I am aware of the reaction to the Concordiensis article that appeared in the paper yesterday, as well as the follow-up articles. I want to say that I have heard the message you have all been sending. I want to say that I remain firmly committed to helping Union in its role as a leader for Greek organizations.
A strong vibrant Greek life is critical to what makes Union a uniquely strong community.
As many of you recognize, we owe much to Timothy Dunn in mobilizing the Greek community. I want to apologize for the impression my comments made as quoted in the paper’s article. I can only say that they do not reflect my opinion of Timothy’s service to Union over the last five years.
We hired Sunni Solomon after a thorough search; he is highly qualified, and I know him as knowledgeable and thoroughly committed to Greek life at Union. He came to Union after the changes in social life were decided by the Greek Task Force, and he played no role in that decision.
I recognize that students appreciate open communication, and I would be happy to speak with individual students or groups of students. My office hours are on Wednesdays from 2:00-5:00 pm. If that time is not convenient for you, please contact me at x6116 to schedule an appointment.
Steve Leavitt
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
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The Greek Task Force was not responsible for implementing the no keg policy or how all fraternities must register.
You’re entirely right. Your son’s case was not handled judiciously and I hope you intend to look into it so your son can receive the punishment he justly deserves. #zerotolerancepolicy Before bringing up moot points in regards to something selfish like your son’s case, I encourage you to look into the school’s policies, otherwise you’re doing the same thing that Sunni is.
A strong Greek community has also contributed to the culture of sexual assault and degradation of women on this campus – but the Deans seem to care little if any about that.
Being Greek and being a rapist are two different things. Sexual assault rates are often higher on campuses without Greek life like Amherst and Williams.
Sexual assault can happen anywhere. There are instances of assault at parties that are not hosted by fraternities and there are instances of assault that have nothing to do with parties at all. Many Greek students are very involved in sexual assault awareness. The changes in policies regarding sexual assault and increased awareness that Union has developed over the past 2 years have been very positive.
Union has taken massive strides to increase awareness of and to prevent sexual assault. Case in point, the creation of Safe House and the Safe Space initiative. The school has now developed a sexual assault 24/7 hotline that will link any student to a professional staff dean, counselor, and resident director who all have been trained to handle the issues appropriately. There is also a team of students who reside in the Safe House and abroad who are trained to talk to, counsel, and add victims of assault. Students have the option to remain anonymous and simply report the occurrence or the College can facilitate their visit to a health center, on campus or off. To say that Union has done nothing about this problem is irresponsible and uninformed.
Burn…
The policies that DKE violated where instituted well before the task force. The issue is the discrepancy in adjudication and treatment that DKE is receiving in comparison to identical violations last year. To say that Sunni has not changed the system leaves me to believe; 1) you have changed the system, or 2) it is a lie and Sunni ultimately has. I believe the truth is evident and our Greek system is nothing close to what we once knew it to be.
As a member of Greek Life at Union, I must say thank you for taking the time to respond to us, Dean Leavitt. However, your defense of Sunni’s case in the matter doesn’t quite stick. Sunni’s “qualifications” don’t seem to be holding a candle to, let alone matching up to what Timothy Dunn was able to provide us with as Greeks during his time here. Tim was an advisor and a friend to all Greeks, invested in our best interests and willing to listen and communicate with us when we needed it. While being a friend to the section of the student body he is attempting to represent is not a requirement of Sunni’s position, I stand by my previous statement and would like to again state how appalling it is that Sunni has still yet to make any attempt to introduce himself, make himself known, or even seem to make himself available to our community. His ‘thorough commitment’ to Union is severely lacking and it would seem, given by your statement, that you are among a very small minority who sees it. As a Union Greek, I have known Sunni for a very short period of time and I’m sure he is a very nice person, however, I think it sets a bad precedence for the students at this College, let alone the Greeks, to think that trying your best makes a difference in the real world. Sunni was removed from Binghamton because of the damage he did to their Greek system and it would seem he has done very little to correct the mistakes he made their. In my personal opinion, and I’m sure there are others who would agree, Sunni needs to either reassess his approach and take a moment to get to know his constituents and the culture of the school he’s attempting to join or he needs to be removed before he does further damage to the already delicate Greek System. The Greek System at Union College is in a time of need and Sunni’s one-track minded decisions are blocking us from solving these problems together, Greeks, administrators and Union as a whole. If we are to save ourselves- to fix our situation for all parties involved, communication is key and Sunni has done nothing but push all student voices off.
Dean Leavitt, I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond to the articles and comments that have been uploaded on the Concordiensis website the past 32 or so hours. I am very appreciative that you have taken the time to protect Tim Dunn’s legacy. I however have some serious issues with the other things you have stated in this article:
1) “I remain firmly committed to helping Union in its role as a leader for Greek organizations.”
