Gallaudet under fire after official placed on leave over ballot signature

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Doesn't sound settled.

The president of Gallaudet University said Tuesday that the chief diversity officer who was put on administrative leave after signing an anti-gay marriage petition is welcome to eventually return to her position.

But an attorney representing Angela McCaskill said that would likely only happen if the university compensates McCaskill for the emotional distress she endured, along with the damage to her reputation. There are also calls for university trustees to examine the situation.

“I am dismayed that Gallaudet University is still a university of intolerance, a university that manages by intimidation, a university that allows bullying among faculty, staff and students,” McCaskill said at a press conference in Annapolis on Tuesday afternoon, with the assistance of an interpreter.

This summer McCaskill and her husband signed a petition at their church calling for Maryland’s same-sex marriage law being put to a referendum vote instead of being implemented by lawmakers, according to her attorney, J. Wyndal Gordon. When the names on the petition became public this month, a Gallaudet faculty member confronted McCaskill and then alerted university leaders in a formal letter, Gordon said.

The two faculty members who reportedly signed the letter were referred to during the press conference as “extremist faculty” and “a few rotten apples.”

McCaskill was put on paid administrative leave last week after refusing to issue an apology for signing the petition, Gordon said. McCaskill has not publicly stated her position on gay marriage, and during the press conference she said that she supports all students, regardless of their race or sexual orientation.

In the last week, the Internet has erupted with support for McCaskill and calls for her to be reinstated by Gallaudet, which is a university for the deaf and hard of hearing. Opponents and proponents of same-sex marriage have both criticized the university for disciplining McCaskill for signing the petition.


Gallaudet students participate in a speed dating event in 2010. (Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) (Bill O'Leary - WASHINGTON POST) Last week President T. Alan Hurwitz said in a statement that given McCaskill’s job description, signing the petition was an act that “some feel is inappropriate.” On Tuesday morning, Hurwitz released another statement to clarify that he wants McCaskill to return to campus after her paid administrative leave, resolve this matter and continue as chief diversity officer.
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Gallaudet official Angela McCaskill says she will seek compensation in anti-gay marriage petition dispute - Campus Overload - The Washington Post
 
I think both of them are lesbians because of their looks so that's probably why they filed the complaint against Angela.
 
CrazyPaul said:
I think both of them are lesbians because of their looks so that's probably why they filed the complaint against Angela.
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They are listed as a couple in the second link I provided.
 
For me, I do have some knowledge about M.J. Bienvenu and she is ASL professor that work at ASL department in SLCC building.

No idea about Kendra Smith, but I went to MHC (Mental Health Center) and never met her.
 
It sounds an awful lot like Dr. McCaskill is aware of the problems that I experienced while attending Gallaudet. For her to make that statement, wow.... I am truly impressed with her integrity.

I really would like to elaborate on what those problems were, but it would be like maneuvering in a minefield that was designed to discourage Christians from entering the debate.

Maybe someday. But just keep in mind, what has been made public isn't even scratching the surface. I certainly will not confirm or deny that more than two faculty members were involved.
 
Steinhauer said:
It sounds an awful lot like Dr. McCaskill is aware of the problems that I experienced while attending Gallaudet. For her to make that statement, wow.... I am truly impressed with her integrity.

I really would like to elaborate on what those problems were, but it would be like maneuvering in a minefield that was designed to discourage Christians from entering the debate.

Maybe someday. But just keep in mind, what has been made public isn't even scratching the surface. I certainly will not confirm or deny that more than two faculty members were involved.
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That's not about Christians, it was about her view on gay marriage and sign the petition to put on ballot.
 
Steinhauer said:
It sounds an awful lot like Dr. McCaskill is aware of the problems that I experienced while attending Gallaudet. For her to make that statement, wow.... I am truly impressed with her integrity.
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Yep, this looks really bad for Hurwitz IMO. Especially when McCaskill suggested they open a dialogue with students and the person who filed the complaint demanded an apology. An apology for participating in the election process.....
 
CrazyPaul said:
Oh, yeah, it did said partner. So that's why they were pissed off about the petition and reported her.
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Very possible....It doesn't look like this was about concern for the students. Assuming these are the actual accusers of course.
 
Gallaudet University has changed from year to year.

When I was student last year for Fall 2011. There are many students with different religions and they have worship group in any location on campus, however I see most students enjoy the secular lifestyle and they rarely use religion as part of their life, except for "Oh my God" or "Thanks to God". Washington DC isn't in bible belt region and you will experience a culture shock about strong secularism pressure, especially for students who from southern states. There are some students are in doubt or doesn't support gay marriage, so no one, including me take their view seriously and some of them were anxious about exposed to different culture, but eventually, they get over it and the tolerance level is improving. Most students that where I socialized with them are friendly to GLBT and the gay marriage don't matter to them because it is their couple's decision to get married or not.

Gallaudet University have one GLBT group - Rainbow Society, but used to had 3 GLBT groups but went down to 1 as consolidated group.
 
TXgolfer said:
They are listed as a couple in the second link I provided.
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Now I can understand why the two of them stayed in the closet over this complaint. They are cowards not to come forward at the beginning and reveal themselves.
For the benefit of G.U., I hope they decide to leave real soon.
 
Foxrac said:
Gallaudet University has changed from year to year.

When I was student last year for Fall 2011. There are many students with different religions and they have worship group in any location on campus, however I see most students enjoy the secular lifestyle and they rarely use religion as part of their life, except for "Oh my God" or "Thanks to God". Washington DC isn't in bible belt region and you will experience a culture shock about strong secularism pressure, especially for students who from southern states. There are some students are in doubt or doesn't support gay marriage, so no one, including me take their view seriously and some of them were anxious about exposed to different culture, but eventually, they get over it and the tolerance level is improving. Most students that where I socialized with them are friendly to GLBT and the gay marriage don't matter to them because it is their couple's decision to get married or not.

Gallaudet University have one GLBT group - Rainbow Society, but used to had 3 GLBT groups but went down to 1 as consolidated group.
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Please don't go into the religion stuff which is prohibited on AD. This is a pretty good thread on a developing story. I would hate to see it get closed.
 
rolling7 said:
Now I can understand why the two of them stayed in the closet over this complaint. They are cowards not to come forward at the beginning and reveal themselves.
For the benefit of G.U., I hope they decide to leave real soon.
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What is your problem? They have rights to file a complaint if they feel bother about situation at Gallaudet University, so all complaints are subjecting to review by administration. It is their decision to remain anonymous to official or media. There is no wrong to ask to be anonymous and you aren't getting around my business.

That's ok and it is just in your dream. M.J. Bienvenu isn't going left Gallaudet University anytime soon and she is very important professor in ASL department.
 
TXgolfer said:
Please don't go into the religion stuff which is prohibited on AD. This is a pretty good thread on a developing story. I would hate to see it get closed.
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Tell to Steinhauer too - he mentions about Christian. :roll:
 
Foxrac said:
Tell to Steinhauer too - he mentions about Christian. :roll:
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Stein's post may have been difficult to understand.... He was indicating that religion can not be discussed here so he couldn't really tell the story.
 
TXgolfer said:
Stein's post may have been difficult to understand.... He was indicating that religion can not be discussed here so he couldn't really tell the story.
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Ok, no problem.

As point whole of thread - it is too earlier for McCaskill to make decision about deal with situation at Gallaudet University and she could try go back to work to find out if she is facing hostile workplace condition or goes unaffected.
 
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