RCC's Faculty Senate Demand Replacement of College President

by Mindy Cohn

Rockland Community College Faculty Senate has responded to cost-cutting measures and a change in management style by calling for the RCC's Board of Trustees to oust Senate Faculty President Dr. Lester Rápalo from his position as college president.

As first reported by RCBJ, the forty-three-member group claims that the president, who was placed into office in July 2023, is responsible for financial mismanagement, failure to communicate with the administration, and a lack of leadership and professionalism. 

While the college's board of trustees remains behind the president, the senate resolution calls for SUNY to appoint an interim officer to steer the college.

The demand is due to Rockland Community College's budget shortfalls as the college faces a $8 million budget deficit that only became public after Rápalo took office.

Additional frustration is based on mandatory furloughs, hiring freezes, and layoffs meant to ease the budget woes, as well as falling enrollment and tuition increases.

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