the community?

Therefore, we must continue with our protest. It is necessary to preserve the integrity of Gallaudet University and the community in which it serves. I repeat our two demands:

1. Reopen the search process (with multi-cultural lens in place)
2. Absolutely no reprisals for protestors (to protect everyone on campus so they can express their opinions)

This may not solve all the problems here at Gallaudet, but with an effective leader and a system of shared governance, it will put all of us on the right path.

"When leaders act contrary to conscience, we must act contrary to leaders"

Message from Karina Pedersen, local FSSA contact person

Some links to enjoy with pictures and info from TENT CITY IN FREMONT.

elisa's blog

nora's pictures

The Bay Area community (including some of you... THANK you for those who came!) gathered at CSD to show support to Gallaudet students who will start Tent City tomorrow.

We will send out further information for upcoming RALLY on WEDNESDAY. As details come, we'll send out information and please have the community come out and give their support!

Do tune in @ BAY AREA POV for further info.

Thank you for all the support! I'm so proud to be part of such enriching community!

If any of you have inputs for the Rally or on how we can support Gallaudet- please e-mail me @ BayArea4Gally@yahoo.com.

Yours,
Karina

Message from local Tent City Mayor Maureen Klusza

How cool is it that our Mayor didn't graduate from Gally? She loves the community and Gallaudet so much that even though she is a RIT graduate, she is doing all she can for the FSSA and for social justice! Go, Maureen, go! :)

Info shared at tent city:

-main reason why we all got together is to send a message to our gally students that we're with them -- support them.
-we want to make sure that this tent city protest is not being done by people from csd. we represent bay area deaf community.
-we will have rally this wednesday at 3pm and all will be wearing buff and blue colors.
-donations are welcome - see karina, maureen and melinda to give your donations and they will go to FSSA to help gally students with food, etc...
-we came up with a new signing to do chants together by signing : support, support, SUPPORT! (in greg hlibok's stronger, stronger and STRONGER style)
-we are working on having media to come this wednesday during our rally
-our media contact person is rory osbrink
-working on sharing our pictures into jenny's blog where everyone can see all the pictures of our tent city today
-GUAA resolutions were presented
-the students are so brave to start tent city when they have been told they will be arrested for trespassing

Thoughts from Mabs Holcomb

TENT CITY

POP UP A TENT TO SHOW SUPPORT TO STUDENTS

AT GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

ANY KIND OF TENT...NO NEED TO SLEEP IN ONE....

JUST A TENT OF ANY SIZE

OPEN A BOOK AND MAKE A TENT OUT OF IT

WILL BE DANDY...ANYTHING TO SHOW

FACULTY-STAFF-STUDENT-ALUMNI FSSA

THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MADE

A POOR CHOICE AND A NEW SEARCH

IS NEEDED TO SAVE

OUR BELOVED ALMA MATER,

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

THE BEST CANDIDATES TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT

WERE NOT GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSIDERED.

A NEW SEARCH IS NEEDED TO PICK THE BEST

ONES TO VOTE ON.....AMEN !!!

A NEW PEACEFUL TENT CITY APPROACH WILL BE

TRIED AGAIN ON THE CAMPUS TOMORROW,

OCTOBER 2nd..OPEN UP TENTS FOR THIS CAUSE.

OR GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY WILL BE DOOMED!

NorCal GUAA Chapter Letter & Resolutions

Today at Tent City Fremont, three resolutions were presented to the community and were met with wild applause. A huge thank you goes to Tom Holcomb for drafting these resolutions and to the 4 NorCal GUAA officers (Ed Leighton, president; Jenny Cantrell, vice-president; Alyce Lentz, secretary; and Colin Piotrowski, treasurer) for making them official.

We of the NorCal GUAA chapter would like to urge other chapters to join in this effort as well.

