To President Denise Battles and Provost Stacey Robertson,

We, the concerned students and alumni of the State University of New York, College at Geneseo are asking you to take immediate action in response to the article published in the Lamron on November 15, 2018 that reveals severe sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and potential sexual assault on the part of Professor of History Emilye Crosby.

We do NOT feel that a statement saying that there was simply no law or policy against this misconduct at the time is adequate, especially when the safety and well-being of students is in jeopardy. In our Humanities classes we have been taught that there are some crimes so heinous that they do not warrant the protection of authority. We feel that sexual misconduct against students entrusted to one’s care falls in the category of one of these crimes.

Among us are members of the LGBTQ community, who feel that Professor Crosby’s actions represent the worst of hateful stereotypes directed towards us — that we are predators, that we are not fit to teach students — that have been used to target, injure, and kill us for much of history. We understand that Professor Crosby is a talented scholar, but as we have collectively learned from the #metoo movement, an individual’s prestige and talent do not absolve them of their crimes.

This is an issue of student safety. Significant evidence has arisen that a professor manipulated, targeted, stalked, and possibly assaulted a student in one of her classes. The fact that this individual is allowed to teach student, grade students, and continue receiving access to new pools of potential victims damages the credibility of our proud institution.

We love this school. But if we do not feel safe sending our children or future children into a professor’s care, we cannot support this institution until action is taken.

We request from your office the following:

-      That the Drs. Carol and Micheal Harter Endowment for Faculty Mentoring Award awarded to Dr. Crosby in 2004 from SUNY Geneseo be revoked

-       That no further classes taught by Dr. Crosby be scheduled

-       That Dr. Crosby be kept away from students at SUNY Geneseo, whether she take a leave of absence or be moved to an admin or research role where she does not have contact with students.

-       That, if other victims of Dr. Crosby come forward, she be removed from the school immediately. 

-       That the current administration make a commitment to be transparent in the processes above and keep students informed of any action taken. 

The issue of Professor Crosby’s misconduct has been swept under the rug by previous administrations. You, President Battles, have the chance to do the right thing. We sincerely hope that you will join us in the pursuit of justice and fairness as we protect current and future students. #TimesUpGeneseo

Sincerely,

The Undersigned