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An Update on Board of Trustees Meetings and ConversationsContributed by Jennifer Campbell on 12/18/15 Posted on behalf of Tom Grape ’80, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and David Lissy ’87, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. As part of ongoing discussions, this past Wednesday the full board of trustees met to review the issues that face the Ithaca College community. The feedback and perspectives that we have received from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents have helped inform the board and given us a comprehensive understanding of the concerns around the areas of campus climate, leadership, and governance. We are taking these issues very seriously and know they require our full attention and careful thought. It is clear that we have a number of important and complex issues to address as we consider the best way forward to ensure the long-term well-being of the College we all love. The board's discussions will continue over the holiday break, and we expect to have an update to share with you early in the spring semester. We wish all of you a restful and joyful holiday break, and we look forward to continuing this important work together in the new year. |
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In your Dec. 21 letter to alumni (which my husband received), and in earlier statements you've made to the Ithacan and in the Intercom, you've repeatedly said: "As we have expressed to the campus community, these votes are one way for college constituencies to make their views known to us." I hope this does not mean you will treat the no confidence votes as just one factor when mapping out the future of Ithaca College.
No confidence votes may be just one way for people to voice their opinions but when 70-78% of the faculty and students who responded to the poll voted against president Tom Rochon, I would think this is the most crucial and relevant evidence you need to take into account in the present circumstances. Unless, of course, you can explain how many private meetings, phone calls, and emails can outweigh this resounding NC vote.
As for your letter to the alumni, it seems to suggest that the ad hoc measures the president is taking in the wake of the no confidence votes are signs of improvement and of good things to come. They are not. A seven year record of failure (other than in keeping tuition down) cannot be swept under the rug and nor can the president who is responsible for these failures start anew. His leadership style is a function of who he is as an individual and who he is-- authoritarian, out of touch, snarky, and averse to listening to people who differ from him-- has proven to be a disaster for the college.
As such, many of us are committed to continuing our opposition to his presidency until-- hopefully!-- we get a new president, someone with a new vision who can lead IC not just into the new year but well into the future in partnership with all the "constituencies" of the college, not just some.