As our alma mater experiences a historic wave of student and campus-wide activism against the irresponsibility and injustices taking place under Tom Rochon’s presidency, we Ithaca College alumni stand with POC at IC and express our utter lack of confidence in President Tom Rochon.
We wish to express our confidence that serious, conscientious changes in campus governance will make the College stronger and safer for everyone.
Stories like this one at IC have demoralized faculty.
We have not seen this degree of widespread distress, anger, and dissatisfaction since President James Whalen’s years (1975-1997).
Rochon’s disinterest in improving the student experience has all but ensured the current climate on South Hill.
We strongly oppose the recent decision by President Tom Rochon to create a “Chief Diversity Officer” position at Ithaca College.
As our rationale for an all-college vote of no confidence, we focus upon two explicit failures of the President’s administration.
The removal of a College president is possible and the reason why this should be considered for IC is very clear.
“The Case Against Tom Rochon” is the document passed out by members of POC at IC at Ithaca College’s Family Weekend. It is unclear where the document originated.
We hope you are open to hearing perspectives other than that of the administration.
The college and its leadership may continue to be silent. We, however, will not.
In its guiding assumptions, the event appeared to dismiss and even disparage the idea that a rich and valuable undergraduate education is critically tied to what happens in the classroom, where close, diligent and serious attention to intellectual ideas, problems and texts are the central focus.
