still have a long way to go but the commitment to move forward is there.” McCaskill says she is looking to incorporate diversity university-wide and at all levels. She says she hopes to see the graduation rate increase for students of color, and deaf and minority faculty hiring improve. McCaskill’s connections to Gallaudet are strengthened through family. McCaskill and her two sisters, Carolyn and Sharell (who is not deaf ), all attended Gallaudet and now work at the school. Carolyn was the first black Miss Gallaudet in 1976. She is now a professor of deaf studies, specializing in the differences between American Sign Language and Black ASL.
CONTROVERSIES AND INCLUSION
McCaskill’s tenure, though, has not been without controversy. She was placed on paid administrative leave in mid-October 2012 after signing a petition circulated by those campaigning against gay marriage rights in Maryland. The petition called for Maryland’s same sex marriage law to be put to a vote. At a press conference, McCaskill later said that she felt bullied and would seek legal action. Critics questioned her alliance with a group that does not support inclusion of a marginalized group, while her position as chief diversity officer is intended to promote and welcome all kinds of diversity. While this was the latest controversy at the school, it was not the first. In the past there have been disputes about deaf leadership at the university, particularly the president. Student strikes in 1988 began after another in a series of hearing presidents, Elisabeth Zinser, was hired. She was later replaced by I. King Jordan, the first deaf president. He led the school until 2006. After Jordan’s retirement, Jane Fernandes was named his successor. This appointment, too, was mired in controversy, as critics said she was “not deaf enough,” according to Jordan. He publicly fought against these allegations, saying they were evidence of “identity politics.” Fernandes’ appointment was later withdrawn by the Board of Trustees. Issues of inclusion are palpable within the deaf community. In a community that has degrees of deafness and hearing, how are issues of disparity and sameness resolved? This concern has faced most minority groups that are bonded by ethnicity, religion, or any other singular characteristic.
Today, Gallaudet University attracts students from 52 nations and has nearly 21,500 alumni around the world.
“Deaf and hard of hearing people, and those with other disabilities, are found in every race, ethnicity, religion, and country around the world. And despite the diversity in cultural backgrounds and languages, we are all united by a shared life experience,” said President T. Alan Hurwitz. “Gallaudet attracts students from all over the U.S. and the world because we offer a fully accessible, barrier-free learning environment and a strong community built on mutual respect and appreciation.” Being inclusive while maintaining the identity of what it means to be deaf is an issue that is still being grappled with by the university and the communityat-large. What Gallaudet remains, though, is a unique place of higher learning—one that acts as a steward for the community’s proud and rich heritage, as well as its beacon for the future. PDJ
November/December 2013
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