3 Deaf Vlogs on Gallaudet Draft Mission and Vision Statement
Flash news: Today’s Town Hall meeting on this subject to be broadcast live on Internet from 1 PM to 3 PM http://at.gallaudet.edu/videoevent/2007/6/TownHall/index.html
Process of Developing the Draft Mission and Vision Statement  Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. MJ Bienvenu and Dr. Simon Guteng, Co-Chairs, University Mission Workgroup
Spirit of the Draft Mission and Vision Statement Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. Laurene Simms, Dept of Education
Draft University Mission and Vision Statement Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, Dept of ASL and Deaf StudiesÂ
Included in each link is a transcript for those who prefer to read
They are seeking input from all Gallaudet Stakeholders on this, hence the reason the town hall meeting will be shown live on the Internet. Please contact them if you have any question or concern about the revision of mission statement. By the way, this is done in response to MSCHE’s recommendations for approval of the university’s accreditation.
____________________________________________________________________Â
University Mission Workgroup
HALL MEMORIAL BUILDING
800 FLORIDA AVE. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-3695June 1, 2007
Â
Dear Gallaudet University Community:
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As co-chairs of the University Mission Workgroup, we are pleased to present to you the draft of the new Mission and Vision Statement for Gallaudet University. The twenty members of the workgroup represent the wide diversity of the Gallaudet community and have worked diligently over the past few weeks in crafting this mission. We are now soliciting your feedback on specific points as well as the overall mission and vision statement.Â
Â
Due to a very tight schedule mandated by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), President Davila has established a deadline of June 30, to complete the Mission and Vision Statement review process. We, therefore, urge you to give your feedback as soon as possible through the survey featured on the link below. The public feedback period will be open until June 13. Perhaps the most important aspect of the mission is the support and consensus it has from the University community. Your comments and feedback, therefore, are a critical part of this process.Â
Â
Read and view Draft University Mission and Vision Statement (http://www.gallaudet.edu/x3946.xml). This website will also link you to the survey.
Â
Thank you for your investment in the future of a vibrant Gallaudet University.
Sincerely,
Â
Dr. MJ Bienvenu
Dr. Simon Guteng
Co-Chairs, University Mission Workgroup
Commentary: As I stated recently, this is the first time the university has made a public commitment to the concept of bilingualism. With this statement, it recognize the wide range of ASL and English proficiency among the stakeholders. It is the first step in the right direction, in my opinion.
What do you think? Some feel this will hurt Gallaudet. I don’t see how, as historically Gallaudet had always stressed on sign language and this policy recognizes the wide diversity of ASL proficiency. MZ
Email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Mishkazena (TM)
Flash news: Today’s Town Hall meeting on this subject to be broadcast live on Internet from 1 PM to 3 PM http://at.gallaudet.edu/videoevent/2007/6/TownHall/index.html
Process of Developing the Draft Mission and Vision Statement  Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. MJ Bienvenu and Dr. Simon Guteng, Co-Chairs, University Mission Workgroup
Spirit of the Draft Mission and Vision Statement Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. Laurene Simms, Dept of Education
Draft University Mission and Vision Statement Video - Gallaudet University by Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, Dept of ASL and Deaf StudiesÂ
Included in each link is a transcript for those who prefer to read
They are seeking input from all Gallaudet Stakeholders on this, hence the reason the town hall meeting will be shown live on the Internet. Please contact them if you have any question or concern about the revision of mission statement. By the way, this is done in response to MSCHE’s recommendations for approval of the university’s accreditation.
