Gallaudet Chooses Interim President

In February, the Office of Management and Budget rated the school "ineffective," raising issues such as chronically low graduation rates. The university has asked to be reassessed, and that is taking place now.

Last week, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education worried many on campus when it delayed a decision on the school's accreditation.

Gallaudet remains accredited, but the committee said it will visit the campus in January.

Davila's appointment also comes at a time of profound change in deaf education: As medicine, technology and public policy have expanded options for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, schools for the deaf are no longer the sole or even the most common option for these students. So Gallaudet's role is evolving, and many on campus have said it is crucial that the next leader have a strong vision for the school's future.

Because longtime president I. King Jordan steps down in a few weeks, the board needed someone to take office almost immediately.

Yesterday, the board of trustees interviewed three finalists, including two Gallaudet professors.

Stephen Weiner was a finalist in May as well; he is a popular former dean known for his charisma, intelligence and warmth.

William Marshall, chairman of the department of administration and supervision and former head of the faculty senate, had presented a comprehensive, detailed presidential agenda for change at the school.

Davila said yesterday that he will "tap into that skill and knowledge" and ask Weiner and Marshall to be involved in his transition.

Those who had protested were generally satisfied that the search had been fair -- a lack of fairness perceived by some was a major complaint about the selection of Fernandes -- and several said after Davila's speech that he had said all the right things. The only thing some wished for was an assurance that protesters would not be punished.

Davila's speech was emotional, direct, forceful and detailed. He talked about the importance of American Sign Language and diversity to the university, about the need to unite and encourage debate and dissent without walking away angry. He talked not only about the strengths of the school, but also about the problems it is facing and how he will address them in his 18- to 24-month term.

The school needs to find better ways to measure how students are doing, he said, and be its own toughest critic.