HURWITZ! ROSEN! STERN! WEINER! WHOA!
It was announced by Benjamin Soukup, Chairman of Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees that four finalists will compete for the position as President of Gallaudet University.
Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, President of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Vice President and Dean of Rochester Institute of Technology.
Dr. Rosalyn Rosen, Director of Cal State Northridge’s acclaimed National Center on Deafness (NCOD).
Dr. Ronald Stern, Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf.
Dr. Stephen Weiner, Provost of Gallaudet University.
Here’s the link of the vlog that I created at National Association of the Deaf conference in New Orleans. You can see Drs. Hurwitz, Rosen and Weiner chatting!
Click here to watch the video above. It is very entertaining!
Picture of Dr. Stern here
Good luck!
Best,
Amy Cohen Efron
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
[...] DEAF WORLD AS EYE SEE IT HURWITZ! ROSEN! STERN! WEINER! WHOA! This blog has a link of video chat between Hurwitz, Rosen and Weinner. [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Hurwitz – Ethics. Friendly to the new order of the deaf community. Easygoing with the mainstream. Smart acumen. He stayed long at RIT. Not broken, why fix? Some sees this as a risk to his legacy established at a real-world leading institution of higher education. True leaders takes big risks. Heart to do this. Deep down I’m not surprised he put his name in the mix. Refreshing for GU.
Rosen – Many said she’s old girls network. She was supposed to be the former President of Gallaudet followed by Davila starting a long time ago. Easy to like. Bittersweet if she chosen. approachable. Deep down I’m not surprised she put her name in the mix.
Stern – Many said he’s old boys network. He did lots at the very tiny, state-run New Mexico School for the Deaf. New Mexico’s lawmakers are approachable and this is so unlike of California where he was Director of Instruction under the big shadow of the venerable Dr. Hank Klopping. Tough question: will Stern be able to be in position to be President of GU if not for his current situation at NMSD? What about university-level experience in administration? From Santa Fe, New Mexico to Gallaudet. Hmm? Rock Star aura won’t carry weight in Congress when the monies are counted. Never cease to surprise me that he’s putting his name in the mix. Old orders protected. He’s very critical to persevering the old guard legacy at Gallaudet. I don’t mind him as President if GU is Deaf-ASL centered with no room for apologists or anything that waters down Deaf-ASL cultures.
Weiner- Possibly a student’s President. Underrated but approachable. Suitable candidate for the the President after the next one. Will he keep his door open for rest of us people? Yes, he will. You can empty my finances if I’m wrong =)
It’s no accident. Besides being deaf all four at least have two things in common!
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I mean that Rosen was supposed to be President after Davila which first threw his name in the mix early in the 1980s unlike many of you folks thought so in 1988.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Dr. Alan Hurwitz is by far the best one! ; )
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Congrats! You interviewed The Three Stooges! You lucky dog……
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Dr. Hurwitz? No no and no further comment here.
Roslyn Rosen? Why not! She will be first Deaf woman President if selected!
Ronald Stern? YES! Dearest friend of mine told me before he passed away how much he regretted for writing horrible, despicable, and disgusting paper for Ron Stern class many years ago. Ron was class act and dealt him with dignity. He was very patience yet firm with him. This fellow carried heavy guilt for many years before he passed away. I will not go into details here but since I know the whole story…Ron handled well and was class act so in this situation I know Ron will handle many duties with integrity and respect. He has natural skills to meet students’ needs who come from different background.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Oops! One more…I know Roz Rosen is qualified to be one of the candidates but I am saddened to see that her ASL is not great. She uses SIM COM all the times which she signs in English order…word for word. I believe and have faith in Roz that she can do much better than that. Roz…try to use ASL and not SIM COM for communication. I know if you use ASL it will make you look more attractive and Deaf people will feel more comfortable coming to you that way. Good luck!
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Last one…I believe that Ron Stern and Roz Rosen are only candidates that do not use hearing aids…correct me if I am wrong…If I am right then I am for Ron and Roz. We need organic Deaf leaders for a change!
