Pace University Withholding Two Student Degrees Over Free Speech Fight
Submitted on Mon, 06/04/2007 - 4:06am
New York, NY After walking at the Pace University undergraduate commencement on May 23rd, Lauren Giaccone and John Cronan have been notified by the Pace Administration that their degrees will be withheld pending the resolution of charges stemming from a November 2006 campus protest. The peaceful protest, calling for the resignation of embattled President David Caputo, was broken up by police who were called to campus by Pace administrators citing a permit requirement for student gatherings. President Caputo has since resigned under a hail of criticism.
Pace University Withholding Two Student Degrees Over Free Speech Fight
Outgoing President Caputo's Tenure Stormy Until the End
New York, NY After walking at the Pace University undergraduate commencement on May 23rd, Lauren Giaccone and John Cronan have been notified by the Pace Administration that their degrees will be withheld pending the resolution of charges stemming from a November 2006 campus protest. The peaceful protest, calling for the resignation of embattled President David Caputo, was broken up by police who were called to campus by Pace administrators citing a permit requirement for student gatherings. President Caputo has since resigned under a hail of criticism.
"I'm eager to start my career in social change but now I'm bogged down struggling to receive the degree I earned," said John Cronan, who was Political Science major at Pace and is a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). "My only crime was taking a stand against President Caputo's mismanagement and excessive salary while tuitions and fees were being raised and faculty positions were being cut."
While in theory American universities are storied venues of free expression, Pace maintains an unusual policy that requires a permit for students to gather and engage in free speech activity. Pace used the unfortunate policy to bring charges against Ms. Giaccone and Mr. Cronan. However, the students have enjoyed broad support against the charges on free speech grounds including resolutions from the Pace Faculty Councils at two campus locations and a pledge of support from the IWW labor union.
"President Caputo's antagonistic attitude towards students has clearly not abated in these last days of his tenure," said Lauren Giaccone, also a Political Science major and member of SDS. "We are hopeful that incoming president Stephen Friedman will seek a more productive relationship with students by dropping the charges against us and giving us our degrees."
SDS is calling on President Caputo, Chairman Bianco and other Administration officials to drop the charges against these students, as well as the pending charges against Brian Kelly. The group argues that withholding the degrees will cause unnecessary and unwarranted hardship for the students when they go to begin their careers. Whatever the outcome, Pace's reputation in the eyes of students, alumni, parents, and the academic community is likely to suffer for this heavy-handed approach to students who chose to dissent on campus.
SDS urges people to call up and write the Pace Administration officials and demand that Lauren and John Be given their diplomas, and that all disciplinary charges be dropped against them and Brian Kelly, as well.
David Caputo -President's Office
Campus Phone (212) 346-1097
Fax # 212-346-1384
Geoffrey Harter (judicial and compliance officer)
Campus Phone (914) 773-3717
Fax # 773-3766
Cell Phone 914-804-2466
Other Cell Phone 773-3766
Stephen Friedman (interim president)
Campus Phone (914) 422-4407
Marijo Russell-O'Grady (dean for students)
Campus Phone (212) 346-1306
Fax # 212-346-1563
Sign our petition as well:
http://www.petitiononline.com/lg11679n/petition.html
Contact John Cronan if you have any questions or would like to know more: [email protected]
For more information about SDS visit www.newsds.org