Colgate responds to the Right Wing Conspiracy

Dear Gary,

Colgate has heard from many alumni that SA4C, an organization that has spent its time and resources in recent years trying to discredit Colgate, has sent a widely distributed email about a survey conducted by a political polling firm with respect to Colgate's curriculum and perceived politics. This effort was in no way sponsored by Colgate, but instead appears to be conducted in support of an initiative established by SA4C. The university was never contacted about this survey nor did Colgate provide the firm with email addresses of alumni.

Many alumni have contacted the university to express continued concern about their receipt of these and other unsolicited messages that appear designed to create a negative impression about Colgate. This is not new territory for SA4C, though it is very surprising since it comes at a time when the university continues to gain wide recognition for its excellence.

In just the past few years, Colgate has won praise from national media, recently naming the university one of the "New Ivies.” National educational associations have lauded the core curriculum, calling it a "model" for others to follow. Applications from high school seniors who want to attend Colgate have never been higher. Alumni fundraising is at an all-time high. All of these are powerful indicators of Colgate’s current strength.

Yet SA4C wants you to believe that there is a problem with Colgate's direction. Perhaps this strategy of “going negative” is natural for those who operate in the political environment and pay for surveys conducted by political pollsters. (Christine Burtt, who has served as SA4C’s executive director is, as some of you may know, a political consultant when she is not doing SA4C work.) However, it is misplaced at an academic institution.

As Colgate moves forward, we want to engage in dialogue with all alumni who seek to understand, not simply engage in a misleading debate. This represents the great majority of Colgate alumni – people who care deeply for their alma mater and want to secure its future by making a great institution even better. For those who wish to get the facts, we have posted a webpage where we will correct incorrect information SA4C might advance. The site is: http://www.colgate.edu/DesktopDefault1.aspx?tabid=2623&pgID=6022

Your input, your questions, and your commitment to our students, the future of Colgate, are greatly appreciated. We look forward to finding new ways for you to connect with the university.

Sincerely,

Charlie Melichar
Vice President
Public Relations and Communications
cmelichar@colgate.edu