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Why pick Hurwitz when his sister-in-law runs oppressive oral school in St. Louis??
Roz or Stern will do!
As for Weiner… he needs more time.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I think it is hard cuz all of them are high qualified.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Penny,
Why would you say that? Organic Deaf? That’s quite divisive to me because all four are from Deaf families and they use ASL to communicate.
I don’t understand your comment and it is offensive, in my own opinion.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Former oralist,
Why did you have to say about Hurwitz’ sister-in-law? Does his track record with RIT/NTID say anything? The ‘oralist’ comment is very divisive. People will feel offended by that especially all four of them are from Deaf families! They all use ASL to communicate.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Penny,
It is first time in history for Gallaudet University to announce four finalists who are Deaf, and they are from Deaf Families, and use ASL. Four of them have administrative experience, and three out of four have university experience. Now we are talking about language fluency and preference? I don’t understand this anymore. If we end up being very critical of these people, then there is NO one left that will make ANYONE happy.
I’m so sick of these things already.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Penny,
Personal stories are helpful , and it does not necessarily help to determine the best candidate for Gallaudet University. May the best person get this position. I would be more curious of each individual’s vision for Gallaudet University.
I don’t care about the past stuff, I am more interested about which of these four candidates will carry the University in next several years and still able to attract high quality STUDENTS!
Thanks for leaving these comments, and let’s try to focus on positive things of each candidate.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
White Ghost,
Thank you and it was a great experience to coordinate this interview with Alan, Stephen and Roz together. It was so fascinating to watch them how they interact and they were so gracious during the interview. I personally think that interview showed each individual’s personality and charm. It is a gem!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Amy-
I use hearing aid myself because if I do not use it then I will have constant ringing in both ears so I do not have a choice. I always see many Deaf leaders use hearing aids and just thought how nice if we have leaders that do not use one…for a change! What is wrong with that? I saw a little 2 years old Deaf girl recently and told the mother…no hearing aid and no CI either. Let her be organic. We need to stop fixing Deaf children and Adults. I do not mean to cause divisive here. We need to change our thinking and take ownership of who we are. That is all. Roz does not use ASL. No No because I know since ASL is my first language and she does not use it. Ask Deaf linguistics for me. She uses SIM COM…word for word…like Dr. Davila. Ron? He uses ASL with me and that is the difference. Roz can sign ASL but she needs to stop signing word for word. I do not care if they have Deaf family or not…I want leader to sign ASL that everyone can understand. I had to rely on CC when watched Dr. Davila on video because he signed word for word. I got dizzy and sleepy from watching him sign. I am sorry if I was offensive but I am being honest here.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Penny,
The reason why I felt offended is that we are all human beings first, and many of us born Deaf, and some became Deaf early or later in their lives. Some like to wear hearing aids, cochlear implants or any kind of devices. It does not make them LESS deaf. These four people are highly qualified and they are bilinguals. They can sign in ASL and read/write English, and for some who is able to use some speech too. Most have deaf siblings, deaf children and many more. Now you are talking about ASL fluency, and there is no such pure ASL, and Dr. Rosen communicates differently than Dr. Stern, and same for Dr. Hurwitz and Dr. Weiner. I don’t care about the level of ASL (pure to contact language), and they are valued by the Deaf Community. Dr. Rosen was president of National Association of the Deaf, same for Dr. Hurwitz. If you are being honest, then I can understand more and more how *some* people in Deaf Community are seeking for the perfect pure Deaf person who does not wear hearing aids, and use pure ASL and have a pure way of life. Show me a person that meets your qualifications, and I assure you that no one else will ever agree with you. I am being honest here because I am so tired of this kind of deaf politics stuff going on.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Amy,
I was delighted that these fantastic Deaf academic leaders are the final four.
And I hope that anybody that favors one of the four finalist will speak for which they support and hope for to be the 10th president of Gallaudet University and not have any negative comments about the other three.
