Courtesy of Elaine Sandoval Carrasco
From campus protests to the inauguration of President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D, Connecticut College has been through a turbulent chapter—one that many seem eager to move past, but few are willing to fully acknowledge.
The circumstances that led to Chapdelaine’s appointment are largely glossed over in official communications and throughout inauguration week. The inauguration program offers a glowing summary of former President Katherine Bergeron’s tenure, highlighting curriculum changes and fundraising milestones, but omits the context of her departure: a campus in crisis, student and faculty protests, and a vote of no confidence. Bergeron resigned after protests against her scheduling a fundraiser at the Everglades Club—a venue with a racist and antisemitic past—sparking outrage and the resignation of the dean of institutional equity and inclusion. Students, faculty, and staff united in protest, occupying Fanning Hall and demanding not just Bergeron’s resignation, but real institutional change.
Yet in the inauguration program’s “Past Presidents” section, Bergeron is almost praised, her legacy sanitized for the sake of continuity. Will we ever openly acknowledge the serious issues that led to this transition? Or are we destined to repeat the cycle of crisis and denial?
The inauguration itself was telling: Palmer Auditorium was strikingly empty, students were encouraged to attend “watch parties” elsewhere days in advance, as the organizing team was expecting many alumni and other guests to fill up Palmer. Some blamed the rain, but the silence in the seats felt like more than just bad weather. Was allowing students into Palmer at the last minute an attempt to fill the void? Does the new administration understand the power and agency students wield at Connecticut College?
Meanwhile, campus facilities are in disarray. The Crozier-Williams (Cro) building, a central hub for student life, remains under renovation, its completion delayed until at least late May. Students deal with failing infrastructure as a large amount of money is spent on an inauguration for a president who has had the job for the entire past academic year.
Are we all moving forward together? Collapsing bathroom ceilings in Branford and disruptive construction at all hours in Cro that can be heard from the Plex and other resident halls are among the things that fellow students have to deal with daily. As summer approaches, the main dining hall, Harris Refectory, is closing for renovations, with parts already cordoned off. This closure compresses students into even smaller dining spaces. The upstairs Harris Atrium, once a piano lounge and popular student hangout, has been hastily converted into a temporary lunch area. Even this space is packed to capacity during rush hours, with students struggling to find seats or a quiet moment between classes.
Meanwhile, Cro, where students are supposed to eat during the summer, is nowhere near finished. Navigating Cro has become a daily obstacle course: students zigzag through construction zones just to get to class, pick up packages from the mailroom, or attend dance classes inside the building. The promised “vibrant hub for campus life” remains a vision on paper, while the reality is dust, noise, and confusion.
This patchwork approach to student life has left many feeling squeezed, both literally and figuratively. With essential gathering spots repurposed or under construction, the sense of community Connecticut College prides itself on feels increasingly fragile. As the College continues to tout its “Forward Together” mantra, students are left wondering: together, perhaps, but forward to where?
The secrecy around decision-making is palpable. Many students express confusion, even cynicism, as they attend the forced “inauguration picnic” on Tempel Green, wondering what, exactly, there is to celebrate. The College claims to champion shared governance and community input, but the reality feels more like self-preservation than genuine collaboration. In an era where the survival of small liberal arts colleges is far from guaranteed, Connecticut College faces complex challenges that cannot be solved by slogans alone.
If students could hold a vote of confidence, what would the result be? The mood on campus suggests skepticism, if not outright disillusionment. Even the celebratory events surrounding the inauguration feel hollow. The “Totally 80s Talent Show” in honor of Chapdelaine’s arrival was, by many accounts, the only music department show she attended this semester, despite the vibrant artistic life that continues at Conn. It’s hard not to see this as symbolic: a leadership that appears only for the photo op, not the daily realities.
Are we really moving “Forward Together,” as the inauguration’s mantra claims? Chapdelaine’s speech offered hope and a vision for the future, and I understand her cautious approach as the college faces larger crises. I do not dislike Chapdelaine; I recognize her experience and the challenges she inherits. But hope alone is not enough, and the weeks to come will be a turning point for me and many other students.
To truly move forward together, we must confront the past with honesty, acknowledge our recent pain, and commit to transparency and shared purpose. Until then, “Forward Together” risks being just another slogan, one that rings hollow in the echo of a slightly empty auditorium.