____________________________________________________________________Â
University Mission Workgroup
HALL MEMORIAL BUILDING
800 FLORIDA AVE. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-3695June 1, 2007
Â
Dear Gallaudet University Community:
Â
As co-chairs of the University Mission Workgroup, we are pleased to present to you the draft of the new Mission and Vision Statement for Gallaudet University. The twenty members of the workgroup represent the wide diversity of the Gallaudet community and have worked diligently over the past few weeks in crafting this mission. We are now soliciting your feedback on specific points as well as the overall mission and vision statement.Â
Â
Due to a very tight schedule mandated by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), President Davila has established a deadline of June 30, to complete the Mission and Vision Statement review process. We, therefore, urge you to give your feedback as soon as possible through the survey featured on the link below. The public feedback period will be open until June 13. Perhaps the most important aspect of the mission is the support and consensus it has from the University community. Your comments and feedback, therefore, are a critical part of this process.Â
Â
Read and view Draft University Mission and Vision Statement (http://www.gallaudet.edu/x3946.xml). This website will also link you to the survey.
Â
Thank you for your investment in the future of a vibrant Gallaudet University.
Sincerely,
Â
Dr. MJ Bienvenu
Dr. Simon Guteng
Co-Chairs, University Mission Workgroup
Commentary: As I stated recently, this is the first time the university has made a public commitment to the concept of bilingualism. With this statement, it recognize the wide range of ASL and English proficiency among the stakeholders. It is the first step in the right direction, in my opinion.
What do you think? Some feel this will hurt Gallaudet. I don’t see how, as historically Gallaudet had always stressed on sign language and this policy recognizes the wide diversity of ASL proficiency. MZ
Email contact: Mishkazena@aol.com
Mishkazena (TM)
June 6th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Yes I agree with you that it is a first time that they declare about the bilingualism. This is a huge step. Somehow I feel nervous and little bit skeptical due to my experience. I hope Gallaudet will be given this full commitment to bilingual that has a full respect to ASL and English writing and reading. They will be also given this a full commitment to lead these students to the bilingual philosophy and required them to be fluent in bilingual which is ASL and English writing and reading.
Aidan
June 6th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Aidan, would you mind sharing with us your experiences and why you feel skeptical? Incidentally, you aren’t the first person to express skepticism as others are also somewhat dubious.
June 6th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I am curious, too, why people would be skeptical?
Aidan, please share…
June 6th, 2007 at 10:44 am
It shows some progress in Gallaudet. It requires a lot of work & commitment!
That’s one of few good start at this point.
I am optimistic that we will be hearing many more good news to come.
Good luck Gallaudet!
June 6th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Yes, I am so thrilled about the progress. I am impressed with Dr.Bienvenu’s, Dr. Simms’, Dr. Guteng’s and Dr. McCaskill’s lecture. They are in right place. I know these three wonderful women. But I am curious about economic values of politic and parents aspect that may oppress the idea of bilingualism. I hope they will stand by this philosophy through in and out no matter what.
I have had seen talk and no action. I had to leave Gallaudet University because I fought and fought about education. My dream was scattered because I always wanted to graduate at Gallaudet. They promised me that they would move up to higher quality of education but in end see what happened to Gallaudet. I was right all along about education. Again it was under Jordon and Jane Fernandes’ administration.
Since Dr. Davila appointed as a president, I am impressed with his hard work and the progress he made. WOW.. I am very excited… :o)
I will behind Gallaudet all the way and at the same time, I watch what will the future may hit us that may be out of our control. We must prepare for it. It is good to leave our eyes open.
Aidan
June 6th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Aidan, that’s correct. Unfortunately Gallaudet did have a history of giving lip service and not following up what they promised. So far, under Davila’s administration, they seem to be implementing what they promised.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I want to share my thoughts in a simple way..
Mission statement… Deaf and Hard of Hearing? For decades, Gallaudet is known as the only college.. now university in the world for the Deaf. Hard of Hearing? Hmmm, what about Deaf Blind? Many of them were Deaf first then later became Deaf Blind… many service centers included Deaf Blind in their mission statements… started with Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing. Like Deaf, Deaf Blind already have bilingual also… Hard of Hearing, hmmm not yet have it - most of them no. Certainly they are more than welcome to be part. I just feel that Deaf Blind is overlooked.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
And one more thing I just thought of… I wanted to show you my comment to the survey.
The Mission and Vision statements are very signification… however there will always be audism from among you towards to Deaf Blind if they are not included in the statements. Did we want that? Please reconsider. Thank you…