Community is not something that is developed automatically. It is not guaranteed simply because we share a campus. Community is built, through time, through interaction, through people, through diversity, and through shared experiences. At Gallaudet, our Deaf-centered space has always made that experience exceptionally powerful. Gallaudet brings together Deaf people from all over the world. It is a space where students connect, learn, make lifelong friendships, become inspired and educated enough to become leaders in their communities, and create a sense of belonging that cannot easily be replicated anywhere else. It is a space where faculty can share their ideas, knowledge, research, and inspire the next generation.
This is why the Student Experience on campus is so important. Without students, there would be no Gallaudet. We need functional dorms, we need spaces to develop leadership, we need more financial support for college, and we need more guidance in finding resources. Often, there are resources available that we do not know about or do not know how to utilize. When we ask for help from places like the Financial Aid office or Student Affairs, we need clear answers and guidance, not vague misdirections. We need to feel heard, recognized, and have productive spaces where we can bond, grow student organizations, grow leadership and soft skills, create memories, and new ideas. When student connections weaken, the effects ripple through the whole of the campus community.
Our sense of strength, engagement, and unity has to be built, and students need to be given the appropriate types of space and support to help build and maintain that community. It grows from the opportunities we have to gather, collaborate, embrace traditions, and support each other. Student organizations, campus events, shared spaces, and daily interactions are the foundation of our community. When those opportunities shrink, the impact is real. Students feel it. Engagement drops. Connections weaken. The Deaf-centered environment that makes Gallaudet unique becomes more difficult to sustain.
In order to maintain a strong community, we cannot ignore the systems and people that sustain it. Decisions about student life must recognize that community-building is not optional—it is essential.
Gallaudet has always been more than just a school. Founded in 1864, it is a space where we pass on stories, culture, language, and traditions through the generations, and is a hub for Deaf-Centered research, empowerment, and growth. It is a space for Deaf culture, identity, and shared experience. Protecting the opportunities that allow students to connect is about preserving the very lifeblood of this university. If we want Gallaudet to remain strong, we must be willing to protect and invest in that community. If we want Gallaudet students to become leaders, we must allow students to lead.
Warmly,
Hillary Ritter
Editor in Chief