On January 31, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis orchestrated a well-planned, surprise and hostile takeover of New College, my alma mater. On the heels of the takeover, at the first board meeting, the president of the college, a long-time faculty member, was fired without cause and replaced with a political ally of the governor at well over twice the salary of the ousted president, an amount which threatens the New College Foundation's ability to support the college itself.
As an alum, I have wanted to write something personal in response to what has and is happening but where to start has paralyzed me. So I've decided to make a brief entry here so that I can move on to other blog posts waiting in the wings. Then I expect to add to this post over time.
There has been a lot of press devoted to the ongoing developments but I have yet to see any reports that actually describe what New College is, or at least was. The disinformation and misrepresentation of New College has been heartbreaking. Admittedly, New College is rare and difficult to describe.
New College is a place in a particular geographic setting, with unique, historic buildings, adjacent to complimentary cultural institutions, all part of the larger history and culture that makes up Sarasota, Florida.
It is a community of students, faculty, administrators, alumni, patrons, government officials, neighbors.
What may make New College so difficult to describe is that more than an institution of higher education, New College is an experience. The experience of New College is an alchemical process unique to every graduating student.
As a for instance, I recently connected with a few local alums including a cultural anthropologist, epidemiologist, urban planner, Whole Foods manager, and me.
I will stop there for now and pick this up as I have time and can write about my personal experience, why New College is important, and why what is happening there is dangerous on a scale much larger than the campus and community.
Meanwhile, you can visit savenewcollege.org/ to learn more and read press accounts of and since the takeover.
Part 2
Coming eventually....
As an alum, I have wanted to write something personal in response to what has and is happening but where to start has paralyzed me. So I've decided to make a brief entry here so that I can move on to other blog posts waiting in the wings. Then I expect to add to this post over time.
There has been a lot of press devoted to the ongoing developments but I have yet to see any reports that actually describe what New College is, or at least was. The disinformation and misrepresentation of New College has been heartbreaking. Admittedly, New College is rare and difficult to describe.
New College is a place in a particular geographic setting, with unique, historic buildings, adjacent to complimentary cultural institutions, all part of the larger history and culture that makes up Sarasota, Florida.
It is a community of students, faculty, administrators, alumni, patrons, government officials, neighbors.
What may make New College so difficult to describe is that more than an institution of higher education, New College is an experience. The experience of New College is an alchemical process unique to every graduating student.
As a for instance, I recently connected with a few local alums including a cultural anthropologist, epidemiologist, urban planner, Whole Foods manager, and me.
I will stop there for now and pick this up as I have time and can write about my personal experience, why New College is important, and why what is happening there is dangerous on a scale much larger than the campus and community.
Meanwhile, you can visit savenewcollege.org/ to learn more and read press accounts of and since the takeover.
Part 2
Coming eventually....
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