Dive Brief:
- Ithaca College President Tom Rochon announced he will retire July 1, 2017, following no-confidence votes by both faculty and students over his response to racially charged incidents on campus.
- NPR reports Rochon plans to give the board of trustees time to choose a leader well-suited to addressing these specific challenges and give that person a chance to make a “fresh start.”
- In his message to the campus community, Rochon said he wanted to spend the next 18 months working constructively and collaboratively toward progress on issues of diversity and inclusion, shared governance, and decision-making.
Dive Insight:
Rochon oversaw a time of rapid diversification of the student body. According to the college, the percentage of African, Latino, Asian, and Native American students has nearly doubled in his eight years at the helm, reaching the college's benchmark five years ahead of its stated goal. Students, however, have said even though the college is considered diverse, it doesn’t have the infrastructure to support students of color.
The situation at Ithaca is illustrative of how complicated progress can be. Campus administrators must do more than increase the number of students and faculty of color at colleges and universities. It is critical this focus is paired with a push to shift the entire campus culture to welcome and support them. It is dangerous to assume that work is not necessary.