It is with great sadness this space must be used to support the tenure of one of the most influential and important figures at Ithaca College, Margo Ramlal-Nankoe, assistant professor of sociology. As a former campus activist, SGA representative and proud alumnus of Ithaca College, I am appalled it has taken this long for her difficult path to tenure to be brought to the attention of the campus community.

Ramlal-Nankoe’s ability to foster dialogue between students on issues that are at once divisive and thought provoking is her greatest gift. It is because of her lessons of understanding and self-education that my views on social policy have taken shape. I would not have been able to make a career of advocating for others if not for the influence of Ramlal-Nankoe.

It is absurd that she has been forced to file a lawsuit against an institution that has grown into a bastion of academic diversity because of educators such as her. Denying her tenure in such a fastidious manner is an assault on Ithaca College’s pledged diversity – supposedly a pillar of the school’s foundation as an institute of higher learning.

Unfortunately, there is not much we alumni can do to influence this process outside of writing letters, offering emotional support, and withholding donations to the school. It is up to the campus community of educators, administrators and most importantly, students to call for a just end to this debacle. Inevitably it is the students who suffer the most when a provocative and thoughtful voice is silenced.

Lane Tobias ’07