Deaf President Now
By Michael Hutchinson
Why did Deaf and Hard of Hearing people protest in
March of 1998 against
the board of trustees at Gallaudet University to get a Deaf president? (NAD,
2014)
In 1817, the America School for the Deaf in
Hartford, Connecticut was established by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Lauren
Marie Clerc. (Gallaudet University, 2013) Later, Thomas Gallaudet’s son,
Edward Miner Gallaudet founded a school for Deaf children in Washington D.C
in 1857. (Gallaudet University, 2013) Seven years later, he added a
collegiate division, and made the only university in the world for Deaf and
hard of hearing students. (Gallaudet University, 2013)
However, in 1864, Edward Miner Gallaudet and Alexander Graham Bell had
different opinions regarding the two methods of communication for Deaf
students. (Gallaudet University, 2013) “Bell and other hearing people
thought they knew what was best for the Deaf, and strongly advanced the
suppression of sign language usage inside and outside the classroom.”
On other hand, Edward Gallaudet was conflicted about the issue but very
powerfully supported the continued use of sign language at the college. In Milan, Italy in 1880, an international
meeting of educators of Deaf children banned the use of sign language in
teaching of the Deaf. (Gallaudet University, 2013) In 1919, the oral method
of instruction was used for most Deaf children. Deaf children and their teachers had little to no exposure to Deaf role
models. In the Deaf Community: Gallaudet
alumni, faculty, staff and students, who was president of the university was
really important. (Gallaudet University, 2013)
The first four Gallaudet presidents’ background was in educating the Deaf,
and one even had a Deaf wife. Edward Miner
Gallaudet served as the first president for 46 years, from 1864 until he
retired in 1910. His father, Thomas Gallaudet, with the help of Laurent Clerc, founded the first school for the Deaf in the U.S. The next president, Dr. Percival Hall, spent his
Christmas vacation on Kendall Green with his Harvard roommate and became
interested in the education of the Deaf. He taught at New York School for
the Deaf for two years then later became secretary to president Edward Miner
Gallaudet for a short time. Dr. Hall became the
second president of Gallaudet where he remained until his retirement in
1945. Also he married his Deaf wife Ethel Taylor. (Gallaudet University,
2013)
Before he became president in 1925, Dr. Leonardo M. Elstad was the assistant
principal of Wright Oral School in New York and also superintendent of
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault. He became the third
president of Gallaudet College in 1945. (Gallaudet College, 2011) Next,
Edward C. Merrill Jr. was a special assistant to President Leonard M. Elstad,
from January 15 until July 1, 1969. Later, Dr. Merrill Jr. became the fourth
President and also an advocate for Deaf people. He was recognized as a
national and international leader in the education for Deaf and hard of
hearing people. He was one of the only hearing individuals worldwide holding
honorary membership in the World Federation of the Deaf. The Educational
Extension Center, the National Center for Law and the Deaf, and the
International Center for Deafness were all established by Dr. Merrill Jr. He
had written many articles on the education of the Deaf. (Gallaudet College,
2011)
The last two Gallaudet presidents did not have a background in educating the
Deaf. Dr. W. Lloyd Johns was the fifth president of Gallaudet University
from October 1, 1983 until January 18, 1983. “He was a progressive educator
who followed principles of shared governance and democratic accountability
having sought the participation of the National Association for the Deaf and
Gallaudet’s alumni.” (Wikipedia, 2013) Dr. W. Lloyd Johns was the fifth
president of Gallaudet University from October 1, 1983 until January 18,
1983. Dr. Jerry C. Lee was the sixth president of Gallaudet University. He
served as Vice President for the Administration at Commercial Credit
Industrial Corporation from 1965 to 1977. From 1971 to 1977, Dr. Lee,
“Served as the Director of General for Gallaudet, and was promoted to
Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs in 1978.” (Gallaudet College,
2013) Later, he got promoted again to be Vice President for the
Administration and Business in 1982. “When Jerry Lee became president of
Gallaudet University in 1983, he did so with the understanding that he would
serve in that capacity for a limited period of time.” (Gallaudet University,
2013)
In the Deaf Community: Gallaudet alumni faculty, staff, and students, who
was president of university was really important. By 1988, no one at
Gallaudet doubted the ability of Deaf people to do what they wanted to do.
