Reply from Laura Collela to Monk: all this upheaval to sell off the most desirable properties on campus for a new spa?
February 15, 2023
Dear Matt,
Do I understand correctly that so far the plan for major upheaval that you, senior staff and the VCFA Board of Trustees made in private and announced last June, which included mentions of prioritizing affordable housing when spoken of to faculty, has so far culminated in the the most desirable properties on campus to keep being sold off for a new spa?
The link to 150 Main Street in your email doesn't work, and an online search reveals no links or information for this group. According to an article in yesterday's VTDigger, Leslie wrote, "After a comprehensive and careful review of potential buyers, we determined that 150 Main Street, a collective dedicated to wellness, education, and the performing arts, shares that commitment." What is the 150 Main Street collective's history, and can you share some evidence of their commitment to community accessibility to wellness and to the performing arts? Because later in the article, it says that the principal in 150 Main Street, Casey Ellison, is a naturopathic doctor who bought 18 acres of land from VCFA in 2019 to build a bathhouse, but that didn't come to pass. Her website is extremely vague about what exactly the group she works with offers to the community. Spas are expensive to build and maintain, and are usually accessible to community members who have substantial spending money. Is that what they mean by a "community space"?
The beautiful Louise Crowley Center, finished just in 2016, was supposed to be an ongoing faculty and alumni gathering space, and served that function well. Why is it the first to go? The library is also a majestic and historic building with intrinsic value to the community, and senior staff told faculty that you would prioritize holding on to it. Why is it the first to go? In addition to answers to all of the questions I've asked above, I'd like to know whether it is too late to reverse this - not whether it's too late because a decision has been made, but whether there is any way out of the signed agreement you mentioned.
Thank you,
Laura
Laura Collela is Founding Faculty of VCFA’s MFA in Film Program
This letter is Laura’s response to Matt Monk’s email to faculty