Gallaudet's Community Statement: Affirming Our Values and Addressing Recent Concerns

See this message in American Sign Language above.

Dear Gallaudet Community, Alumni, and Friends,

As we reflect on this year’s Commencement, we invite our broader community to join us in reaffirming the values that guide us.

Gallaudet believes that every person has the right to exist and express themselves as their authentic self.

No one should be targeted, harassed, or made to feel unsafe because of their identity, background, or religion, such as last night’s shooting deaths of the two Israeli Embassy aides here in Washington, D.C.

At Gallaudet, diversity in all its forms is embraced and that was reflected in the student’s regalia and displays that occurred in the commencement ceremony.

Students displayed flags from a variety of countries and this included displays of various religious and ethnic symbols as well.

In the weeks leading up to Commencement, we unfortunately experienced acts of vandalism involving stickers with the phrase “from the river to the sea.”

This phrase is widely perceived to be a call for the elimination of the State of Israel and has long been associated with rhetoric that promotes violence and hatred toward Jewish people.

It can only be interpreted as antisemitic and is considered hate speech.

Antisemitism has no place at Gallaudet. These acts of vandalism are not protected speech, and individuals found responsible will be held accountable under university policy.

During Commencement, a graduating student carried and displayed a flag that read “Palestine will be free.”

This occurred just as the student approached President Cordano to receive their diploma.

We recognize that this phrase holds different meanings for different people. It can be hurtful, while for others it can be a call for justice.

For members of our Jewish Deaf community, it can feel exclusionary, deeply hurtful, and connected to broader rhetoric that has been used to marginalize or threaten Jewish people.

We also want to acknowledge the concerns we have received from members of the Jewish Deaf community in response to the Commencement display.

Commencement is a time for shared celebration, and we regret that any part of that moment caused pain.

While the display of cultural or political identity, including flags and religious garments, is currently allowed at Commencement, and used by many, we recognize that context matters.

Our goal is to maintain a respectful environment that honors the dignity of all individuals.

We are also aware that students from other communities, including Palestinian students, may feel vulnerable in these conversations.

Gallaudet continues to be a place where all students are encouraged to express themselves, and we welcome diverse perspectives on difficult and personal topics.

We also want to address a source of confusion. A social media account with the handle @sjpgallaudet uses the university’s name in its profile.

This account does not represent a university-sanctioned student organization. The use of “Gallaudet” in this context is unauthorized, and the university filed a trademark infringement complaint.

The social media handle has now been removed.

There is a clear difference between challenging conversation and hate.

Gallaudet is committed to creating an environment where important issues can be discussed openly, but where mutual respect is never compromised.

We encourage our community to revisit these key communications linked in this letter:

• University Message to Campus Prior to Commencement

• Statement from Hillel @ Gallaudet

We must all do our part to foster an inclusive campus community and reject hate in all its forms.

Thank you,

President Cordano and the Gallaudet University Executive Team