Disciplinary action against more than 100 Gallaudet University students could lead to more protests when school reconvenes next month, according to demonstration leaders.
The board of trustees of the nation’s most prominent school for the deaf agreed last week to go forward with campus judicial proceedings after placing a monthlong freeze on the process.
Campus protesters closed down the campus, set up a tent city and went on a hunger strike this fall in opposition to incoming president Jane Fernandes. More than 125 students who were arrested for blocking school entrances still face campus disciplinary action.
Arrested student LaToya Plummer called the renewed sanctions “added salt to our wound.” She said it was unfair to punish only those who were arrested when there were many others involved.
“They just steered us off the track towards healing,” Plummer said. “They are asking for more trouble.”
Protest leader Ryan Commerson said dismissing the sanctions would help heal the divided campus.
Commerson, who was not arrested, said he was facing other reprisals from the university. He said his bosses fired him from his campus job without explaining why he was being let go. He wants his job back.
Student protesters say they hope incoming interim president Robert Davila will intervene and drop the sanctions. Davila was named interim president earlier this month after the board of trustees relented to the raucous demonstrations and removed Fernandes before she had a chance to start the job.
Davila, who officially starts Jan. 2, has been meeting with campus administrators to learn more about the disciplinary action, Coogan said.
Board Chairwoman Pamela Holmes said that she believes the disciplinary action will be handed out fairly.
