Laid-Off Faculty Sue College Of New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A lawsuit has been filed against the College of New Rochelle by members of the faculty who were laid off in June. The suit, which was filed Wednesday, Oct. 18, names the college, the Board of Trustees and interim President Dorothy Escribano as defendants.

The lawsuit was brought by the College of New Rochelle Senate, the Council of the Faculty of the college and 14 faculty members. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

According to the petition, filed in the New York Supreme Court, “[r]espondents terminated the individual petitioners without a declaration of financial exigency and without following the detailed co-governance procedures set forth in the college’s handbooks.”

They called the layoffs “arbitrary and capricious,” and said it is therefore legally void.

The suit asks for a jury trial.

On the college’s website, Board of Trustees Chairwoman Gwen Adolph said the college has consistently said that it regrets laying off even one person.

“[B]ut we did what was necessary for the viability of the college and the continued quality education of our students,” she said. “We are disappointed about the lawsuit and the resources that will be required to defend it, but we are not discouraged.”

President Judith Huntington resigned in October 2016 when it was discovered that the college was in deep financial trouble, including the failure to file required tax returns and nonpayment of about $20 million in payroll taxes.

The College of New Rochelle is a nonprofit, private college. It was incorporated as Ursuline Seminary in 1898, and its charter was amended in 1910 to change its name to the College of New Rochelle.

Patch file photo.