Petition for Financial Transparency at Naropa

We, the undersigned members of the Naropa community—students, faculty, alumni, and concerned citizens—are deeply troubled by the recent decision to sell the university’s main campus. This decision, reportedly driven by financial difficulties, has raised significant concerns about the university’s management practices, particularly in light of past lawsuits, such as those related to inappropriate relationships between professors and students.

In alignment with the university’s core values of compassion and regenerative leadership, we respectfully request that the administration take the following actions:

1. Full Disclosure of Financial Records

We call on the university to publicly disclose all financial records, including detailed information on the revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities, dating back at least twenty years. This disclosure should include:

• The university’s annual budgets and financial statements.
• Information on all sources of income, including tuition, donations, grants, and investments.
• Detailed accounts of all expenditures, including legal fees and settlements related to lawsuits.
• The financial impact of selling the main campus, including how the proceeds will be used.

2. Commitment to Ongoing Transparency

We urge the administration to commit to ongoing financial transparency by:

• Establishing regular public updates on the university’s financial status.
• Creating a financial oversight committee that includes representation from students, faculty, and alumni.
• Ensuring that all future major financial decisions are communicated transparently and involve community input.

3. Addressing the Root Causes of Financial Instability

We believe it is crucial to address the underlying issues that have led to the current financial instability, particularly those stemming from lawsuits, related to inappropriate relationships between professors and students. We request that the university:

• Conduct an independent audit to assess the financial impact of these lawsuits.
• Implement and enforce stricter policies and training to prevent such issues from occurring in the future.
• Provide a clear plan for restoring the university’s financial health and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its operations.

In conclusion

We believe that transparency and accountability are essential for the health and sustainability of our university community. We respectfully request that the administration take immediate action by disclosing the requested financial information.

We recognize that there may be legitimate constraints on disclosing every single financial detail. While we understand these limitations, we believe that a balance can be struck between protecting sensitive information and providing the community with a meaningful level of transparency.