Campus Center, 105A

sites.sjfc.edu/sga
585. 385. 8213
SGA@sjfc.edu


Dear President Bain,

April 24th, 2015

I am writing to you in order to express my deep disappointment with the letter written
on April 17th by a select minority of the St. John Fisher College faculty. I have had the
opportunity to read over the document as well as participate in the faculty assembly
discussion this past Tuesday. I acknowledge their concerns and I understand their
argument and believe that it is coming from a genuine place. However, I feel the faculty
failed to consult the student body and take into account the meaning of this event to
not only students but also their families. Commencement is an event that is supposed to
highlight the achievements and graduation of the senior class, not one used to make
political statements by rescinding a common practice of bestowing the keynote speaker
with an honorary degree.

To make commencement political is a serious concern for the students who will be
participating. Although I have spoken with a few students who disagree with Rudy
Giulianis political opinion, I have been unable to find a student who is opposed to him
speaking on their commencement day.

I am also deeply concerned with the letter written by the faculty due to the blatant
editing of what our Fisher Creed, a document written by students, actually states. The
first value emphasized on the Creed is Respect for ourselves; for others, their ideas
and beliefs; and for our community as a whole. This misrepresentation of a core
principle, to me shows their lack of regard for students.

Since I have walked onto this campus, I have been taught by many of my professors to
open my mind and to make an attempt to approach situations from a viewpoint
different than my own. Many students believe that Mayor Giulianis leadership and
experience following the events of September 11th, 2001, will add value to the
magnitude of the importance of their transition from a student to a well-educated
citizen. I would respectfully request that you take the students views on this issue into
consideration along with the handful of St. John Fisher Colleges faculty.

If you would like to discuss this further, please dont hesitate to contact me.

Christopher W. Genrich
President, Student Government Association 2014-2015