Today, Gallaudet's University Faculty had a meeting to discuss five resolutions.
There were 145 voting members present at this meeting! This number is phenomenal.
Here are the five resolutions in full and the results of each resolution. It's a bit lot to read, but well worth it.
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Faculty Resolution #1
May 8, 2006
Rationale:
Recent events have cast a powerful light on many issues of concern, and even conflict, for the Gallaudet University community. Campus climate studies and the current protest have opened up long overdue conversations about diversity, especially issues of institutional white privilege and audism. Such open conversations, while often painful, are also critical to the health of the community and are at the heart of university life. We recognize that these issues are at the center of our debates about Gallaudet’s future direction and wish to continue these conversations in the future in order to improve our community life.
Many disagree with the decision of the Presidential Search Committee and the Board of trustees. However, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees is charged with the ultimate legal responsibility for choosing the president. Respected members of the faculty were on the Presidential Search Committee who are known to be people of strong character and great integrity. There is simply no concrete evidence that the process was impeded, compromised, or contaminated by prejudice or bias. Moreover, there is neither compelling reason nor orderly mechanism to nullify the Board of Trustees legal decision. Additionally, the ongoing protest tears at the fabric of the institution and damages us all in both the short and long term.
We therefore propose the following resolution as a statement of the views of the Faculty, to be communicated by the chairperson of the faculty to the president of the university, to the Board of Trustees, and to be disseminated by any and all other means which he sees as appropriate:
§ Whereas, we recognize the critical importance of the issues raised by the protest regarding:
· The place of Gallaudet and its president as symbols of the Deaf community;
· The future of Gallaudet as a cultural and educational institution that is welcoming and relevant to all; and
· The meaning of respect and being heard at Gallaudet.
§ Whereas, the recent protests over the appointment of the ninth president of Gallaudet University are continuing conflict and division within the university and overshadowing the learning dialogue taking place;
§ Whereas, there is no demonstrated evidence of wrongdoing or illegality in the search process;
§ Whereas, the faculty has varied and conflicting opinions about the newly appointed president and the recently concluded search, but wishes to promote understanding, cooperation, and dialogue in the Gallaudet community in an ongoing process;
§ Whereas, the faculty wishes to promote the fight against audism and racism, and to make Gallaudet an inclusive deaf university of academic excellence;
We, the faculty of Gallaudet University, resolve to:
- Accept the decision of the Board of Trustees;
- Work with the 9th President of Gallaudet University and the entire Gallaudet community to begin to address the issues highlighted by the protest and continue in a spirit of open dialogue, civil exchange of perspectives, and shared governance;
- Commit to no retaliation against any individuals regardless of their views and to working with all students and colleagues in a professional and ethical manner.
49 Ayes
96 Nays Resolution Failed
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University Faculty Resolution #2
May 8, 2006
Whereas the Gallaudet Board of Trustees has conducted a national search for the ninth president of Gallaudet University,
Whereas the Board has chosen Jane K. Fernandes to become the University's ninth President,
Whereas this selection has caused great concern at the campus and national level for several reasons, which include but are not limited to:
a) perceived flaws in the search process;
b) a faculty consensus that Dr. Fernandes does not possess the appropriate skill set to lead the University or to heal the current rifts that are in evidence; and
c) a loss of confidence in the Board's ability to reflect the sentiments of the campus and the Deaf community;
Be it resolved that the University Faculty hereby requests that Dr. Jane Fernandes publicly renounce her appointment as Gallaudet's ninth president.
77___ Ayes Resolution Passed
68___ Nays
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Faculty Resolution # 3
May 8, 2006
WHEREAS, students of Gallaudet have made their two demands known:
1) The Presidential Search process be re-opened
2) There be no reprisals
WHEREAS a coalition of faculty, students, staff and alumni (FSSA) have agreed to support those demands,
WHEREAS the PEP faculty unit within GSPP and the Department of Math passed resolutions in favor of reopening the search process;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Gallaudet University faculty demand that the search process be reopened and that there be no reprisals.
85_ayes Resolution Passed
58_nays
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Faculty Resolution #4
May 8, 2006
WHEREAS Gallaudet University faculty conducted a poll on April 26, 2006 that revealed that 66% of the faculty who voted found that the current Provost is not acceptable for the position of President;
WHEREAS over the past six years as Provost, Dr. Jane Fernandes has not demonstrated an ability to effectively lead, nor has she demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of shared governance;
WHEREAS during the past, and during the recent student protests, she has not provided the leadership necessary to unite all the constituencies of the Gallaudet community;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Gallaudet University faculty express no confidence in Dr. Jane Fernandes as President-elect.
93 ayes Resolution Passed
47 nays
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Faculty Resolution #5
May 8, 2006
Whereas the Gallaudet Board of Trustees has conducted a national search for the ninth president of Gallaudet University, which resulted in three finalists, all of whom were qualified according to the search criteria;
Whereas the University Faculty applies no cultural-deafness litmus test to the candidates for the position;
Whereas the Gallaudet Board of Trustees has, at the conclusion of that search, selected Dr. Fernandes to become the ninth president of Gallaudet University despite
- a recent Faculty poll showing that Dr. Fernandes has an acceptability rate among the Faculty of only 36%, while the other two finalists had much higher acceptability rates of 53% (Stern) and 64% (Weiner);
- a history, as Provost, of violation of the University's Faculty Guidelines and Bylaws, including, but not limited to
- acceptance of tenure for herself that had been granted in violation of the Faculty Guidelines and despite insufficient qualifications;
- overturning, without consultation with the Faculty, of decisions made by Faculty Committees C and recommendations made by Committee E
- a history, as Provost, of neglect of her duties, including, but not limited to
- leaving the library leaderless for four years and allowing it to be severely unfunded during her entire tenure as Provost
- inattention to implementing the Climate process
- poor oversight of an academic Dean who experiences difficulties in management and interpersonal relations skills;
- the demonstrated inability, for all the reasons stated above, to lead the University;
The University Faculty therefore declares no confidence in this decision of the Board of Trustees to appoint Dr. Fernandes as President of the University.
80__Ayes Resolution Passed
57__Nays
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