Open Letter to I

I am very distressed with what is going on at Gallaudet University. We the students, alumni, donors, and friends fought so hard to install a Deaf president in 1988. You became elected by the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University in 1988 with the students, alumni and the Deaf community's help.

What happened to the man who promoted Deaf human rights? Is it all about vanity? Remember you are nothing without us and you paid an awful price for this. In the futur e, your name will be removed from Gallaudet campus as a bad memory. You will be in the history books of a deaf man who betrayed the Deaf people because of your pursuit of vanity.

You did not take the time to chat with the students, alumni with an open mind. Instead you have been fighting with the Deaf all over the world who is trying to tell you that Jane Fernandes is not the right person for the presidential position. As many alumni have dealt with Fernandes in the past and lacked leadership also presidential skills. Fernandes may look good on paper but she is a disaster waiting to happen. You and I know it is not about the "Not Deaf Enough" issue and that was fabricated by your public relations people hoping to distract the media from looking at the actual issue. It worked for a short time and now the media does not buy any of that. Lying to the public is not an honorable thing to do.

We were not trying to hurt Gallaudet University in any way or trying to get some face time on television. We LOVE Gallaudet and we care about everything that the university stands for except the attitude from the president's and public relations office. Playing the Public Relations game is not what we wanted and we want this situation resolved with the opportunity to open up the search process. I knew inside my heart the search process is extremely flawed and this is why you are in this mess that you created.

Do you want to leave a beautiful legacy at Gallaudet? Do the right thing, and start the presidential search process all over again. This will preserve your name and honor. It is not too late and get to it before it gets worst.

Cordially,

Stephen Joseph Hardy, II
SBG President 1992-93