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Paul Smith’s name-change proposal is questionable

To the editor:

As a former Paul Smith’s College student, I am familiar with the proposal to rename the college and am strongly opposed.

As the battle rages on, the group Alumni and Friends Against Changing Paul Smith’s College’s Name has uncovered many interesting points about the proposal. I would like to share a few with your readers.

The college is strongly opposed to the court allowing the Alumni and Friends group to be a party to the case. Why? Why not allow both pros and cons?

The college is arguing that the “forever known as Paul Smith’s College” provision of the benefactor’s will should be set aside while at the same time submitting a renaming proposal that contains the same or very similar language protecting the new name. One asks the rationale behind this contradictory position and also questions tampering with a person’s will.

A main point of the college’s argument is Paul Smith’s College is in dire financial straits and cannot survive much longer without an influx of cash. Research by the Alumni and Friends group shows that financial results for the years 2000 to 2013, as reported by the college itself, does not support that contention. In fact, it shows rather healthy years for that period, except for two.

It seems that the process used to develop this proposal was done in the “dark of night,” so to speak, involving little if any input from stakeholder groups such as current students, alumni, staff and the public. Why no involvement of these groups? Was it fear of a firestorm of negative reaction?

These are just some of the many questionable circumstances surrounding this proposal.

Saranac Lake Mayor Clyde Rabideau was quoted as saying, “I accept their decision on face value as the Weills are good, generous and honorable people and we are fortunate they support us.”

Well, Mr. Mayor, over 3,300 alumni, friends and current students, all signers of petitions against the proposal, choose to differ with you. We investigated and researched the issue and developed good, sound reasoning to oppose the renaming.

It is our united hope that Judge Ellis will allow our request for “standing” in the court and that, upon presenting our case, we will prevail and Paul Smith’s College will live forever as intended, Paul Smith’s College.

Thanks for the opportunity to share.

John Casadonte

PSC ’63

Mohawk

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