Student protesters at Gallaudet University said their four-day takeover of the main classroom building has gotten the attention of the school’s president.
Outgoing President I. King Jordan Monday met with the students during a rally outside the Hall Memorial Building, where hundreds of students, faculty and alumni have barricaded themselves in protest of the selection of the school’s next president.
Jordan’s appearance Monday was a sign that he has received the protesters’ message, alumnus Brian Riley said.
“He was communicating with us, listening to us,” Riley said. “That’s a change. Usually it’s one-way.”
The students are demanding that the school reopen its search for president. They also want the administration to promise that the protesters will not be punished.
In a letter sent to campus leaders and supporters Monday, Jordan said the protesters have changed their demands, vandalized a school building and harassed board members and Jordan’s family.
“Some of their actions have been shameful,” Jordan wrote. “They have tried to impose their will on everyone at Gallaudet by taking over HMB.”
Those who have broken the law will face the consequences, he said. Administrators have threatened to send in the D.C. police to break up the demonstration. Meanwhile, protesters held a barbecue for supporters Monday night.
The 142-year-old Gallaudet is the nation’s only liberal arts institution specializing in educating the deaf and hearing-impaired. The protesters said the selection process for the school’s next president didn’t take diversity into consideration.
President-elect Jane Fernandes has said some people don’t consider her “deaf enough” to be president. Fernandes was born deaf, but grew up speaking instead of using American Sign Language. She will take over the post in January.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
