Hi5—June 21, 2019

Welcome to the ninth weekly issue of Hi5! Every week, we will share five newsworthy highlights from the desk of President Cordano. If you’re interested in keeping up to date, open this email and check out all the new buzzworthy content!

MSSD school building reopens

The Model Secondary School for the Deaf school building has reopened after being closed last week for asbestos abatement. Normal operations have resumed for all units housed within the building, including the school itself, the Peter J. Fine Student Health Service, and the Gallaudet University Transportation Department.

Clerc Center administrators wish to thank Business and Support Services, Campus Design and Planning, the Department of Public Safety, the Facilities Department, APEX Companies, LLC, and the community for their understanding and cooperation. In turn, we at Gallaudet thank Clerc Center’s Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Sutliffe, Director of Operations, John Skjeveland and Director of Communications, Nicholas Gould for their swift response and their leadership in ensuring community safety. 

Fiscal Year 2020 update

On Wednesday, June 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a federal appropriations bill that includes funding for Gallaudet for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins on October 1. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate. In the meantime, we are developing our Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal for submission in late summer. Budget planning is a year-round process that involves the work of many people across the university.

Gallaudet, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind to establish early language acquisition partnership

This week, Gallaudet and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create an early language acquisition partnership in the southeast region of the United States. Funding was provided by Congress to create this regional partnership that will support deaf and hard of hearing children, their families, and professionals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The partnership will bring together our campus-wide expertise in early language acquisition for deaf and hard of hearing children, and will be housed at Clerc Center.

CFO search committee members announced

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) search committee consists of Heather Harker (chair), Lisa Clarke, Tracy Berman-Kagan, Audrey Wineglass Foster, and Billy Ennis. Laureen Obermiller will support the committee’s work.

We thank everyone who submitted their names for consideration, and recognize that many people, although interested in serving, were already committed to summer travel and other obligations. Please join us for stakeholder input sessions in July.

Daily Digest to appear Mondays and Wednesdays

University Communications is working on enhanced communication channels for the community. In order for us to bring you better communications, we need to make adjustments and determine where our efforts will have the greatest impact. In particular, the Daily Digest will appear on Mondays and Wednesdays from now on, and will be renamed shortly. Never fear: You may go to my.gallaudet.edu at any time to see current and archived announcements and calendar listings.

Enjoy your weekend!