Open Letter to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees,
Administration, and the Campus and External Community

Posted May 11, 2006
As posted on NAD

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is deeply saddened at the turn of events since issuance of its Third Open Letter, particularly the “deaf card” being perpetuated by the Gallaudet University administration, tacitly supported by the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees.

What exactly does this mean? Similar to the race card we know all too well, the “deaf card” has been played, to the hilt. To illustrate, a CNN.com story posted online on May 8, 2006 states: [Dr. I. King] Jordan, who backed [Dr. Jane K.] Fernandes' selection, said the current protest reflects “identity politics” and a refusal to accept change. “We are squabbling about what it means to be deaf,” he said.

The focus on “not deaf enough” and “deaf identity” has effectively detracted the media and all with vested interest in Gallaudet University away from the underlying focus on lack of leadership and trust which is inexorably tied to faculty, staff, student, and alumni protest efforts.

The public relations effort expended to date by the University in playing the “deaf card” has, in effect, set back national and global advocacy strides made by the deaf community for light years to come, causing long-lasting damage.

We condemn these tactics, given great harm to the credibility of the deaf community that these have caused.

The University Board of Trustees and its administrative leadership need to focus on the real issues at hand – exactly why loss of leadership and trust has transpired – by making the commitment to working with its campus and external constituents to begin what will be a protracted and painful healing process. Too much polarization and discord has happened both on and off campus, and it is clear that leadership recovery will be extremely difficult.

Despite our earlier call for “corrective action with courage and wisdom to resolve in a positive manner the growing discord, divisiveness, and disconnect on and off campus,” there has been no improvement. The NAD intends to continue its efforts to facilitate a positive resolution to the current state of affairs.

The NAD therefore calls upon the University Board of Trustees to take serious and decisive action – today – for the good of Gallaudet and its stakeholders as well as the national and global deaf community. The entire campus and external community needs to be part of the University’s healing process, and we at the NAD stand ready to be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Lange
President
National Association of the Deaf

Nancy J. Bloch
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of the Deaf