Bilingually yours,
John Egbert
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Amy,
When one of the finalists is selected to be next President…I am not going to encourage another protest. Okay? I do not think my comments were negative at all. I am giving my opinions just like we all do when we have Republican and Democrat runs for President. It would be hypocrite if we share pretty comments only. We need some balance here. Of course, four finalists are qualified for President position but we have our preferences.
Yes, they use sign language but most of them sign word for word—maybe their habit is to please hearing population and we need to stop that. We need leaders use ASL—not word for word—to please Deaf population.
Of course, personal stories do not help to determine the best candidate for Gallaudet University but their past examples can be good witness or testimony to tell us that this person will do a good job in qualified position.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
We should all be beaming with pride with the fact that they have good and highly qualified deaf candidates. It bugs me to see some of the comments here. There was a time when there was protests when a deaf president was not selected, to a time when the president was not deaf enough…what’s next? Not ASL enough??? c’mon get real!!!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
DITTO!!! It just blew my mind that no matter what… there are *some* people who wish to have organic, pure ASL and Deaf-enlightened person.
Show me one that has qualifications.
I’m sick of it already. SICK OF IT.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Amy-
I agree that everyone has their style when they communicate in ASL. We had California Association of the Deaf President who uses CI and I met him for the first time recently. We got along super great and I did not tell him to remove his CI. OK? I am not a mean person. But I thought why do we need to fix ourselves but I have to remember that our community have been brainwashed for centuries and it takes time to remind each other that there is nothing wrong with being Deaf! It does not make you nervous that Drs makes money on Deaf people. It makes me very nervous and sickening! I believe you and I have discussed about this so many times in the past. You and I have different views. I can’t change you and you can’t change me.
Now as for ASL fluency, I do not mean that there is a pure ASL…I want leaders to stop signing word for word. It is not too much to ask really. They are representing our community and don’t we have rights to make sure that leaders use ASL where EVERYONE can understand? Again, let me say once more that four finalists are valued by the Deaf Community. I will never reject Deaf leaders who use hearing aids…please. All I am saying would it be nice to have organic leader for a change? That is all.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Penny,
Okay, as long that we both agree to disagree. You cannot change me, and I cannot change you, that’s something we both can agree on. It just frustrates me that so many of us are trying to define ourselves what is Deaf is all about, and when it comes with technology and hearing devices – big deal. Organic leader – that is a new term for this time, and it was you who coined this word on my blog. I thought to myself, “OH BOY, what kind of ‘high standard’ the Deaf person should hold?” I am tired about this. That’s my feeling. We all have different expectations what a leader should be. I guess it comes to the fact that no one will ever be satisfied anymore.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Amy-
Please don’t get me wrong that those who use hearing aids or CI are not considered Deaf to me. They are Deaf just like us. I will always consider them Deaf regardless they like it or not. They will not be rejected by me ever as long as they respect Deaf culture and ASL. It has been eye awakening for me in the past three years and I have realized that we have leaders in our community that do not sign ASL—as many of them sign word for word…and use technology devices. Where are leaders that use ASL and use no technology devices? Where are they? I know many leaders are Deaf themselves but they have allowed society to fix and mold them whereas in my mother’s generation she saw leaders that do not use technology devices and they all sign ASL. I am very worried about the future of Deaf children. I care! I have rights to be concerned and question what will happen to our culture in many years ahead. It is scary, really. Hope I have explained better what I meant by wanting organic Deaf leader. I consider Ron and Roz as organic Deaf leaders and it is just that Roz needs to stop signing word for word. She can do it.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Amy
big thanks for posting the announcement of the four finalists and also for the link to the video interview with three of them
Kudos to the search committee
Kudos to the finalists
Kudos to all the applicants who did not make it to the finalist pool – it was great that u tried and keep trying for other opportunities in the future – u are a winner just by the fact that u showed a love for Gallaudet and u demonstrated courage in applying