I’m glad you finally put this in writing. However, I have heard from other people how at the Greek Life Task Force meeting how you stated that you wanted to make it very hard for a Greek House to lose their housing. DKE is losing their house essentially over a charge of a keg and over the questionable charge of an unregistered social event. Prove me wrong Leavitt. Be a man of your words.
2) “We hired Sunni Solomon after a thorough search; he is highly qualified”
I pull my argument completely from a comment on a different article:
“Just a note about Sunni, his past and his qualifications, a quote from Pipe Dream, the student run newspaper at the University of Binghamton University where his contract was not renewed…
“Aaron Ricks, who will serve as Student Association vice president for academic affairs next year, told Pipe Dream that Solomon’s reputation in the student body’s Greek community is largely negative, however.
“From what I understand, Sunni has been an unpopular, polarizing figure among student leaders in Greek Life organizations since he arrived here a few years ago,” said Ricks, a junior majoring in political science. “Either way, this is the University’s decision and I hope it’s for the best.”
Sunni said about his role there …”Solomon said he was one of the first to address underage drinking and hazing in BU’s Greek system.“I think I’m the first person to really crack down on it, which is interesting,” Solomon said. “And there has been some pushback on that strangely enough, not from the students, but from the administration. That either I’m getting too tough, or going too far to enforce the rules, but we had issues. It’s no secret that we have issues.”
His qualifications are at best, underwhelming….”Before coming to Binghamton, Solomon worked in medical claims at State Farm Insurance and then at the University of Alabama as coordinator of student involvement in Greek life. He is completing his graduate degree in college student affairs from Eastern Illinois University. Solomon was born and raised in Pittsburgh and completed his undergraduate education at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in business administration and marketing. ”
I found a ranking for Cheney University, 3860. Union is consistently in the Top 50. Just a guess, but he appears to be way out of his league. I’m guessing his idol is Eric Holder.”
In addition, I was at the interviews of the final four candidates. Each was more underwhelming then the next. It wasn’t a matter of picking the most qualified candidate. None of them were qualified. Sunni was just the best of the worst.
3) ” I know him as knowledgeable and thoroughly committed to Greek life at Union”
He has zero knowledge of Union College policy. He is new to the job but even then that should be no excuse as a professional. He is completely lost and has no pulse on the Greek or student body. That he is thoroughly commited to Greek Life at Union is laughable at best. Leavitt, ask Sunni to respond to an email on a timely fashion some time. Tell him to be in his office more often. Tell him to see a student when they come in, when they have a question rather than turning them away and telling them to make appointment. Also, inform him that Greek Director is not a 9-5 job and that going to IFC meetings is part of his job. And that after 5pm on weekdays and that on weekends he cannot say to a student , “Sorry… I’m off the clock.” and then proceed to blow the student/s off.
4) “A strong vibrant Greek life is critical to what makes Union a uniquely strong community.”
If this is true then why have you been trying to make the Union College Greek Life a shell of what it was. There are problems with Greek Life at Union but the way administration is going about it is terrible. All it is doing is alienating groups of people and creating public bad blood between the student body and the administration. Also, if this is true then why did you guys find it appropriate to even offer Sunni a chance to be Greek Director at Union. If you had done your research you would have known his reputation as someone who singlehandedly nearly destroyed the Greek Life at Binghampton. When I told my national representative about the hiring of Sunni, he responded, “That sucks”. Somehow, he knows Sunni because of his terrible reputation. That should say something to you.
All I can say is that I am really interested how you, the administration, and President Ainlay are going to fix this situation. Good Luck.
This article only serves as a way for you to apologize to Tim Dunn and say that Sunni is doing the correct thing. You are trying to make yourself not look bad.
Dean Leavitt, are you deaf? Clearly you have not “heard the message.” A majority of the student body wants you revisit this case and to give DKE the proper judicial process that it deserves. For christ sake, it wants you to follow your own rules! But for some odd reason, you think that by reneging your previous sanctions to DKE that it will show weakness to the whole campus community. Believe me, it will not. If anything we will understand that you are indeed a man that can be relied on and is a leader capable of accepting the fact that he is not always right.
Some times even the greatest leaders make mistakes. However, whether they own up to these mistakes or not
determines if the people under their leadership will follow them again.
-Sorry got cut off
one of the best responses I’ve read about this. Dean Leavitt clearly has no regard for the judicial process or the brothers of DKE as students of this school
I’m glad you “heard the message” Dean Leavitt. Now what do plan on doing about it?
