October 8, 2004
To The Board of Trustees of Wells College, Aurora, New York
We, parents of the women of Wells College, resolved and united, do hereby petition that the decision of 10/2/04 by the Board of Trustees of Wells College (authorizing the admittance of men to Wells beginning in the fall semester of 2005) be set aside.
This petition is based first and foremost on the immediate and crucial need to end the present turmoil on campus. The action taken by the Board of Trustees has created a negative impact on the students’ ability to pursue fully their academics, which must remain the primary focus and goal of Wells College, as well in their participation in Wells social life (such as clubs, organizations and sports).
It appears clear to parents that this decision has been based on limited consultation by the Trustees. This did not include, in any substantive manner, input from students, parents or alumnae, the very groups that have standing in such a major change in the Mission Statement of Wells College.
We are united in our opposition to coeducation. Wells’136 year history has produced thousands of well educated women who have, each in her own way, contributed to our nation in ways that can never be fully gauged nor properly appreciated.
We strongly request that you revisit this issue in a formal study which would include consultation with alumnae, students, parents, faculty, Administration and Trustees.
We offer our full and unequivocal assistance in the promotion, marketing, and recruitment of students to achieve and maintain the College’s own publicly stated goal for the enrollment of at least 450 female students.
We hereby resolve, and ask the Trustees to join us, in recommitting ourselves to the Mission Statement of Wells College, in the spirit of its founder, Henry Wells, and in honor of all alumnae of Wells.
Signed, representing as of this writing over one third of parents of current Wells students,
Joseph LaBarbera
Wells College Parent Representative