To the Corcoran Board of Trustees,
We, The Students for Saving the Corcoran, begin our campaign of action today at the Corcoran College of Art + Design as we have been incredibly troubled by the constant problems the Corcoran has endured due to an irresponsible administration. This action is in response to the lack of transparency and accountability that has plagued our college and museum for the past decade and now threatens the institution’s future stability and founding mission to encourage American Genius.
We have initiated this campaign because we believe you are leading the college down the wrong road. Continuous poor decision-making by the Board of Trustees and leadership has contributed to a dire financial deficit for which no one has been held accountable. The manner in which the Corcoran is being governed is deplorable and consequences must be faced for this blatant mismanagement. Your actions have disrupted our creativity and environment for learning, as well as jeopardizing the futures and careers of hundreds of students. You have left us with little choice than to bring your actions into public light.
We will continue our campaign until the following demands have been met:
1. The board of trustees must immediately implement structural changes with the goal of creating transparent and democratic decision-making process.
The administration’s gross mismanagement and cronyism warrants a new and different process than what has led the college into this crisis. To end this pattern, we have outlined initiatives that the board must take:
- Record and document board meetings and make minutes publicly available;
- Appoint a student, a faculty member, a staff member and alumni as voting members of the Board of Trustees;
- Implement a board member removal process where board members may be removed by a majority vote from the Corcoran student body and Faculty Association.
2. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Harry F. Hopper III and Director Fred Bollerer must resign immediately.
- Under your tenure, the Corcoran has been set on a path to financial ruin. Your lack of vision, accountability, credentials and integrity has shown you are no longer suitable for the positions you hold.
3. Appoint Wayne Reynolds as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
- The appointment of Mr. Reynolds will allow the Corcoran to thrive once again without the aid of a partner. It is our goal that the Corcoran remain independent until the institution is financially stable. Mr. Reynolds’ vision will realign the institution with the original intentions of its founder, William Wilson Corcoran, as a place for creativity, world-class contemporary art and the encouragement of American genius.