President Tom Rochon publicly addressed the recent controversy over IC View, the approved budget for next year and the direction of his strategic vision on Tuesday at a Student Government Association meeting.

Rochon said his visit had been planned weeks ago, before he knew there would be a “hot issue” on the table.

Video

Rochon discusses the current IC View situation at the Feb. 17 SGA meeting.

“I investigated how this article got printed and found out that the usual editorial review policies weren’t followed,” he said. “In my opinion, there was simply bad judgment in placing the article there in that magazine.”

He said he appreciated the college community’s response to his letter, even though it left him second-guessing the way he responded to the article. He made it clear that he has no intention to censor IC View, but he welcomes conversation on the topic.

“What I would like is an editorial review policy that functions, that’s consistent and that minimizes the possibility that a group of people will be offended,” he said.

For the budget, Rochon discussed trying to keep the tuition increase as small as possible and trying to devote as many resources to providing financial aid as possible. He said he is not yet sure where cuts will be made.

“We will all be sharing in those cuts,” he said. “I’m leaving it up to deans and the vice presidents to decide where the cuts assigned to them will actually be assigned.”

Rochon said the strategic vision was the most important part of the discussion for the long-term goals of the college. He stressed collaboration as a primary focus and making it easier for students to cross school lines. He said he hopes that the vision will be a significant part of the student experience 10 years from now.

“If we were only responding to this economic climate and not looking toward the future, we would be making a big mistake,” he said.

Rochon fielded questions for about an hour from SGA members and other students about all three topics. Approximately 30 students attended the meeting.

Senior Cornell Woodson, student body president, said he was not surprised by the topics Rochon chose to discuss.

“I thought it was bold of him … to bring up the IC View thing right off the top,” Woodson said. “I also thought that he did a very good job hitting on the points that he knew students were going to care about.”

He said Rochon showed an understanding of the student body by being open to questions.

“Students have a president that is not afraid, not going to dodge questions,” Woodson said. “His biggest message always seems to be allowing the members of the community, students, deans [and vice presidents] to help make those big decisions.”

SGA senator and junior Billy Stanton read the mission statement of IC View to Rochon. He then followed by asking if Rochon felt that McNeill’s story fit that statement. Rochon said he agreed with the mission statement but hoped there would be a better way to discuss an issue like the one addressed in McNeill’s story.

“[Rochon’s response] was what I expected, so it didn’t surprise me,” Stanton said. “While I may disagree with him on some aspects of it, I think he made his point perfectly clear, and I understand that.”

Stanton said he was impressed with Rochon’s strategic visioning process.

“I liked his outlook,” Stanton said. “He answered the questions that I was concerned with, so I’m willing to give him some leeway and let him do what he thinks is best for Ithaca College.”

SGA senator and freshman Jordan Weltman said it was helpful to hear about the budget, the way money is allocated and how the college is trying to minimize cuts.

“It was comforting to hear it straight from him,” Weltman said. “I’m glad he was able to speak with us. I wish he would come back.”