The below letter is going out, along with the three resolutions:

1 October 2006

TO:
Cynthia W. Ashby, Trustee
Dr. Brenda Jo Brueggemann, Acting Chair, Trustee
Susan J. Elliott, Trustee
Dr. Harvey Goodstein, Trustee
Bill Graham, Secretary
Pamela Holmes, Trustee
Dr. Tom Humphries, Trustee
L. Richard Kinney, Trustee
Ken H. Levinson, Trustee
Frank Ross, Trustee
Benjamin J. Soukup, Jr., Trustee
Christopher D. Sullivan, Trustee
Charles V. Williams, Trustee
Frank H. Wu, Trustee
The Honorable Ray LaHood, Trustee
The Honorable John McCain, Trustee
The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, Trustee
Dr. King Jordan, current President of Gallaudet University
Dr. Jane Fernandes, current President-Designate
Sam Sonnenstrahl, Executive Director, GUAA
Noah Beckman, SBG President
Alexander Zernovoj, GSA Vice-President

FR:
The NorCal Chapter, Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA)

We, the Gallaudet University Alumni of the Bay Area, are appalled and horrified at what we are being told about the suppression of First Amendment rights on campus, intimidation tactics being used, and blatant denial of the crisis of leadership and confidence that exists at the University. We are also concerned about the persistent misrepresentation of why many members of the Gallaudet community and the Deaf community are protesting Dr. Fernandes’ selection to lead the University. We love Gallaudet too much to stand idly by and do nothing while Gallaudet students suffer.

We have written and approved three resolutions that formally endorse the Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni (FSSA) organization’s mission, a call for the national GUAA board to do the same, a call for Dr. Fernandes’ resignation, the restructuring of the Board of Trustees, the search for a new president implemented, among other things. The three resolutions are enclosed in this message for your perusal.

We remain prepared to continue fighting against the social injustice that is occurring at our beloved alma mater.

Sincerely,

Jenny Cantrell
Vice President, NorCal GUAA Chapter

Resolution #1

Whereas the San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest concentrations of Gallaudet alumni;

Whereas many graduates of the California School for the Deaf, Fremont choose Gallaudet for their post-secondary education;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area remain deeply loyal to Gallaudet over the years;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area continue to celebrate on an annual basis the historical, peaceful Deaf President Now protest of 1988 as a reminder of how social injustice is best dealt with through peaceful, non-violent, and persistent means;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area are disturbed by the continued injustice at Gallaudet leading to the selection of the 9th president and continuing after the selection;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area are distressed by the oppressive measures being taken by the college administration and board to silence the students, faculty, staff and alumni;

Be it resolved that the Northern California chapter of GUAA formally endorses the mission of FSSA.

Be it further resolved that the Northern California chapter of GUAA formally requests that the National GUAA Board do the same and publicly affirm its support of FSSA.

Be it further resolved that the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area love Gallaudet too much not to take action against the injustice that is taking place on campus and hope that their actions are viewed in this light.


Resolution #2

Whereas the San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest concentrations of Gallaudet alumni;

Whereas many graduates of the California School for the Deaf, Fremont choose Gallaudet for their post-secondary education;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area remain steadfastly loyal to Gallaudet throughout the years;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area continue to celebrate on an annual basis the historical, peaceful Deaf President Now protest of 1988 as a reminder of how social injustice is best dealt with through peaceful, non-violent, and persistent means.

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area is disturbed by the continued injustice at Gallaudet leading to the selection of the 9th president and continuing after the selection;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area is distressed by the oppressive measures being taken by the college administration and board to silence the students, faculty, staff and alumni;

Be it resolved that October 1st, 2006 be proclaimed "Tent City - San Francisco Bay Day" as a show of our solidarity with Gallaudet students as they prepare to organize Tent City in their continued effort to reach out to the Board of Trustees;

Be it further resolved that the Northern California chapter of GUAA stands prepared to provide support to the students should the Gallaudet Administration take extreme measures to deny the students their right to express themselves in a peaceful manner.

Be it further resolved that the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area love Gallaudet too much not to take action against the injustice that is taking place on campus and hope that their actions are viewed in this light.


Resolution #3

Whereas the San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest concentrations of Gallaudet alumni;

Whereas many graduates of the California School for the Deaf, Fremont choose Gallaudet for their post-secondary education;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area remain deeply loyal to Gallaudet over the years;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area continue to celebrate on an annual basis the historical, peaceful Deaf President Now protest of 1988 as a reminder of how social injustice is best dealt with through peaceful, non-violent, and persistent means;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area are disturbed by the continued injustice at Gallaudet leading to the selection of the 9th president and continuing after the selection;

Whereas the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area are distressed by the oppressive measures being taken by the college administration and board to silence the students, faculty, staff and alumni;

Whereas the current administration is deliberately misconstruing the real issues of the protest thus creating a negative perception of the university, the students, the faculty and staff, and the alumni;

Whereas the ongoing crisis at Gallaudet is creating a divisive and fearful atmosphere on campus due to the lack of leadership of the president-designate;

Whereas the current Board of Trustees is unable to function separately from the current Gallaudet administration;

Be it resolved that the Northern California Chapter of GUAA requests the resignation of the president-designate so that the healing can begin.

