What do I Think of Jane Fernandes?

I normally do not write about what is happening at Gallaudet, leaving it to others to sort out the facts and make sense. But this time it’s too important, I have to go “on record.”

There are so many issues right now. My understanding is that the major protest is mainly all about Jane Fernandes and BoT (Board of Trustees). I understand that we want her to resign. And we ask the BoT to re-open the presidential selection process. Not only that, but they also deal with oppression and audism. Oppression and audism have to be stopped!

I have to be extremely careful with what I say here. I will tell you what I think of it. Before I go ahead, I want to remind that I am deaf here, so you will see the words like ‘we”, ‘our’, and ‘us.’ I am referring to the deaf community. However, I cannot speak for all of us; but some things I can speak for, based on the experience and facts. In addition, I am not a Alumni. I went there twice, one in 1994 and 1999. Yet Gallaudet will always be part of my life because I have many friends there.

At the beginning, I was partially following what was going on with the presidential selection before and after the announcement; of course, I knew so little. However, I did check the Gallaudet site on presidential selection process time to time through http://www.ridorlive.com, which I am a regular reader, and his link referrals. But I am now following them religiously … right now it is getting bigger and serious.

Also, long before the president process and selection, I found out that Jordan King is going to retire. I was like, wow. He was the biggest thing to happen to us ever; it was the most well-known event happened back in 1988, known as DPN (Deaf President Now). I was in grade 7 when it happened. I was 13 years old. In my class, my teacher turned on the TV and we, the students, watched on the news. When I heard that Jordan King was selected, I was very exhilarated because he is the first deaf president at Gallaudet University. Before that, for more than 230 years, we did not have a deaf university president. It was the most wonderful event for all of us.

On April 12, 2006, they announced the top three. Honestly, I did not remember seeing Jane Fernandes on the top three. I thought someone like Bobbie B. Scoggins would be on that list, just because I knew her. I went to KY School for the Deaf. I met her at least twice. Anyway, Jane Fernandes actually was on the list; I must have been blinded, or not impressed with her appearance or experience. Well, according to blogs I read, she was rarely mentioned, unlike the two other candidates: Ronald Stern and Stephen Weiner was all the bloggers could talk about and hoped either one of them would be selected. They were very good choices. I learned so much about them both, but so little I knew of Fernandes until she entered in the public after May 1st. I only remembered her being mentioned in the newspaper during her position as the Provost.

For those who do not know who they are, you can read a brief summary of each candidate below (I copied and pasted from Gallaudet’s site – Presidential Search Finalists – Campus Visits):

Ronald Stern has served as Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf since 2000, and was previously Director of Instruction at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont for ten years. He has a B.A. in Sociology from Gallaudet, an M.A. in Special Education from California State University at Northridge. Ron expects to complete his Ed.D. at the University of New Mexico in December 2006.

Stephen Weiner is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Gallaudet University. His previous administrative roles at Gallaudet include Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies (1995-2001), Executive Director, Student Development (1993-94) and Director of the Career Center (1990-1993). Both his B.A. and M.A. are from Gallaudet and he earned his Ed.D. in Counseling and Development from American University.

Jane Fernandes has been Provost at Gallaudet University since 2000, and previously served as Vice President for the Clerc Center from 1995-2000. She received her bachelor’s degree in French and Comparative Literature from Trinity College in Connecticut,and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in Comparative Literature.

Also, you can go to notwithoutus.org, and you will see the players with name links, you can click each to learn about each player.

May 1, 2006 was the upsetting, confusing, and lost day for us. We found out that Jane Fernandes was selected to be the president of Gallaudet University; I personally found through http://www.ridorlive.com. After the announcement, we were bewildered, shocked, and upset. It was an emotional day for all of us. We did not understand how it happened. We wondered if BoT had listened to us. Also, was BoT actually making the right selection? Was President Jordan behind this? There are actually many more question marks about this. We are definitely not happy with the choice. Simply put, our stomachs were sickened by the selection.

Allow me tell what I thought of Gallaudet University:

Gallaudet is the most vital part of our lives. Gallaudet matters to us. We matter to Gallaudet. As many of you know, Gallaudet University is the ONLY deaf university in the world. Gallaudet is our own kind. It is truly the center of the vast deaf community all over the world. It is a unique university. This university has much potential to hold the future of the deaf community. It represents the possibilities to overcome the barriers of communication and oppression; and audism. In fact, Gallaudet should be free of all barriers. It also should not be administrated or led by the audists. It is the only place where we will be always felt comfortable and able to go on with our lives and have the best education. Faculty, staff, and students do sign in sign language everywhere. Sure, many universities have deaf programs where deaf students can obtain services, providing interpreters and note takers, and they continue their education there, but it is not the Gallaudet-style. Gallaudet can help save the deaf community and education all over the world. Gallaudet is our protection of our culture, our education, and our community.