To the Dean and all else involved:
It is not too late to go back and fix past mistakes. Whether it is the fact that DKE did not receive a proper judicial process, that greeks are being unfairly treated by having grad assistants walk through at all times of the night (why isn’t this done on seward or in theme houses? If they are really just there to check on us and to see that our house is in decent condition, come between 9 and 5. NOT WHEN I’M TRYING TO SLEEP AND DO HOMEWORK BETWEEN 10 and 2), or that your and your administration’s communication with greeks but more importantly the campus community is terrible. Why do numerous articles and posts need to be written to get some response from the administration. Why don’t you actually leave Reamer and talk to us and find out, and not just talk with a few students who are on one committee or another that you set up. Moreover, perhaps you should have more than 3 hours a week dedicated to potential communication with students.
Admitting your mistakes rather than trying to handle this all with posts and conversations that in the end accomplish nothing, would help reestablish faith in the administration but also would be a tremendous chance for you to act as a leader and a teacher. Continuing to do nothing and stand by decisions that have upset literally hundreds of students and alumni in 2 days is insulting and is only furthering the divide between students and administration. I am asking you, please do something constructive. Please listen to the students and bring about change.
As a someone who is quite familiar with the situation (from the Greek side), DKE appreciates the outpouring of support. That being said, I ask that everyone please remain civil (for now) when addressing the administration. As DKE tries to resolve this manner and appeal to other powers at Union, antagonizing the deans will only make that more difficult.
Dean Leavitt, didn’t you learn in academic writing an ad hominem attack is not a sufficient way to promote an argument?
“you’ve heard the message”??? is that why the student handbook is suddenly being changed
Dean Leavitt,
You are simply a liar and a cheat. In all phases you have done everything you could to undermine a fair process. From a mysterious change to the student handbook to pitting students against each other. If you are a Greek leader be honest and transparent not mysterious and cloudy. If you are a “leader” then what does limiting a Greek organization to the desirability of a club actually accomplish for the students? Nothing. This is purely a move to protect the liability and the bottom line the college pays out. As if the amount of money students pay is not enough already.
-The Recession
Leavitt, you’re a joke, especially if you think any credible person in academia or at Union/alumnae believes you.
Here’s a thought, ” Nationwide is on your side!”
Hurray: Getting The Word Out
Administrators and Trustees Need To Develop and Implement
An Honor Code of Ethics To Guide Their Own Behavior
By: Stephen B. Jones, an enraged parent of a former Union College student
I applaud the current, long overdue student uprising against the Union College administration and trustees. The opinions expressed in regard to the sanctions against Delta Kappa Epsilon and the new honor code are right on target. The issues are as relevant today as they were 5 years ago when my son was a freshman at Union.
Brendan Callanan ’14 has it right to “believe that the school community (including parents) is entitled to know the incompetency displayed by our school’s administration”, and in my son’s case the illegal and criminal activity that they engaged in. Nothing will change at Union College until the administration and trustees develop and implement an honor code of ethics to guide and improve their own corrupt behavior.
Without considering any right to due process as outlined in the student code of conduct, Dean Levitt capriciously and arbitrarily expelled my son, a court proven totally innocent student without any hearing, without any evidence, and without any witnesses. Levitt continues to deprive my son of his civil rights. By a quick call to Robert Carney, the Schenectady DA, and a very loyal Union College alumnus, Levitt made sure that my son’s case and Union College’s illegal and criminal atrocities would never be publically scrutinized in the Schenectady District Court and the Schenectady Supreme Court.
From my experience, a conversation with Dean Levitt consists of lies, lies, and more lies, sprinkled with “I didn’t know that” and “I can’t remember”. Only a fool would believe anything that Levitt has to say. His mode of operation continues with actions to cover-up the administration’s self-created messes at the students’ expense.
The student handbook is a contract between the students and the college. The rules of conduct mean nothing to this current administration. President Ainlay and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mark L. Walsh have in their possession a 9-page breach of contract of the rules and regulations from the student handbook that were breached in the handling of my son. The document contains 11 breaches of contract and 53 complaints. I have documentation that verifies every statement in this letter. I have yet to receive a response or an acknowledgement to this registered correspondence from Union College.
The administration and trustees would do well to reflect on the wisdom of their former colleague, Timothy J. Dunn: “Judicial procedures – regardless of who stands accused – have implication for the entire student body. To abrogate the rights of one works an injustice to all. Further, it completely undermines the education mission of any college or university.”
From my son’s experience, the administration and the trustees should stop their charade and embrace a judicial process that will reflect justice and enhance the educational mission for the entire community at Union College. Abrogating the rights of innocent students is an abomination!