STAND WITH US against The College of Saint Rose!

Dear Friends:

One year ago we were unjustly terminated as long-serving, tenured professors at The College of Saint Rose. We immediately appealed our terminations to the Faculty Review Committee and we won that decision! The FRC stated that: " The procedure that the full faculty of the College agreed to with RepCom was not followed."

But it seems that wasn't good enough for Saint Rose President Marcia White. She rejected the committee's recommendation that we be reinstated. So we took the next step -- we sued in New York State Supreme Court. On December 14th we won, again! Read the judge's ruling here . It was stunning. Judge Lynch wrote: [the College's] "select, narrow, and erroneous interpretation of the manual appears to have been by design, to eliminate (the professors') tenured positions wrongfully." He goes on to say that the college's "actions cannot stand!"

No, the College's unethical actions against cannot stand! But while the judge reinstated us as tenured professors, Saint Rose and Marcia White wasted no time in appealing the judge’s decision. What could their strategy be? Since they can't seem to win on the merits, it wouldn't surprise us if they’re trying to choke off our financial ability to fight their injustice.

We need you to stand with us! We've been your dedicated teachers, your colleagues, fellow educators and musicians, neighbors and friends. You've attended our concerts and many of you have even enjoyed shopping at the Trader Joe's Bruce brought to Albany! In whatever manner you've gotten to know us, we're grateful for your friendship, and thankful for your support, as well as the support we're receiving from our community and nationwide!

Please be as generous as you can. Your contributions will help defray our legal costs. Help amplify our voices too! Please share this appeal widely and together let's create a resounding chorus of support!

Lastly, we'd like you remind you that we were not the only ones affected by Marcia White's and Saint Rose's misguided retrenchment policy. We dedicate this fight to our thirty other Saint Rose colleagues who were also terminated. Just as you STAND with us, we STAND in solidarity with them and with all this community has lost!

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you! We look forward to staying in touch and keeping you posted on our progress.

Sincerely,

Drs. Bruce Roter, Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, Robert Hansbrough, and Sherwood Wise.