Скачать или смотреть An Open Letter to T. Alan Hurwitz, President, Gallaudet University

Dear Dr. Hurwitz:

Welcome (back) to Gallaudet! You have just barely arrived, and you are already facing your first major test as President of our beloved alma mater. I speak, of course, of the tragic death of Cheang Kok. There are a number of stories floating around regarding the sequence of events, and it is understandable that the University needs to conduct an investigation into what truly happened.

Prior to your hire, supporters of your candidacy claimed you would bring "fresh blood" to the position of the Presidency of Gallaudet University. I need to admit that I was not one of your supporters for the position, but now that you are President, I will support you in your work to improve Gallaudet in all the domains under your purview. This incident is an opportunity for you to show me, as well as those of us who had not supported your candidacy, that you will indeed bring "fresh blood" to the University.

Thus, I sincerely hope that the investigation Gallaudet is undoubtedly undertaking will not be a mere "whitewash" to protect the reputation of the university, but will be used to initiate reforms for the betterment of the campus's students and faculty. If the events surrounding Kok's death are found to be as the students have said, then I must ask:

1. If the DPS officer is found to have been negligent in his duty to respond and assist in the safety
and health of the University's faculty, students and guests, what steps will be taken to hold this officer professionally responsible for his actions (or lack thereof)?

2. Since this incident is one in a long chain of events involving the DPS dating back to Carl Dupree's death in 1990, what steps will be taken to reform the DPS in its administrative/command, personnel and procedural structures to ensure that no such needless tragedies occur again on the grounds of the University?

3. The Gallaudet infirmary has, since I was a student at Gallaudet, been historically limited in its scope of services. What steps will be taken to improve the ability of campus personnel to respond to medical emergencies on campus?

I hope that we will be hearing answers to these questions within the next few weeks, if not earlier.

Sincerely,

Donald A. Grushkin, Ph.D.

(This is an open letter to you and the Deaf community).