Be it further resolved that the Northern California Chapter of GUAA requests that the Board of Trustees be restructured and implement a search for a new President.

Be it further resolved that the Gallaudet alumni of the San Francisco Bay Area love Gallaudet too much not to take action against the injustice that is taking place on campus and hope that their actions are viewed in this light.

Tent City at Fremont = RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed pictures, slide shows, comments, and more! I will continue to update this post with brief snippets and links, so keep checking back. :)

((Summary from David Eberwein))
Hey FYI today us Bay Areans gathered and put up our tents in support of FSSA and the students' tent city return!!! It was FUN- abt 30 tents, w/ about 75-100 in attendance! Pics, etc have all- hey you who have pis & video, send these Ridor & Elisa's way now, plus FSSA too!! (from Jenny - and send 'em HERE to this blog too. *grin*)

We'll return Wed w/ a much BIGGER participation- it'll be like over 200 for sure! Plus local media will be here! We all are here for the students & FSSA

((Slide show and comments from Mike Schmidt))
Hello there, am just providing a video link to our tent city pix at csdf. It's hard to believe that my kid, Janel (10th grader at CSDF) and I shot ten mins worth of pix. ;) I just bunched 'em together for a slide show video for fun, first time also. Am just offering my share if interested and I'm sure many more EX stuff to come from others for your blog. Gonna be hot hits there! Go Bay Area!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Ky97fkKe8
Cheers,
Mike Schmidt

((Pics from Adele Ann Eberwein))
http://bayareatentcity.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b322e415e425

((Pics from Nora Yates))
http://www.xanga.com/growithin/534317135/item.html

((More pics on Elisa Abenchuchan's site from a few Bay Area attendees))
http://www.xanga.com/elisa_abenchuchan/534324737/tent-city-in-the-bay-area.html

((Stacy and Tim Gough's album))
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=72811159751405137/l=212756594/g=5590884/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

((Maureen Klusza's album))
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcNGzVw1cs2FE&notag=1

((Nathan Montoya's album))
http://tentcitybayarea.shutterfly.com/action/

((Marsha Helmuth's album))
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=3621159836747840/l=213683013/g=50736932/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Call for submissions!

Call for submissions - anyone from the Bay Area who took pictures today, has comments supporting the protest in general, or writes a letter to the Board of Trustees, please feel free to e-mail me, using this link (E-mail the webmaster), and it will be posted here.

I will accept anything that is appropriate to the purpose of this blog and is from a local resident, including v-logs, letters to FSSA, thoughts, pictures of today's Tent City, et cetera. Feel free! :)

For example, the NorCal GUAA chapter's 3 resolutions and letter to the Board of Trustees, King Jordan, and Jane Fernandes, will be posted here.

As a teaser, here are a few pictures I took of today's Tent City with my pager:

MORE Info on Tent City at CSD Fremont!

((From the Bay Area Yahoo e-mail list))

PLEASE make banners, bring lunches, and be there before 2. We'll get to mingle and set up and enjoy lunch before we show off our support.

BRING EVERYONE YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE THERE. BE SURE TO WEAR GALLAUDET SHIRTS OR AT LEAST BUFF AND BLUE.

We'll also take a BAY AREA group picture to send to FSSA and the community showing our support, so more of you, the better.

Please read below a message Stefanie sent and forward it away!


From Stefanie:

if i might add....probably equally as important as the tents themselves are displaying signs and banners declaring our support for the students and FSSA in their fight to reclaim gallaudet!!!

our local media will be made aware of tent city at csd - thus, pictures will be taken. we will be filmed as well.

a sea of tents will undoubtedly be worth a thousand words...but banners and signs such as "WE SUPPORT FSSA", "WE ARE BEHIND YOU", "UNITY FOR GALLAUDET" will deliver a truly powerful punch!

SO...let's start making those signs and banners and airing out our tents for tomorrow!

let's show the world what the bay area deaf community is made of!!!

TENT CITY AT CSD FREMONT!!!

