SCHENECTADY - Trustees of Schenectady County Community College today will discuss whether or not to go ahead and allow Scott Ritter to speak Feb. 12 at the college, according to college President Gabriel Basil. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. "It's one item on a long agenda. The board will consider whether Ritter's appearance is something that will have a detrimental effect on the college. At this time, we don't see it has having the effect," Basil said. Ritter, a former U.N. weapons inspector, is scheduled to discuss inspections in Iraq and whether war with that country is necessary. The Delmar resident is facing controversy over a past arrest for soliciting a minor over the Internet. His case was adjourned two years ago in Colonie Town Court in contemplation of dismissal and the record was sealed. Basil said he expects "trustees to come up with some kind of guidance on this issue." He will then talk with the faculty and the students on whether further action is required. The college's Student Government Association and its Faculty Student Association are paying Ritter $4,000 for his appearance at the college-sponsored event. The college is not paying for the talk from its operating budget, said college Trustee Albert de Aprix Jr. "These groups have a legally binding contract with Ritter and would lose the money if they canceled the speaking engagement," he said. He said they signed the contract with Ritter months ago, well before the current controversy began, he said. De Aprix, who also serves in the county Legislature, said he thinks the original intent of Ritter's appearance will be lost. "His alleged behavior is not accepted by society and they will crucify him if he shows up at the college," said de Aprix. "It's overpowered anything he has to say about Iraq." Basil said that although Ritter was arrested, he was never convicted, and it is not the college's place to pass judgment on him by canceling the speaking engagement. "If he was arrested and it was dismissed, who made the mistake? Was it Ritter, or the police?," said Basil. "At this point there's not enough evidence to say we're not going to invite someone who's been arrested and its been dismissed. It goes against everything we stand for," he said. Basil said that if people think Ritter's credibility has been damaged they don't have to come to the speech. But they are welcome if they would like to hear his thoughts about disarmament and possible war with Iraq. However, Basil did say circumstances could change. "I've apprised the board of the situation. I will wait to see what they say," said Basil. Basil said he has consulted with college attorneys regarding terms of the contract, but only to be prepared to answer questions about it from the community. Although student and faculty groups are paying for the appearance, any decision to break the contract would come from the administration, he said. De Aprix said he has heard a lot of concern from county legislators and the community about the speaking engagement. "I have heard plenty of people from the community who are planning on coming to picket him, and have no concern for what he has to say," said de Aprix. He said some legislators have even discussed a bill to reimburse the student and faculty groups footing the bill if the appearance is canceled. Contact Mary Martialay at 395-3113 or marym@dailygazette.com. Contact Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com. Return to Index

reply to Gazette Newspapers: gazette@dailygazette.com ************* I'll bet this reporter would love to be cc'd on any e-mails you might want to send this college president. That way he can't deny getting any suggestions that they should can the Ritter speech! Gabriel J. Basil President President's Office Elston-Room 114 381-1304 basilgj@gw.sunysccc.edu

Reporter's e-mail is: marym@dailygazette.com & lamend@dailygazette.com ************* Here's the trustee list: Send them e-mail here: Response Form The current SCCC Board of Trustees consists of the following members: Mrs. Patricia R. Feeser, Chair Mrs. Amy Maggs, Vice Chair Dr. Alexander T. LaRocco, Treasurer Mr. Nicholas C. Barber, Secretary Mr. Albert H. deAprix, Jr. Mr. Michael W. Karl Ms. Dawn Parisi Mr. J. Richard Phillippe Mr. Robert E. Ruggeri Ms. Andrea Lewis, Student Trustee ================================================== Ms. Margaret D. Huff, College Attorney Dr. Gabriel J. Basil, College President Ms. Carol A. Fatato, Administrative Assistant to the President/Board

College trustees to discuss Ritter's talk

SCCC's leader sees no detrimental effect from speech

By MARY MARTIALAY and MICHAEL LAMENDOLA
Gazette Reporters

The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

"It's one item on a long agenda. The board will consider whether Ritter's appearance is something that will have a detrimental effect on the college. At this time, we don't see it has having the effect," Basil said.

Ritter, a former U.N. weapons inspector, is scheduled to discuss inspections in Iraq and whether war with that country is necessary.

The Delmar resident is facing controversy over a past arrest for soliciting a minor over the Internet. His case was adjourned two years ago in Colonie Town Court in contemplation of dismissal and the record was sealed.

Basil said he expects "trustees to come up with some kind of guidance on this issue."

He will then talk with the faculty and the students on whether further action is required.

The college's Student Government Association and its Faculty Student Association are paying Ritter $4,000 for his appearance at the college-sponsored event.

The college is not paying for the talk from its operating budget, said college Trustee Albert de Aprix Jr.

"These groups have a legally binding contract with Ritter and would lose the money if they canceled the speaking engagement," he said.

He said they signed the contract with Ritter months ago, well before the current controversy began, he said.

De Aprix, who also serves in the county Legislature, said he thinks the original intent of Ritter's appearance will be lost.

"His alleged behavior is not accepted by society and they will crucify him if he shows up at the college," said de Aprix. "It's overpowered anything he has to say about Iraq."

Basil said that although Ritter was arrested, he was never convicted, and it is not the college's place to pass judgment on him by canceling the speaking engagement. "If he was arrested and it was dismissed, who made the mistake? Was it Ritter, or the police?," said Basil.

"At this point there's not enough evidence to say we're not going to invite someone who's been arrested and its been dismissed. It goes against everything we stand for," he said.

Basil said that if people think Ritter's credibility has been damaged they don't have to come to the speech. But they are welcome if they would like to hear his thoughts about disarmament and possible war with Iraq.

However, Basil did say circumstances could change.

"I've apprised the board of the situation. I will wait to see what they say," said Basil.

Basil said he has consulted with college attorneys regarding terms of the contract, but only to be prepared to answer questions about it from the community.

Although student and faculty groups are paying for the appearance, any decision to break the contract would come from the administration, he said.

De Aprix said he has heard a lot of concern from county legislators and the community about the speaking engagement.

"I have heard plenty of people from the community who are planning on coming to picket him, and have no concern for what he has to say," said de Aprix. He said some legislators have even discussed a bill to reimburse the student and faculty groups footing the bill if the appearance is canceled.

Contact Mary Martialay at 395-3113 or marym@dailygazette.com. Contact Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.
Return to Index

reply to Gazette Newspapers: gazette@dailygazette.com

*************

I'll bet this reporter would love to be cc'd on any e-mails you might want to send this college president. That way he can't deny getting any suggestions that they should can the Ritter speech!

Gabriel J. Basil
President
President's Office
Elston-Room 114
381-1304
basilgj@gw.sunysccc.edu

Reporter's e-mail is: marym@dailygazette.com & lamend@dailygazette.com

*************

Here's the trustee list: Send them e-mail here: Response Form

The current SCCC Board of Trustees consists of the following members:
Mrs. Patricia R. Feeser, Chair
Mrs. Amy Maggs, Vice Chair
Dr. Alexander T. LaRocco, Treasurer
Mr. Nicholas C. Barber, Secretary
Mr. Albert H. deAprix, Jr.
Mr. Michael W. Karl
Ms. Dawn Parisi
Mr. J. Richard Phillippe
Mr. Robert E. Ruggeri
Ms. Andrea Lewis, Student Trustee
==================================================
Ms. Margaret D. Huff, College Attorney
Dr. Gabriel J. Basil, College President
Ms. Carol A. Fatato, Administrative Assistant to the President/Board

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