The three candidates for president of Gallaudet were Dr. Harvey Corson and
Dr. I Jordan, both Deaf men, and Dr. Elizabeth Zinser a hearing woman. Dr
Harvey Corson was the superintendent of the Louisiana School for the Deaf.
Dr. I. King Jordan was currently the dean of the University’s college of Art
and Science. Dr. Elisabeth Zinser was assistant chancellor of the University
of North Carolina in Greensboro. The Gallaudet board decided to pick
Dr.Zinser to become the seventh president.
On March 1, 1988, the fully organized rally persuaded many Deaf students to
join the Deaf President Now movement. The rally was first time that Deaf
students learned the protest was against a hearing president, Dr.Zinser and
for the struggle to get first Deaf president. On March 1, 1988, Deaf leaders
gave speeches at a traveling rally: football field, elementary school,
largest class room in the building, president’s house and statue of the
first president of Gallaudet University. On Saturday and Sunday March 5th
and 6th, Zinser, Jordan, Corson, and the board met at a hotel downtown for
interviews. During the next four days, TV reporters and crews showed up at
the Deaf student’s camp on the lawn of the president’s house. The president
of the student body government, Greg Hilbok said that he “Wrote Zinser a
letter asking her to withdraw her candidacy.” (Gallaudet University, 2013)
Day One Sunday March 6; The Board of Trustees selected Dr. Zinser as hearing
president. “So although the United States believed enough in Deaf people’
abilities to establishes Gallaudet University in 1864, prejudices and
discrimination against Deaf and hard of hearing people persisted.”
(Gallaudet University, 2013) On campus, the students were outraged when they
learned that Dr. Zinser was chosen. The Deaf students went to the Mayflower
Hotel and demanded a meeting with the board. Students felt that Spilman and
the board were out of contact with the Deaf. Deaf students left hotel and
went to White House, then walked to the Capital building, and finally back
to Gallaudet University. The students made a list of four demands: Dr.
Zinser must resign and a Deaf president must be selected, Jane Spilman must
step down as chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Deaf people must
constitute a 51% majority on the Board, and no reprisals against any student
or employee involved in the protest.
Day Two, Monday March 7: Deaf students and other protesters worked together
through night and blocked all entrances of Gallaudet University allowing
only staff and faculty to enter. Deaf representatives, faculty, and staff
had meeting with the board that lasted three hours, at the conclusion of the
meeting Spilman told the group the four demands were rejected. A Deaf
teacher shared support for the students and stepped in front of Spilman to
tell that the board did not accept the students’ demands.
Day Three, Tuesday March 8: the next morning, Gallaudet University reopened
and allowed people to enter but the Deaf students boycotted class and
attended rallies, and speeches instead. The students protest continued until
evening and the national news reported on the situation. The four Deaf
leaders were Bridgetta Bourne, Jerry Covell, Greg Hilbok, and Tim Rarus.
Day Four, Wednesday March 9: early that morning, there was a meeting of a
small group from Gallaudet University and two Congressmen, David Bonior of
Michigan and Steven Gunderson of Wisconsin, both members from Gallaudet
University Board. Dr. Zinser arrived at Washington D.C, agreeing to began
her job as president early, feeling that would help to bring the protest to
end. Dr. Zinser and Jordan went to the National Press club where Spilman had
just begun a press conference. Here Jordan publicly announced his support of
Zinser. “The Faculty of the University and pre-college along with the staff
people, met to decide whether or not that supported this now student led
protest.” (Gallaudet University, 2013) “The Congressman urged Zinser to
resign.” (Gallaudet University, 2013) Hlibok, Zinser, and Deaf actress,
Marlee Matlin were on the national news.