my one regret is the finalist pool does not reflect ethnic diversity beyond caucasian and Jewish as that was a main cause for the Unity for Gallaudet protest – that a highly qualified African-American Deaf applicant did not make it into the finalist pool
for this search – we do not know if any qualified Deaf folks from different cultural backgrounds applied
If none did – we need to do a better job of ensuring that Deaf folks from different ethnic groups have equal opportunities and advancement
hopefully this will be a goal that the final finalist undertakes when taking on the post of President of Gallaudet University
i wish each finalist the best during the challenging days ahead
i wish each finalist can maintain their good spirits and mutal respect for each other in the days ahead (i’m sure they all will as they r good folks)
i wish each finalist can demonstrate a love and appreciation of ASL and English without needing to try to mesh them together simultaneously (most of us are guilty of doing this meshing especially when addressing the public or a camcorder)
i wish for each of us – that whatever we expect of of the new president – we must ask ourselves if we can do the same on a much smaller scale
i wish for each of us that we wish the best for each of the finalists and for Gallaudet as a whole and be thankful
again biggest thanks Amy
Peace
Patti
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I consider them all fluent signers with their own academic ASL distinct that deserves study for its own arts of enunciation. It will be interesting to see how the next president can craft rather a more oxford ASL style. I have yet to see that much.
Sure all of these candidates have the ability to do away the 70’s Gerilee Gustason’s Oedipus Complex..opps SEE Complex.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Hurwitz does not wear hearing aids, never did.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Penny, I do think that all of these people are fluent ASL users, but don’t you think that perhaps they sign word for word so that EVERYONE can understand them? Not every signer knows pure ASL. Roz comes from a multi-generatiional deaf family doesn’t she? Who are you to correct how she signs?
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
All four are wonderfully qualified and at home in the Deaf community. That they have differing styles of sign are reflective of the differing backgrounds that we all have. There was a period when SEE and sim-com was the rule and it affected many of us, no fault of our own. That shouldn’t be a litmus test for selection.
What should be the criteria is their vista for Gallaudet. Where will they take Gallaudet, what emphasis will they make in its educational philosophy, and how will they pull together its people to reach that lofty goal?
I wish Dr. Glenn Anderson was among the finalists, being equally qualified, but am afraid that if he weren’t selected for ANY reason, it would have kicked off another controversy. I hope, though, that the next president of Gallaudet will make a long-term effort at courting and grooming nonwhite Deaf professionals to help build a future new Gallaudet.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I’m disappointed with the outcome. What a shame! I don’t want those four same, same, old “better than nothing” faces. I want fresh, creative, highly motivated, outside people who will improve GU and raise money for its’ community
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Many sent me emails about my old boys/girls network statement. Intention wasn’t bad on my part. Nonetheless, I apologize. Unconditionally. It happens for many Deaf people. It’s automatic. Nothing they can do about status that comes with the territory of protecting Deaf/ASL interests. This doesn’t take away from their achievements unless one proves otherwise the network was resorted to in abuse of hiring/decision processes in other Deaf/ASL places.
You know a thing about “snapshots” creating impressions. The last time I came to Gallaudet was for research related to a deaf-related project for work. On the Green I walked a long distance behind two persons wearing CIs gabbing with each other in spoken English. The Deaf, ASL person in me was the minority. None of this happened when I was a student during 1993-94 and 2000-01 academic years. This was in fact the furthest from the first time I saw the such in larger numbers at GU. The last time took place especially where there wasn’t one person I saw using ASL for the longest period of time. Baffling but so true.
Get on with the times and embrace the new majority of the deaf community.
I’m trying to be fair but the next President of GU may need to be a reflection of the current student body in terms of linguistic majority. That’s where odds are stacked against Stern which comes to the table with no University experience.
After thinking about this some I feel its in GU’s best interest to give short-term contract in line with their 2010-15 strategy. Contract lasts until 2015 and that gives either Hurwitz and Rosen prime positioning. The next president after the aforementioned two needs to be for the long-term (2015-beyond) and that where Weiner and possibly Ron Stern will be in better position. Stern may as well apply for the Provost position in the event Weiner gets the Presidency.
