Open Letter to Board of Trustees from WAGUAA

October 26, 2006

To Gallaudet University Board of Trustees:

We desire to send our message to Gallaudet from 3,000 miles away. We are saddened with the recent events that took place at Gallaudet. We hosted a Tent City in Seattle to show our support for FSSA's desperate plea for a regime change. About 60 people showed up at the event, and many others were with us in spirit. In fact, there are over 60 Tent Cities, including one in Japan. All of us are trying to send our message to you. So, we ask you to please hear us out.


Simply put, we are concerned about the misassumption that has been perpetuated by the media that we did not want Dr. Fernandes because she's not deaf enough. This is absolutely untrue. It has everything to do with what she has had done during her regime as a Provost. The Gallaudet Community saw her as an incompetent administrator. She took away many essential programs assuming that they are of no value without seeking any input or even bothered to seek compromise from the community.



Simply put, we are very dismayed that the Gallaudet administration repeatedly ignored the Gallaudet University community; the students, faculty and staff's voices. This is contrary to the real role of a university president which is to foster, promote, and uplift the university community. We are concerned that since Dr. Fernandez demonstrated varying degrees of control such as making decisions without any input from the Gallaudet community, sending out subtly oppressive messages of insecurity and fear. We would not want such autocratic leader in America, and we're sure you'd agree with this.

As outsiders and caring alumni, we observed that the protestors are legitimately concerned about the continual non-communicative oppression within the Gallaudet University as evidenced by various acts of silencing the students, faculty and staff for years. We do not want this domineering attitude in our future Gallaudet president, deaf or not. We simply do not want to see Gallaudet to fall into the wrong hands, the one belonging to an incompetent administrator who makes and controls all the decisions.



We want someone who has strong leadership qualities, including empathy and cheerleading skills. We especially want someone who has a deep respect for social justice. We also especially desire someone who will truly take the time to interact with the Gallaudet community and to talk and discuss changes before they occur. We especially want someone who knows how to do two-way communication and respect each and every person as being unique.

Lastly, please open your eyes as there are thousands of incredibly amazing unified voices: Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, CODA, and hearing people around the world asking for the same thing. We genuinely believe this that according to FSSA's number one demand it is really and truly reasonable and honorable for the Board of Trustees to reopen the presidential search and selection process is the only peaceful solution to the ever-worsening crisis at Gallaudet. There is no other way.