Gallaudet Faculty Opposes Incoming College President

By deferring action on four resolutions, Prof. Donna Ryan said in a statement: "The faculty squandered an opportunity" to address Gallaudet's real problems.

Before the meeting, between 150 and 200 students lined the path to the auditorium entrance, bearing signs: "Faculty: please help us. YOU CAN and WILL make a difference!"

Many students wore T-shirts showing their police booking numbers. One read: "#566103. I was dropped by the cops."

The students, who had blocked the school's Sixth Street entrance, were arrested on Jordan's order.

"ARRESTED," another T-shirt said, "for peacefully protecting Gallaudet." And: "Arrested for Gallaudet's future," read a third.

Students waved fingers in the air, calling out to arriving professors. One woman grinned, held up her arms and ran through, slapping hands like a player running onto a court.

Many smiled. A few looked uncomfortable and walked through quietly.

Student leader Chris Corrigan led through the crowd a protester described as being on hunger strike, spurring cries of support.

Someone passed out a flier from the student newspaper, listing results of polling started in April, when 66 percent of faculty and graduate students and 81 percent of undergraduates who responded found Fernandes unacceptable.

Many alumni have arrived on campus for this weekend's homecoming festivities, and some have joined the protest.

Fernandes is "a polarizing figure," said alumnus Raphael St. Johns of Frederick. He said he had supported her but changed his mind after talking with many on campus.

However people feel about her, "whether the issues are valid or invalid, that doesn't matter now," he said. "This school will not move on unless she resigns."