Just my two cents and I look forward to learning about many of your views.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
At any rate I think Stern will need to justify his two-time candidacy by applying for positions such as Provost at GU or similar administrative position in higher education in other deaf-friendly places in order to gain experience to justify.
Wonder why Stern didn’t seek a position at Gallaudet or elsewhere in deaf higher education after not getting the presidency in the first place?
Naturally, it’s easier said than done given the fact he didn’t even have a doctoral degree in hand and current progress (good) at New Mexico School for the Deaf which takes lots of time to come to fruition leaving positive legacy. I’m curious.
Lastly, but not the least importantly (for today’s comments) I think after all that happened in past I think the community should know all individuals selected in earlier rounds. I believe that’s among ultimate considerations for transparency.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Thanks Amy for sharing this exciting news with us. It’s my first time to feel so thankful where everything is properly concluded with the help by structural procedure and exploratory for a potential Gally Prez! I am going to keep my mind open and listen finalists’ mission and strategic plans on how can they uphold Gallaudet University with pride!
Will there be another twitter or live video on each finalist’s visit? Keep us posted. Again mucho gracias!
In solidarity,
Michelle
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 am
Rosen, Weiner, Stern and Horowitz sounds like a huge law firm. *smiles*
Roz is an excellent communicator and a great leader. I believe Roz will abolish that good old boy’s club and promote diversity. She does not promote any form of favoritism which is a ongoing problem at Gallaudet.
I find it hard to believe that there is no people of color on that pool.
Three men candidates equal one woman candidate? That’s pretty impressive in my opinion. *smiles*
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:45 am
Hi,
I am glad to see that there were 4 candidates, instead of 3 candidates… more food to think about.
I know Alan H. personally, since I have lived in Rochester, NY for almost 2 decades, and his family is very nice. His wife was very involved in Rochester School for the Deaf (in the outreach program.) Alan’s daughter-in-law was my classmate in Criminal Justice classes at RIT. A real nice family.
The other candidates’ backgrounds look really good also.
Fluency in ASL is NOT important… what’s important is their ability to communicate (ASL, SEE, etc.) and their ability to carry Gallaudet U. over the next decades and their ability to encourage and embrace the diversity, both organic and inorganic… that both organic and inorganic are equal in importance ;o)
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Former oralist – You mentioned that Weiner needs more time. I agree with that at least in view of Hurwitz and Rosen resumes. Why single Weiner when Stern has no University-level academic (emphasized as I forgot he was the director of athletics) administration experience to boot? Think about that.
ASL fluency? SIM-COM? I’m Deaf and a native user of ASL but I’m snickering at irony all over the place. Just why? Many of you pushed Drs. Jordan and Davila (who I wanted in 1988 and later learned he put his name back in 1982-83) onto the helm not to mention doing the same for other leaders (for other positions) such as Jerald Jordan with CISS (now ICSD) to name one of many organization. Don’t ever forget what you voted for in the past. Indisputable precedent was established. So be it. Intellectualizing Deaf tends to code-switch from ASL to others to impress. At least they’re being themselves unlike most with agendas.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Hi,
I’ve been reading your blog with fascination, finally it is about time we have interesting blogs to read/talk about it.
I am more inclined to agree that language fluency is very important, how one can communicate effectively with people and that their message is clear and to the point. I like Dr Davila but I find him very hard to understand and I rely on captions. We shouldn’t have to do that with a President of Gallaudet. A President should be able to sign fluently, clearly and precisely, no question about it. I know that people do vote on hearing leaders based on their voice, tone, clarity and verbal fluency. This is important and we should take this in consideration.
Some people use ASL but they don’t sign it very well, it is hard to understand them. some of them use sim com and they are difficult, I just think it is important as to how they use the signs, facial expression and body language in an appropriate way and how they express themselves. Perhaps there should be some classes on how to do that so we all are on the same page and communicate effectively.
