On October 17th, the National Board of the Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority has issued an open letter, stating that Jane Fernandes must resign.
On October 26th, the International Alpha Sigma Pi Alumni Association has issued an open letter, also stating that Jane Fernandes must resign.
Today, on October 27th, the Kappa Gamma International, Inc. has followed suit.
Below are the letters:
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PKZ -
October 17, 2006
This open letter is to declare our support for the student, alumni, faculty, and staff protesters at Gallaudet University, many of whom are Sisters of the Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority.
The members of the National Board of the Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority are very concerned about the serious crisis that is presently occurring on the Gallaudet University campus. We are aghast and heartsick that President, Dr. I King Jordan, ordered the arrest of students. We strongly believe this was a travesty, and take umbrage to Dr. Jordan’s statement that he had no choice in the matter. We believe that neither Dr. Jordan nor president designate Dr. Jane Fernandes have demonstrated leadership in resolving this crisis.
Furthermore, we express indignation at Dr. Fernandes’s editorial in The Washington Post, published the morning after the arrests of 134 students, staff, and alumni, in which she once again plays deaf-identity politics. We recognize that “all kinds of deaf people” are involved in this protest, and we want to protect and preserve the long history of our beloved alma mater.
We support the need for change in leadership and improved conditions at Gallaudet. We strongly believe that there is only one resolution to this crisis: Dr. Jane Fernandes must step down or be removed for the good of the university.
The National Board of the Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority
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ΑΣΠ -
October 26, 2006
For three weeks now, our beloved alma mater has been in turmoil. The members of the Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity are concerned about the events happening on campus.
The members of the Executive Board of the International Alpha Sigma Pi Alumni Association recognize that there is a crisis on campus and that the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees has not responded in any way to the current situation on campus, instead leaving it up to President Jordan to resolve the issue – and he has not been able to do so in ways to de-escalate the situation.
We believe that neither Dr. Jordan nor president designate Dr. Jane Fernandes have demonstrated leadership in resolving this crisis.
We recognize that the Gallaudet Board of Trustees is preparing to meet on Sunday, October 29, and we hope that the Board of Trustees recognizes the need for change and action at Gallaudet.
We support the need for change in leadership and improved conditions at Gallaudet. We strongly believe that there is only one resolution to this crisis: Dr. Jane Fernandes must step down or be removed for the good of the university. Although the Executive Board recognizes that this is not the only solution but is the first step in the path towards change, reconciliation and healing at Gallaudet.
-The International Alpha Sigma Pi Alumni Association.
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ΚΓ -
KAPPA GAMMA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
STATEMENT ON THE GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP CRISIS
Kappa Gamma International, Inc. is the alumni association of Kappa Gamma Fraternity, the oldest fraternity on Kendall Green. Since 1901, our 1,800 alumni and honorary brothers have served with honor and distinction as leaders and active participants in the Deaf community nationally and internationally. We are proud to be a part of our alma mater. Each and every one of us loves Gallaudet, and is true to Gallaudet and the ideals for which it stands. We want nothing but the best for the university and its students.
Nearly six months ago, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees selected Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as the ninth president of Gallaudet University. This decision has been roundly and soundly decried. Nearly every constituency of the university has expressed grave concern about Dr. Fernandes’s ability to lead the university.
The Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel said, “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” We agree, and for that reason we have supported the protests that began in May and continue to this day. We also have provided support to our brothers who have given of their time and energy to be involved in this collaborative effort.
At the same time, we have watched the escalation of the protests with consternation and alarm. We are concerned for the students at Gallaudet University and the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. We are similarly anxious about our brothers and other members of the community who have put their education, their livelihoods, and even their lives at risk. We are dismayed and disgusted at what we have seen: the mass arrests on Friday, October 13, the “postponement” of official Homecoming activities that was announced on Tuesday, October 17, and the razing of the encampment at the Brentwood gate on Wednesday, October 25 were particularly egregious incidents, and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms.
Within our ranks, we have had calls to withdraw our children, many of whom are second, third, and even fourth generation Gallaudet students, and some of whom are Kappa Gamma brothers. Those of us with young children who are deaf and hard of hearing are reassessing their children’s post-secondary education options. Finally, a large number of our brothers have decided to withhold charitable giving to the university pending resolution of this crisis.
As concerned, pragmatic observers, we recognize that the truth is elusive, and that we need to continue to seek the truth. We recognize that both sides are passionate in their beliefs and resolute in their convictions. We also acknowledge that there has been a great deal of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and misappropriation, and that no single, simple resolution of this crisis is likely to satisfy all stakeholders. We call for a dialogue between people on all sides of the issue—people who are willing to speak and act in good faith, people who can commit their constituencies and larger audiences to a mutual resolution of immediate concerns and shared “ownership” of long-range concerns.
At the same time, we have concluded that this dialogue and subsequent healing cannot begin as long as Dr. Fernandes remains “in the picture.” Ending this impasse must begin with Dr. Fernandes’ resignation or removal. We urge the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jordan, Dr. Fernandes, and the community within and beyond Kendall Green to work together to resolve this impasse. One it has been resolved, we hope that everyone will work toward the ultimate goal: a better Gallaudet for all.
KAPPA GAMMA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
OCTOBER 27, 2006
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By the way, it isn't just members of the fraternities and sororities speaking out but members of other collegiate and outside departments & organizations speaking out. Such are:
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science
Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD)
Maine Assciation of the Deaf (MEAD)
...and many more!
Letters continue to pour in from Gallaudet alumni and notables. Even the Seniors of MSSD have issued a letter, stating their support of the protest.
Somehow, the deaths of Eric Plunkett and Benjamin Varner came into the picture. Carl Plunkett, father of Eric, wrote an
editorial in the Washington Post.
Sammy Wasilowski has responded to Carl's editorial. So has
the former RA's, CRE and GA who have brought in further evidence of JK's ineffective management as a leader.
Keep checking open letters and press releases at
GUFSSA.orgAt this point, people are currently emailing Dr. Tom Humphries at Thumphries@ucsd.edu to inform him that they do not support Jane Fernandes as the next president of Gallaudet University.
Unity for Gallaudet!