Day five, Thursday March 10, “Greg Hlibok appeared on ABC’s Good Morning
America.” (Gallaudet University, 2013) Many groups showed support for the
rally such as: students from the National Technical Institute of the Deaf,
other schools for the Deaf and the American Postal Workers Union. Zinser,
Spilman, and some members of the Board held a press conference downtown and
the students vowed to stay on campus rather than leave for spring break, and
planned to continue the protest until all demands were met.
Day 6, Friday March 11, “As the news broke about Zinser’s resignation, there
was a decidedly festive atmosphere on campus.” (Gallaudet University, 2013)
A portion of the first demanded that Zinser resign and a Deaf president be
named in her place had been a success. Students began wearing the buttons
with “3 ½” on them, signifying that there were only 3 ½ demands to go. At
noon, there was a march to the Capital Building. A day of celebration and
many from local and national Deaf communities participated. At the Capital,
the crowd was treated to speeches by a variety of people, including
Congressman, Steven Gunderson. “At 7 p.m. there was another rally in the
Field House.” (Gallaudet University, 2013) Greg Hlibok was named “Person of
the Week” by ABC News. (Gallaudet University, 2013)
Day 7, Saturday March 12: “Saturday was day of rest.” “The weather was balmy
for the middle of March and many on campus attended afternoon barbecues and
an all day arts festival.” (Gallaudet University, 2013)
Day 8, Sunday March 13: "Board of Trustees members who had gone home
after the announcement of Zinser’s selection as president the week before
returned to Washington for an emergency meeting to discuss what to do next.”
(Gallaudet University, 2013) In the evening, Phil Bravin and Jane Spilman
hosted their last press conference to state that: Spilman had resigned,
Bravin was named the next chair of the Board of the Trustees, a taskforce
would be set up to determine the best way to achieve a 51% Deaf majority on
the Board, no reprisals, and Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth president
and became the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University. “It was all
over, in eight emotional, action- packed days it was over.” (Gallaudet
University, 2013)
From the beginning: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Marie Clerc
had set up the first school for the Deaf. Thomas Gallaudet’s son, Thomas
Miner Gallaudet followed in his father’s steps of Deaf education and set up
Gallaudet School in Washington D.C. The first six presidents were Edward
Miner Gallaudet, Dr. Percival Hall, Dr. Leonardo M. Elstad, Edward C.
Merrill Jr., Dr. W. Lloyd Johns, and Dr. Jerry C. Lee in the Gallaudet for
several years. But in 1998, the School Board chose Dr. Zinser, a hearing
president which caused the Deaf student’s protest began. Eight days later,
Zinser, Spilman, and some hearing board members withdrew then Dr. Jordan
became a first Deaf president and 51% of Deaf boards were include. All Deaf
students finally stop protesting then they went back at Gallaudet University
happy. From this point forward, all Gallaudet Presidents will likely be
Deaf.
Work Citied:
“Deaf President Now.” Gallaudet University. National
Deaf Education Center, n.d. Wed.23 March 2014. <http:www.gallaudet/dpn_home.html>
“25th Anniversary of Deaf President Now.” National Association of the
Deaf (NAD). Lizzie, n.d. Wed.23 March 2014. <www.nad.org/news/2013/3/25th-anniversary-Deaf-president-now
“Deaf President Now.” Gallaudet University. National Deaf Education Center,
n.d. Wed.23 March 2014 <www.gallaudet.edu.>
“Gallaudet University Library Deaf Collection and Archives.” Gallaudet
University. National Deaf Education Center, n.d. Wed.23 March 2014. <http://www.gallaudet.edu/library_Deaf_collections_and_archives/collections/manuscript_collection/mss_151.html>,
“Do You Remember? ~ Dr. Leonard M. Elstad ~ 3rd President of Gallaudet
College.” Gallaudet College, n.d. Wed.23 March 2014. <
http://gally72.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-you-remember-dr-leonard-m-elstad-3rd.html?>
“W.Lloyd Johns.” Wikipedia, n.d Wed 24 March 2104.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Lloyd_Johns>
Date Submitted: 4/24/2014