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 am
I rather to see the expectancy to move up higher as possible. I am not saying that they should sign like a patron at the Deaf Club. The president should aim for the best as s/he can and be really like Clinton and Obama as possible. It does pay to have the state of art in articulation and wording that freely breathe in minds.
One article 19 years ago is still right. “ASL: Unity and Power” by Marlon Kuntze 1990 A Deaf American Monograph – 1990 Communication Issues Among Deaf People Edited by Mervin D. Garretson
He made one clear point, there are styles in signing though grammar rules are consistent necessary to stay on the same wavelength, like a British English speaker being able to carry nearly decent conversation with an American English speaker.
Dr. Kuntze is a well respected Deaf scholar, a Ph.D graduate from Stanford University now teaching at Boston University Deaf Studies Program.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I wonder why four candidates. It doesn’t seem like the PSAC did their job — narrowing down the choices. We all knew that these four would be seriously considered. This lets the board make a decision with little direction from Gallaudet’s constituents.
Consider this: Stern and Weiner were finalists in 2006. It seems doubtful that Hurwitz applied as he’d most likely have made the final six (does anybody remember gallypreswatch.org). Furthermore, Rosen did not even make the final six, instead others like Drs. Anderson, Fernandes, Marshall and Scoggins did. I am left wondering if Rosen is a token. That the PSAC felt uncomfortable nominating three men, and instead added an extra, fourth candidate.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Also another factor to consider is age.
King Jordan retired around age 66 and if Gallaudet is looking for a leader who can lead for at least ten years, age may be an issue.
Here are the candidates’ ages:
Weiner, 54
Stern, 57
Rosen, 66
Hurwitz, 67
Do we want a president who will have a heart attack when he/she receives a 3 AM phone call that the football team is tearing down the goalposts?
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Honestly, Albert, what is the big friggin’ deal about the age? Heart attack could happen to ANY age.
That has nothing to do with the age, it has to do with experience. How would you like when you hear there will be 22 year old Gallaudet President? I’m sure you would have a “heart attack” over that and make some silly noises.
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Enlighten us about Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins experiences on the university level.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Karen, I’m sorry, but I have to disagree on the importance of ASL. It is important to have a strong command of ASL, just as it is important to have a strong command of French, like in Canada. To get higher in the federal government, it is advantageous to be truly bilingual. If a politician tried to mix French and English (FRANGLISH), he would NEVER get a single vote from Quebec, where people get quite testy when French is misused.
I guess it’s the American monolingual mindset that is affecting your view of ASL. I don’t intend this as an insult… merely an observation. (As someone told me, when people don’t study ASL, they don’t develop a respect for it. Looks like this individual was correct.)
It IS important that the Gallaudet president model excellent bilingual skills, in academic ASL, and academic English. When this happens, people…both Deaf and Hearing…would have more respect for ASL as a language, and that would filter down from university level to elementary school.
We CANNOT afford to continue with the monolingual mindset. “communicate in any way”… does that include mangling languages, and possibly causing misunderstandings in either ASL or English? Remember that Gallaudet administrator who mangled the date 2002 in a mockery of ASL, and outraged many Deaf individuals? That administrator showed a clear and shameful lack understanding of basic linguistics of ASL. I’m pretty sure that had he understood basic ASL linguistics, he would NEVER have done that.
A president of Gallaudet SHOULD have a strong understanding of both ASL and English linguistics, in order to truly represent the Deaf community.
I do have an opinion on which finalist I would like to see get the position of Gallaudet President, but I would like to wait until I get all the facts in first.
(Like some of the commenters above, I’m surprised (and not surprised) that there is no variety in the ethnic makeup of the finalists.)
September 5th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I know I’m jumping in a bit late, but I do want to make a couple of points.
