Unity for Gallaudet

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The Unity for Gallaudet Movement was a protest movement started by students, faculty, and alumni of Gallaudet University and other sympathizers who did not support the nomination of Dr. Jane Fernandes as president of the university. I. King Jordan, Gallaudet University's previous president who was brought into the office as a result of the ^[1] Deaf President Now Movement announced his retirement for the end of 2006. His successor was narrowed to three final candidates—the two that were eliminated were Ronald Stern and Stephen Weiner; Jane Fernandes was named president.

Critics of the protest, including I. King Jordan, claimed that the protestors felt Jane Fernandes was "not deaf enough," because despite being born deaf, and having a deaf mother and brother, she did not learn American Sign Language until adulthood. However, many of the protesters objected to Fernandes by claiming that she lacked the charisma needed to lead the global deaf community.

Ultimately, these protests resulted in the Board of Trustees rescinding her appointment. The board subsequently appointed Robert Davila as the college's interim president for the following two years.