Important Updates for Deafies!

Tent City II resumed officially Monday Oct 2nd!

You can go to Washington Post to read todays article, Protesters Renew Fight Over Choice Of President

Here's an excerpt;

Many said that they are fed up with the board, that trustees have been unresponsive. And they have complained that new rules limiting on-campus protests are stifling their rights.

Others complained that it's time to move on, that they are happy with the selection of Fernandes, see increased efforts by the board to listen to concerns or are dismayed by the divisions they see widening at the school.

A faculty report submitted to the board began by expressing dismay at what it said was a dismissive attitude from trustees.

And tents once again colored the lawn in front the main gates yesterday, with such signs as "We won't move on 'til our 2 demands are met."

According to Ridor's blog
Ricky writes,

"...that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officers has started to get the identification of Tent City residents in an attempt to do something at this hour.
Carl Pramuk, the Dean of Student Affairs, has indicated that if the residents of Tent City remains after 11 PM, the ties between the SBG with the Business Office will be terminated. Oooh, I’m not afraid of threats, Carl Pramuk."

Plus even some of Gally's teachers are on board according to Ridor's site;

"Yes, Five Different Professors Taught at Tent City: Several classes were conducted at Tent City. I was informed that five professors did this. Bravo! Let’s hope that more professors will follow their example in search of our social justice at Gallaudet. Students, faculty and staff members, it is time to muster your courage and stand up for what is right — after all, it is your principle that may be jeopardized by others."

Thank you Ricky for the above and posting Thomas's blog link below;

From Jesse Thomas' blog I love what he wrote about Gally's adminstration placing MANURE *ugh* on the front lawn to prevent Tent City II from happening last monday;

"Enough is enough. The rules of protest? Manure. Jane even being the Provost in the first place, without having distingushed herself at MSSD AND with a qualified Deaf woman already in the Provost's office (but, alas, refused to be King's lap dog)? Manure. The presidental search process? Manure. The results of the search? Manure. Saying they support, then doing nothing about the Audism Mandates? Manure. The culture of distrust and fear the current administration (including King and Jane) has created among the faculty and staff? Manure."

Seems Gally students staged a walk out yesterday and today there will be FSSA meeting for supporters. Tmw is the dedication ceremony to I King Jordan and his wife Linda. Gally will be renaming the student union, formerly known as the ely center in honor of their names *excuse me while I go barf*! Plus the BOT will be meeting tmw and Friday. Great more expenses go on Gally's tab as they feast and dine and discuss how they won't budge from their decision and continue to milk Gally out of their funds.. grr BOT make a decision and stick with it, but for god sakes stop pretending you guys care. We already know you don't!

Update on Closed Captioning Cuts by FCC, according to Joe Joy's blog;

This is the problem with "deregulation": it puts lives at risks. TV programs are one thing, although God knows we are paying customers too and entertainment should make sure they can reach as many people as possible (you can BET they're not going to take off spanish-language options.) Now they're putting the safety of thousands of Deaf people at risk. Or maybe we should say MORE at risk.

More can be read at VA Young Democrats Senator Allen is Silent as FCC Undermines Captioning Rules For the Deaf With Damaging Policy Changes

on September 12, 2006, the FCC suddenly undermined closed captioning rules that had been established in 1998 based on the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The rules required closed captioning to be phased in gradually over 8 years, with a requirement effective January 2006 that 100% of all new TV programs must be captioned unless captioning would be “an undue burden” (due to difficulty or expense.) Between 1999 and 2005, the FCC approved 3 of 67 requests for waivers – and each of the waivers was limited in duration to 1 to 3 years. On September 12, the FCC unexpectedly announced that it was for the first time ever granting permanent waivers to two TV programs and announced that it was “inclined favorably” to granting similar requests by a new category of TV programs. The FCC then granted nearly 300 additional requests, which made it clear that the FCC had essentially changed the rules without admitting that this was what they were doing. Advocates have filed for a notice of review and stay of both FCC decisions.

Thank you Joe Joy!