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Summary

In March 1988, students at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., protested the appointment of a hearing president, demanding a deaf president and majority deaf representation on the Board of Trustees. After a week of blockades, marches, and strikes, the board met all four demands, including the resignation of the hearing president and the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan as the university’s first deaf president. The campaign succeeded in achieving its goals and led to lasting increases in deaf employment and administration at the university.

Background

Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., was the only higher education institution in the US focused on deaf and hard of hearing students, but had always been led by hearing presidents. In 1987, President Jerry Lee announced his resignation, and the Board of Trustees appointed a hearing candidate, Elisabeth Zinser, over two deaf finalists, sparking outrage among students, faculty, and alumni who demanded a deaf president and greater deaf representation on the board.

What happened

On March 1, 1988, over 1,500 students, faculty, and alumni rallied on campus to support a deaf president [source: nv-database]. After the Board announced Zinser’s selection on March 6, protesters marched to the Mayflower Hotel and secured a meeting with board chair Jane Spilman [source: nv-database]. On March 7, students blockaded campus entrances with cars and chains, forming a human shield to selectively allow entry, and presented four demands: Zinser’s resignation, Spilman’s resignation, 51% deaf board membership, and no reprisals [source: nv-database]. The Board rejected the demands, leading to a walkout and a march to the U.S. [source: nv-database] Capitol [source: nv-database]. On March 8, students boycotted classes and held rallies; four student leaders emerged: Bridgetta Bourne, Jerry Covell, Greg Hlibok, and Tim Rarus [source: nv-database]. On March 9, students used university buses to blockade gates, and Representatives Bonior and Gunderson met with students, publicly supporting them [source: nv-database]. On March 10, the Washington Post covered the protest, Hlibok appeared on ‘Good Morning America’, the American Postal Workers Union donated $5,000, and Dr. [source: nv-database] I. [source: nv-database] King Jordan switched his support to the students [source: nv-database]. That evening, Zinser resigned [source: nv-database]. On March 11, a march to the U.S. [source: nv-database] Capitol was held, and ABC News named Hlibok Person of the Week [source: nv-database]. On March 13, the Board held an emergency meeting and announced Spilman’s resignation, a task force for 51% deaf board membership, and the appointment of Dr. [source: nv-database] I. [source: nv-database] King Jordan as the first deaf president [source: nv-database]. All four demands were met [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Bridgetta Bourne
  • Jerry Covell
  • Greg Hlibok
  • Tim Rarus
  • National Association of the Deaf
  • Dr. I. King Jordan
  • American Postal Workers Union
  • Representative David Bonior
  • Representative Steve Gunderson
  • Jane Bassett Spilman
  • Elisabeth Zinser
  • Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

Tactics used

The campaign combined nonviolent direct action (blockades, marches, walkouts) with a student strike and media engagement to create sustained pressure on the Board of Trustees, while coalition-building with national organizations and political allies amplified their demands. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: won.

The protesters achieved all four demands within a week, including the resignation of the hearing president and the appointment of a deaf president, earning a perfect success score of 10 out of 10 points in the database. The campaign also led to long-term increases in deaf employment and administration at Gallaudet. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • A clear, unified set of demands can focus a campaign and make success measurable.
  • Combining direct action (blockades, strikes) with media outreach and elite allies can rapidly escalate pressure on decision-makers.
  • Building a broad coalition of students, faculty, alumni, and national organizations strengthens legitimacy and resources.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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