On Monday, February 16, 2026, Gallaudet’s Faculty Senate held a meeting in the Student Academic Center (SAC). This was an emergency meeting regarding student frustrations with Student Affairs, Student Engagement and Leadership (SEL) and their operations. While faculty members gathered, students held a demonstration in the hallway.
Around 50 students gathered in the space in front of the computer lab to the stairs leading to Marketplace. Fraternity members could be seen dressed in matching black suits, lined up against the wall. Many students held signs with printed text reading “SEL, you did this to me” with handwritten notes below. The notes include statements such as “approached us in an unprofessional manner,” “don’t be picky about hiring students,” “former BTV you simply said NO,” and “you owe us… money!!” BTV stands for Bison TV, which is a student media organization on campus. One student drew a cartoon of SEL popping a thought bubble of student “ideas/visions.” Still other students brought large posters. One poster was a drawing of “expectation[s]” being SEL leading and pulling a train along with Student Body Government (SBG) and students, while the “reality” is drawn as SEL sitting on top of the train, ordering SBG and students to “pull.”
Multiple student media outlets were present at the demonstration. SBG members were also present, although a few were requesting to not be photographed. SBG members were carrying posters with a QR code and asking students to fill out a form documenting their complaints against SEL.
In an interview with Buff and Blue, student leader Callie Trapani said that SEL “has ruined [Class of 2027’s] morale” by suspending that class from hosting events due to “actions of a few students.” Trapani also commented that SEL did not allow her class to host Bald Day or a Rat Funeral, and she feels that the Class of ‘27 event suspension for a full year “ruined our bond.” Another student, Xavier Egbert, stressed in his interview that clubs and organizations on campus want more independence and autonomy.
Gallaudet faculty who were willing to comment on the matter expressed their support for the demonstration. Christopher Heuer from Gallaudet’s English Department said that the “system” at Gallaudet makes people feel stuck, as if in quicksand, but “something has to be done.” Heuer said the students have the full support of the faculty senate, a sentiment that was echoed by Tawny Holmes Hlibok, SBG advisor, GSA (Graduate Student Association) advisor, and professor of Deaf Studies. Hlibok commented that the Faculty Senate voted to write a letter in support of students; they want to see students’ experience at Gallaudet improve. Based on information shared in an SBG meeting on February 18, that letter has been written and sent to Travis Imel, Chief Student Affairs Officer.
Imel said he felt the meeting on February 16th was a good start, but there was not enough time to “dive deep” into the issues surrounding SEL. He plans to work with SBG and the Faculty Senate to collect information on students’ complaints with SEL and sort out which issues are top priority. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this student demonstration. What changes will be made to SEL and Student Affairs, and will they be truly effective in improving students’ experience at Gallaudet?