Statement by Dr. I. King Jordan
Signature: Gallaudet University - Public Relations/Visitors Center
Statement by I. King Jordan
"The struggle during the past several months has been very painful for all of us. I am deeply troubled by the divisions among us and by the anger that overtook reason, respect, and civility.
"Now we must all come together for the sake of Gallaudet, particularly for the sake of Gallaudet's students--those who are our students now and those who will be students in the future.
"Iwant to thank Jane Fernandes for her dedication and courage and her standing up for what's right. I am personally saddened--for Gallaudet and for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes--that she will not have the opportunity to show Gallaudet and the world what a great president she could have been. Her vision and her plans to make that vision come to life would have guided the university we all love into a bright future. The Board of Trustees saw that promise when they selected Dr. Fernandes as president. In order to resolve the current stalemate the Board has deemed it necessary to steer a different course, and I accept their decision. Now we must all put down our weapons of words and seek to restore a sense of community.
"In my Town Hall speech last November I said there is more that unites us than divides us. I think we lost sight of that for a time and we must work together to refocus on the core values that unite us. We should not look for a resolution to the struggle of recent months in terms of winners and losers. If we do, Gallaudet and our students will be the losers."
Statement by I. King Jordan
"The struggle during the past several months has been very painful for all of us. I am deeply troubled by the divisions among us and by the anger that overtook reason, respect, and civility.
"Now we must all come together for the sake of Gallaudet, particularly for the sake of Gallaudet's students--those who are our students now and those who will be students in the future.
"Iwant to thank Jane Fernandes for her dedication and courage and her standing up for what's right. I am personally saddened--for Gallaudet and for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes--that she will not have the opportunity to show Gallaudet and the world what a great president she could have been. Her vision and her plans to make that vision come to life would have guided the university we all love into a bright future. The Board of Trustees saw that promise when they selected Dr. Fernandes as president. In order to resolve the current stalemate the Board has deemed it necessary to steer a different course, and I accept their decision. Now we must all put down our weapons of words and seek to restore a sense of community.
"In my Town Hall speech last November I said there is more that unites us than divides us. I think we lost sight of that for a time and we must work together to refocus on the core values that unite us. We should not look for a resolution to the struggle of recent months in terms of winners and losers. If we do, Gallaudet and our students will be the losers."
posted by Central Floridians For FSSA at 6:48 PM
2 Comments:
I do appreciate your sincerity Dr. Jordan and yes it's possible she could have done well as a President.
However... since the students and the faculty members spoke as "Voters for the Masses" it was the right thing to do at the right time.
Let us all move on and unite in harmony.
In IKJ's statement - "In my Town Hall speech last November I said there is more that unites us than divides us. I think we lost sight of that for a time and we must work together to refocus on the core values that unite us. We should not look for a resolution to the struggle of recent months in terms of winners and losers. If we do, Gallaudet and our students will be the losers."
Recent events indicated that Dr Jordan does not recognize deaf students as legitimate human beings with common needs. That does not mean who is winning or losing. Deaf needs cannot be ignored and no human beings can be oppressed to deny themselves. If he sought unity, he might as well get his table on the green and invite all to come and work it out. Yesterday's decision is a resounding voice for all days to come that human beings must be respected and be represented by their kind to be a valid chosen leader. That itself is a true core value.
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