Therefore, we must have a strong and outspoken leader to lead the university and the community all over the world. It is a BIG job. Gallaudet University is NOT like any other university because it is our own kind. It is very important to have someone who has a wealth of knowledge in deaf culture and education; someone who can fight for our rights; someone who can topple the barriers of the communication and oppression barriers, and the audism. We have been oppressed for so long. We have audists in our times. It is time for us to have free of all: No more oppression and audism!

Since May 1st, I watched her carefully through media, blogs, her responses to the newspaper, and interviews. Also I watch her how she acted. When I heard that, I was reluctant the idea of her being the president. Why I feel that way? It is because no one has talked great things about her. I was a bit uncomfortable with it.

After a careful consideration based on all of facts and videos, I realize she was not the right person to lead Gallaudet. Why do I think she should not lead Gallaudet? Is it because that she is not “deaf enough”? Is it because she was not raised as culturally deaf? Is it because she was oral then converted to sign language later in life? NO! Look at Jordan, he didn’t become deaf until the age of 21, yet he led Gallaudet well. Our first step was getting a deaf president in 1988. We outdid! Now it is time to get a better president, and yes, we still want a deaf person to lead the university. But when I look at Jane, I don’t feel any connection to her. I don’t. She has not inspired me yet. She lacks leadership. She apparently did not do well on media, in the newspaper, or on videos. Some of her comments are very annoying. So far, I have not seen her vision of Gallaudet not yet. She acts like she knows what she is doing. I honestly don’t think she does. Apparently, she is not prepared.

Unfortunately, not everyone can be a leader. It takes years of experience of leadership. Well, she could have done in her Provost years to prove her leadership to everyone. No one can say it is easy. It is challenging. Apparently Jane cannot take up the challenge; at least she did not show it for 6 years. Being a president of the university and to the deaf community is tough.

I truly am afraid for Gallaudet if she stays as the president. I was not enough determined that she would be a right person. I did read her resume. She has a lot of experience. I notice she did mostly administrative. According to her resume, she apparently is good at administrating. Well, I cannot say she is good at because I don’t know her well. Some thought she did a lousy job. But the only concern is her leadership: Is she a leader? I don’t have a confident in her leadership. I think she would be a weak leader. I know I may be a bit harsh, but that is what I see. She apparently cannot handle the situation like this, of course we did not want to do anything with her at all.

You probably think how do I know if she is not a good leader? Well, I have done a lot of organizations in high school and college. I was SBG President twice in high school and at Gallaudet’s NW Campus, which is no longer now. I will know when I see a good leader.

Fernandes told the media that they said she is not “deaf enough”, but now she admited that it was not the issue anymore. That is damn right! It is not the issue; in fact, it never was. Recently, she thinks there is no crisis at Gallaudet, but actually it is. Now I am thinking: That is not what a leader should do. She is supposed to say something professional, like a true leader. One video clip shows her interview with a blonde woman … one thing that bothers me is that she nods too much. She needs to stop nodding, that is not professional! I don’t see any leaders do that. Maybe they nod, sometimes, in agreement, but the questions the blonde woman asked are not something you should agree to. Also, she did not answer to questions very well. She seemed not know how to answer well. To me, I would say that she could be a disaster and an embarrassment to the deaf community. In fact, I am already embarrassed at what she did and does now.

In closing, we want someone to lead Gallaudet well. A leader should have a vision. He or she should able to change the image of Gallaudet and the deaf community for the better. Without a vision, it is no good. That leader shouldt have a wealth of connections to deaf culture, to education, and to deaf community all over the world. That is a mandatory, for sure. He or she should know what is best for Gallaudet but not only that, but also for the vast deaf community all over the world. That person has to be a great role model, and of course, has to be well-liked.

I don’t see Jane Fernandes doing any of that. Why would a leader lead a university if he or she was not likable and not a good role model? With her presidency, it will be worse? Since she did not show her talents and abilities in leadership during her Provost job, why should we trust that she will do a better job? We cannot afford to give that responsibility to Jane Fernandes. We need someone who is the right person to lead Gallaudet into a better future for the deaf community. With Jane, the future of Gallaudet will become brittle. We do not want that.

I hope Jane will resign and have BoT reopen the process again at once. BoT, I don’t know why you people don’t see what is happening there. I am very surprised that you don’t handle it well and refuse to work with them. Don’t make any worse now. It makes me sad to see things getting worse. Jane, don’t take the pride and ego. Step down, and let the BoT do the job again and make sure it is processed properly.

Unity for Gallaudet!