Student protests broke out today on the campus of Gallaudet University after the provost of the university for the deaf, in Washington, D.C., was named its new president, The Washington Post reported.

The protests were reminiscent of what happened in 1988, the last time there was a presidential transition at Gallaudet. The trustees initially appointed a hearing person, but bitter student protests shut down the campus and forced the appointee to resign. The trustees chose instead I. King Jordan, whose 18-year term as president has ended in protests over his successor.

The major difference this time around is that the provost, Jane K. Fernandes, like all the finalists, is deaf. She also has been at Gallaudet for more than a decade. The students’ criticism centered on the lack of racial diversity among the finalists, and on what they said was a lack of warmth from Ms. Fernandes. A flavor of the student mood, as well as some alumni responses, can be seen on Gally President Watch, a blog.

Ms. Fernandes will take office in January.