On September 16th, 2024, John Jay President Karol Mason, Faculty Senate President Karen Kaplowitz, and Student Council President Yarik Munoz all gathered to host the first Town Hall of the 2024-2025 school year.

Among one of the main the concerns discussed during the Town Hall meeting was Professor Ric Curtis’s anticipated return to the classroom, which is supposed to occur next fall.

In 2018, the John Jay administration launched an investigation into allegations under CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct against four Professors, including Curtis. He and three other professors reportedly violated CUNY policies in 2018, including the Policy on Sexual Misconduct and the Policy on Drugs and Alcohol.

The students who gathered in line to question President Mason about this asked for insight into the reasoning behind the CUNY administration’s decision to permit Professor Curtis to return to campus. Mason made the Town Hall attendees well aware that she disagrees and was disappointed with the arbitration decisions.

In an attempt to communicate their unease, two students wore shirts that read: “John Jay loves Rapists” (see photo to right) and “Diddy College” (see photo to left). The latter was an apparent reference to indicted rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sexual abuse allegations

In their comments, students expressed concern about what the college administration will do to ensure that Professor Curtis does not engage in misconduct in the future and how it will safeguard its students. Students also expressed how they felt unsafe on campus in light of this news.

President Mason assured that Curtis will be made aware of the standards he will be held to as an educator at John Jay College.

Furthermore, President Mason reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to student safety at the college. Noting that all incidents and safety concerns should be reported to Diego Redondo, Director of Public Safety, and Gabriella Leal, Title IX Coordinator. 

“I will tell you we take everything we hear incredibly seriously, as far as safety is concerned,” she said. “We have escorts and public safety around and if there are suggestions you think we can make to keep the campus safer, we welcome those suggestions,” said President Mason.

In the wake of students’ surrounding this matter, the administration urged students with complaints or feelings of harassment, discomfort, or sexual harassment to confide in a professor or faculty member they trust.

Karen Kaplowitz, an English Professor and President of the Faculty Senate addressed the audience that as of August 1st, 2024, federal Title IX regulations require all employees of the college to report any incidents of sexual misconduct.

“We are all mandatory reporters,” said Professor Kaplowitz.

In an interview, Sophomore Representative Chair Aneesa Thomas expressed her opinion on accountability within John Jay.

“Having the issue regarding Professor Curtis highlights how we should conduct ourselves as a college,” she said. “I do feel that the decisions made by the arbitrator, again, do not reflect what the John Jay community believes,” said Thomas.

Thomas continued, “There has to be higher level of accountability and credibility in terms of how issues are presented and how we can make a fair and just school overall.” 

Given the tense political climate and ongoing global conflicts, President Mason also addressed the concerns of students about free speech and visibility.

President Mason stated all complaints regarding discrimination are being thoroughly investigated by the Title IX office. President Mason also mentioned that there will be a series of open discussions within the college.

President Mason’s official statement mentioned, “As part of this effort, I’m planning a fall 2024 listening tour to solicit feedback on #1 and preview campus-wide work on #2. Stops on the listening tour include regularly scheduled meetings of the John Jay College Foundation Board, President’s Leadership Council, Faculty Senate, College Council, Council of Chairs, Student Council, HEO Council, Town Hall, and an open forum,” said President Mason.  

In an interview Student Council President Yarik Munoz about the first Town Hall of the semester Munoz claimed, “I enjoy how the students came and advocated their concerns. I enjoy Town Hall. The administration takes the Title IX complaints very seriously and the administration here makes sure to follow up on every case.’’