MSU offers the only bilingual education program in the state and advocates instruction in deaf children’s native language — American Sign Language.

Many deaf students choose to major in deaf education. This has provided the university with a steady stream of deaf students — their interaction with other students, faculty and staff has broadened perspectives on disability and inclusion.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most commonly used language after English and Spanish in the United States. By eliminating the Deaf Education Program, we also are eliminating this coursework and restricting opportunities of undergraduate students of any major who are interested in learning ASL.

MSU recently made a commitment to diversity and inclusion by granting students the opportunity to live on an ASL floor in Snyder-Phillips Hall. This was done with the support of the Department of Residence Life, University Housing, the College of Education, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the Office for Inclusion, the School of Social Work and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. It seems paradoxical to promote ASL use on campus while at the same time eliminating the ASL courses on campus.

Provost Kim Wilcox might personally recall the grand opening, as he was our keynote speaker at the event.

This fails to promote MSU’s commitments to diversity and inclusion. Deaf people historically have been oppressed in the U.S. with restricted access to education, institutionalization, eugenics, abuse, underemployment, etc. MSU receives state and federal money so that it does not have to operate under a purely competitive, capitalist environment. This allows smaller programs with intangible benefits the chance to thrive.

This sends a message to deaf children and adults across the state of Michigan that MSU does not care about the needs of deaf people. With one of the largest per capita deaf populations, we have a responsibility to provide quality teachers to deaf children.

MSU has the resources and faculty to develop these teachers — the question is if persons with disabilities and their needs will be pushed to the bottom of the list.

I’d ask the university to please reconsider.

Ann-Marie Christman

graduate student