Protest Issues: Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: Fernandes was "not deaf enough" and was simply caught in the middle of a "deaf culture/identity" battle being waged by those who wish to exclude certain groups of deaf people.: FACT: Gallaudet has always had students from diverse communication backgrounds. Many oral students enroll and are accepted as a part of the Gallaudet community. In fact, quite a few protesters wear hearing aids or cochlear implants, some are hard of hearing, and many are from mainstreaming programs. As an example, this protester with an oral background posted about her experience at Gallaudet, prompting a long list of comments from fellow protesters with similar backgrounds.^[1]

MYTH: This was a student protest.: FACT: Faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and many organizations were also involved. 82% of faculty members passed a resolution calling for the resignation or removal of Dr. Fernandes. 168 out of 221 eligible voting faculty members were present at this meeting. Clerc Center staff members were involved, with 83% calling for Fernandes' resignation or removal.^[2] The Gallaudet Alumni Association, National Association of the Deaf, and parents and relatives of the students called for the resignation of Dr. Fernandes. View a more complete list of supporters ^[3]

MYTH: The protesters and other deaf people are resisting change caused by technology.: FACT: The protesters made heavy use of new technology such as email pagers, video relay services, blogs and vlogs, online video sharing services, and so forth. In addition, many protesters have cochlear implants. The deaf community has already embraced many new technologies and trends, often well ahead of the general population.

MYTH: Fernandes is a tough and qualified leader.: FACT: When President Jordan appointed Dr. Fernandes to lead the division of Academic Affairs as Provost of Gallaudet University, the Faculty Senate objected and reprimanded Dr. Jordan for violating the principle of shared governance in making that appointment.^[4]; FACT: Dr. Jordan admits violating procedures in appointing Dr. Fernandes as provost.^[5]; FACT: After Dr. Fernandes’s selection, the faculty issued four votes of no confidence, one of which detailed specific leadership failures. ^[6]; FACT: Last year, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget gave Gallaudet an "ineffective" rating, with many of the criticisms targeting programs under Fernandes' purview.^[7]; FACT: Tenure was granted to Fernandes despite a lack of published scholarly research.^[8]

MYTH: Fernandes was the only one qualified to lead the university.: FACT: Several candidates who applied, most notably Dr. Glenn Anderson, had more qualifications than the other two candidates who made it into the final round with Fernandes. This fact has prompted concerns about the process being rigged to favor Fernandes.

MYTH: The protestors were an unruly mob who prevented MSSD and Kendall students from attending classes.: FACT: Protesters were prepared to allow MSSD and Kendall staff on-campus so that education for pre-collegiate students could continue uninterrupted, but university officials made the decision to close the schools October 11 and 12.^[9]

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