First, I do think ASL fluency in a President of Gallaudet is important. If our President is not fluent and cannot present a good model of ASL, then how can we expect the outside Hearing world to respect ASL, when we don’t even choose a good model of ASL to represent us as our President of Gallaudet?
However, ASL fluency (or dysfluency) is not indicative of whether the person has a strong Deaf “center” or not. Roz may at times in public sign in a more “English” manner, but she has a pretty good Deaf center, and I think THIS should be important in a President of Gallaudet as well — Gallaudet has had enough of the “hearing” mindset (even through to Jordan, unfortunately), and we need a leader/representative who will work to establish (or show that this is a valid and necessary perspective to have at Gallaudet) a Deaf center at Gallaudet and outside of it, within Deaf education and society. (Disclaimer: I am not saying that the other candidates do not have a Deaf center, however, I think some may not put as much of a priority on establishing this as others).
September 5th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Glad you intervewed Hurtwitz, Weiner, and Rosen. I did’t realize that all of them attended oral school.
Did you interview Stern? If so, please share. I know nothng about Stern.
Thanks
September 5th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
shelly and don,
bingo! you said it all! this is what we need in a president is an excellent command of ASL and respect of deaf center and a vision that all deaf people are equal, intelligent, and many things that Gallaudet should provide.
shelly, I agree when one does not study ASL, they just don’t have much respect for this language. this is rather unfortunate and it should start when they are babies to adulthood to learn ASL and deafhood issues. once they learn it, maybe we won’t be so divisive as a group and can achieve many things without tearing one another down.
I know all these finalists are good and have a deep respect and love for Gallaudet so they will do a good job.
lets hope that well go on the right path and help the new president make Gallaudet a great university to attend.
September 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I support Dolores 100%. Shame on the PSAC for not being brave for the new change by having independent, highly qualified, creative people that would help strengthen the GU. Be prepared that GU will be plummeted after having one of those four mediocre finalists chosen. Tsk, tsk, tsk
September 9th, 2009 at 4:23 am
I like Hurwitz. He’s done many great things for NTID/RIT and can do well bringing a solid apotheosis to Gallaudet.
Organic ASL? What a ridiculous notion! Thanks for the humor.
September 29th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Seeking “Pure ASL” is the surest way of killing ASL! Research shows that the more flexible a language is, the greater the chance for the language’s survival! Bickering about who is the best, who is deaf, Deaf or even organic Deaf is in my opinion, unnecessary! May the BEST person win and I pray that there will NOT be another protest as such a protest will surely harm Gallaudet in the long run and earn Gallaudet the title of being an “Absurd University.”
FYI: The etymology of the English word “absurd” is derived from the Latin word surdus (deaf, unresponsive to what is said; falling on deaf ears) using the Latin prefix ab- (away; wrongly, badly)
November 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Deaf of Deaf families and all nominated. Now that’s scary! They will do ANYTHING to preserve the old boys and girls network at Gallaudet. That’s their ultimate goal.
FAVORITISM. EXTREME FAVORITISM. Duh!!!
PKZ and KG will increase. That’s SCARY, too.
Nepotism will increase.
Those candidates’ friends will be hired fast.
Gallaudet is never known, since the DPN I, for bringing fairness and balance to campus and the deaf community because Deaf families force just that.
Hlibok wrote a letter to IKJ begging him to be accepted into law school, although he was not very intelligent. Talk about favors!
Now, where was Glenn Anderson in the finalist pool?!
He would have been a much better choice.
Deaf families force favoritism and that is always their good old deal, looking down on others.
None of the finalists were at all that impressive.
Remember NEPOTISM is a real threat to Gallaudet.
Open your eyes! OPEN your eyes! WAKE UP!
All kept blaming IKJ for mistakes, but it was really the faculty that didn’t care for the students and brought Gallaudet down.
Faculty has been extremely lazy, complaining about their so-called low salary, and wanting more vacation time. They are OVERPAID. They do nothing.
Remove tenure and sabbatical for all I care!
I, myself, am from a Deaf family and know better!