Gallaudet University’s trustees reached out to critics Friday, promising that there would be no reprisals against those who protested the selection of the university’s new president.
In a statement dated Friday and made public by the university, the board of trustees said it “will not tolerate” any retribution against those who protested for two weeks after provost Jane K. Fernandes was announced as president.
Gallaudet is the world’s only liberal arts college for the deaf. Many view the presidency as a key seat in the deaf world. Protesters said that Fernandes istoo abrasive to run the university and that her selection was rigged.
Fernandes said that protesters didn’t trust her because, though born deaf, she grew up speaking and therefore wasn’t “deaf enough.”
Protesters demanded that Fernandes step down, that the selection be reopened and that there be no reprisals. While standing by Fernandes, the board of trustees Friday promised that it would form “a blue-ribbon” committee to improve lines of communication amongst students, staff, faculty, alumni and donors.
