Pres. Ojakian Statement on CCSU Theatre Department Organizational and Personnel Changes
I applaud President Toro for taking prompt and decisive action to make CCSU – and the theatre department in particular – a better, more welcoming learning environment.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian released the following statement in response to Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) President Zulma R. Toro’s actions taken today to improve the culture at the school’s theatre department, including the termination of Professors Joshua Perlstein and Thomas Delventhal.
“I applaud President Toro for taking prompt and decisive action to make CCSU – and the theatre department in particular – a better, more welcoming learning environment. The reports released today identify important steps that can and must be taken to ensure that all sexual misconduct complaints are received with the utmost seriousness, thoroughly investigated, and acted upon accordingly. I am beyond confident in the President’s ability to oversee and implement the necessary cultural and policy changes in a thoughtful and transparent manner.”
The personnel and organizational changes announced today follow months-long investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving several students against Professors Perlstein and Delventhal, as well as a separate investigation into the theatre department’s culture.