We, the community, have received permission to set up our own Tent City to support the Gallaudet students! They are starting Tent City again on Monday, but we are doing it earlier to let them know we are behind them.

WHAT: Local Tent City
WHERE: In the dirt area on the corner of Stevenson and Gallaudet
WHEN: BEFORE 2 pm on Sunday, October 1st - we will be filmed at 2 pm. Tents MUST be up before 2 pm.
WHY: To support FSSA, of course
WHO: Us and you, the local Deaf community!

We do NOT have to sleep there. Just get tents up and make them visible!

One request from CSD Fremont - please do not set up tents anywhere else. This is the only place that we will be allowed to set up tents.

Come one, come all!!!

The Bay Area is BACK!

We never stopped supporting the protest against the flawed process that led to a flawed results, but we lay dormant for awhile, just as the protest did. Now that the protest is in full swing again, the Gallaudet students, faculty, and staff have the full support of the local alumni and the Deaf community here!!!

We, spurred by the appalling meeting that the 7 FSSA faculty members had with Dr. Fernandes and by the fact that the students are bravely risking arrest by reconstituting Tent City on Monday, spent tonight generating ideas about how we can help the protest. We were joined by MJ Bienvenu, who is in town for the weekend. Her input helped us understand what is happening tremendously.

Here are the ideas we generated as well as various news items:

1. Give to FSSA, since Gally is blocking all efforts. They have been forbidden to use University property, networks, or resources for FSSA purposes. They need to consider buying video equipment, renting a PO box, and many other things.

2. Do NOT give money to Gallaudet University or Gallaudet Alumni Relations. Right now, Gallaudet controls most of the funds in GUAA's name. HOLD your financial contributions for GUAA until the GUAA Board sets up an independent alumni giving drive with a non-Gallaudet mailing address.

3. GO to Gallaudet Homecoming!!!

4. The GUAA Board is willing to consider options to help improve their status. They are limited in what they are allowed to do. If you go to Gally HC, they will have a forum from 5 to 6 one night. Go and make yourself heard.

5. What is happening at Gallaudet is oppression. The atmosphere does not allow for freedom of speech. FSSA has been told they are not allowed to contact the media nor to distribute information. Gallaudet's network wonks now monitor every single bit of e-mail to see if it is "objectionable," and that includes FSSA information. FSSA and protest messages never reach their destination. This is a clear violation of First Amendment rights. FSSA cannot contact the ACLU to get help. They need alumni outside of Gallaudet to do this for them.

6. Make demands about who can be on the Board of Trustees.

7. Stop donating money to Gallaudet, because to donate implies tacit approval/endorsement of what they are doing to the students and their responses to the protest.

8. WRITE letters to the Board of Trustees and CC to the FSSA. Get your local GUAA chapter, your local organization, etc, etc, to write their own letters as well.

The administration and the Board of Trustees believes that this is just one small group of whiners. We need to be vocal and make it clear that NO, this is a very large group and we are not giving up!

Suggestion from the Firls

From: "The Firl Family"
>
>
Friends -- Graduates of GU,

All of us are receiving materials from Gallaudet's Development Office and what should we do?

I suggest that each of us write back and say we would consider contirbuting only if the University follows the FSSA's demands. We are sorry that Gallaudet chose to fight against instead go with the internal issues (Faculty's vote of no confidence in the newly selected president) and external influence (over 4,000 people signed the petitiion support FSSA's efforts). Explain that we care very much about the University and will only contribute WHEN and IF the University opens its search process and select someone else for the president position.

(please feel free copy the text and forward to your friends)

CSD Kindergartener Luke Helmuth-Bella @ Tent City!

Submitted by his proud mom, Marsha Helmuth.
Thanks, Marsha, for the great pic!

The New Blog Site

Hey,

It's so nice being back on Blogspot, where I'm most comfortable. Some of the perks include the permanent listing of links on the right hand column and the easy-to-set-up RSS feed (which is also found on the right column). But because this is a blog for YOU, the Bay Area Deaf community, I'm going to shut up and just continue what I was doing - posting whatever updates I was offered in a neutral fashion. *grin*

The focus on this blog site, as always, is to provide information to and about our local corner of the Deaf-World, the Bay Area. We will leave the official Gallaudet updates to the already-established channels, such as the FSSA, the Gallaudet PR office, Elisa, and Ridor. But our reactions, commentary, artwork,