Denied Emerita, Reid Named "Honorary Alum" at New College

""I was honored when my colleagues nominated me for emerita status and when the New College Alumni Association adopted me as one of their own, in recognition of my long teaching career and my vocal advocacy for the College, its academic program, and for the position of gender studies in the liberal arts," Reid said in a statement to Inside Higher Ed. "New College students have made their mark because they are fiercely independent and courageous learners. I'll try to live up to their standards. To the Novo community: Honor & Respect.""

"The honorary designation, rarely bestowed, gives Reid the same "rights and privileges" as other New College alumni, including access to alumni events, according to the alumni association's motion. Reid retired in August after teaching at New College for more than 30 years and now serves as interim director of PEN America's Freedom to Learn program. Reid was also the founder of the now-defunct gender studies program at New College, which the then-newly appointed conservative board eliminated in 2023."

Amy Reid, a former professor of French at New College of Florida, was granted "honorary alumni" status by the New College Alumni Association Board of Directors in a unanimous vote nearly three weeks after she was denied emerita status by President Richard Corcoran. The honorary designation gives Reid the same "rights and privileges" as other alumni, including access to alumni events. Reid retired after more than 30 years of teaching and now serves as interim director of PEN America's Freedom to Learn program. Reid founded the gender studies program that a newly appointed conservative board eliminated in 2023. Corcoran denied emerita status despite strong recommendations because of Reid's outspoken faculty advocacy and criticism of conservative leadership.

Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs