Ithaca College

Submitted on behalf of President Tom Rochon

Effective as of August 24, the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life will join the Division of Academic Affairs in reporting to Marisa Kelly, whose new title will be Provost and Vice President for Educational Affairs. In announcing the change, President Tom Rochon noted that the restructuring will position Ithaca College more strongly than ever to achieve its mission of becoming the standard of excellence for residential comprehensive colleges.

“By bringing these two divisions into the same reporting structure, Ithaca College has an opportunity to be a national leader in the development of a holistic educational experience that fosters — as our vision states — ‘intellect, creativity and character in an active, student-centered learning community,’” said Rochon.

“In alignment with the IC 20/20 vision,” he continued, “Provost Kelly’s charge will be to work with the leadership in each division to more fully bring together the curricular, cocurricular and residential life aspects of the student experience. Collectively, they will help us develop a richer and more integrated learning community on the IC campus.”

“I am excited by the new opportunities this will open up to erase the sometimes artificial lines that exist between what our students do inside of the classroom and what they do outside of it,” said Kelly. “Our faculty and staff will be able to work more closely with one another to achieve our shared goals on behalf of student learning.”

The effective date of the restructuring coincides with the retirement of longtime Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life Brian McAree.

“Over the past few years the two divisions have been increasing our programmatic partnering in order to maximize both the intellectual and personal development of our students,” said McAree. “This kind of structural model is becoming more common as institutions recognize the value in such collaboration.”

With the reorganization, reporting directly to Provost Kelly will be Rory Rothman, who will serve as Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life; and Ken Kutler, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports. In order for the unit to focus its attention on the educational aspects of the student experience, several programs formerly housed in Student Affairs and Campus Life will move under the auspices of the Division of Finance and Administration directed by Vice President Carl Sgrecci. These include Campus Center and Event Services, Dining Services and the ID Office.