New President of School for Deaf Resigns in Face of Student Protest

Elisabeth Ann Zinser has resigned her position as president of Gallaudet University, only days after her selection to lead the school for the deaf touched off a storm of protest from students who demanded a hearing-impaired president, it was announced early today.

The university’s board of trustees said it had regretfully accepted Zinser’s resignation and would resume its search for a new president.

Gallaudet Board Chairman Jane Bassett Spilman called the resignation a tragic loss to the university.

“We selected Dr. Zinser as president in recognition of her superior academic, administrative and research skills. Her strengths and accomplishments were precisely in those areas most critical for the growth of the university,” Spilman said.

On Thursday, students had declared Zinser unwelcome on campus and vowed to keep her out.

In submitting her resignation shortly after midnight, Zinser emphasized her concern that the very governance of Gallaudet had been called into question by the week’s events.

“I accepted the presidency when the board and I agreed that my values, talents and experiences were well suited to the growth of Gallaudet University in the higher education community as well as the deaf community,” Zinser said. “This remains the challenge for the future of Gallaudet.”

She said her decision to resign was reached “with great difficulty as I came to understand how deeply some see the social stature of deaf persons reflected in the presidency of this university.”