New London — Hundreds of Connecticut College students gathered Wednesday night to demand President Katherine Bergeron’s resignation, following the departure of former dean of institutional equity and inclusion, Rodmon King.

Students initially planned to hold the meeting at the college’s Unity House, but the venue was packed and the location was moved from Unity House to the Hillel House, a larger building on the institution’s north campus.

“Do you need another speaker?” one student shouted, carrying the audio device on his shoulder to ensure that every student present could hear.

King on Tuesday told student leaders he was resigning due to a planned college fundraiser at the exclusive Everglades Club in Palm Beach, Fla., which he said has a reputation as anti-Black and antisemitic. Students reported that King decided to resign after being asked to make a statement justifying the event.

The fundraiser was canceled, and Bergeron on Wednesday issued a letter to the school community with an apology and a promise to do better in the future “to ensure that all our decisions are consistent with our goals and ideals.”

Bergeron on Thursday declined to be interviewed. King has not responded to calls for comment.

About 500 students crowded into Hillel House Wednesday, with others standing outside.

“We have $80,000 worth of opinions,” sophomore Niamani David said, referencing the college’s $82,000 annual tuition for the 2022-2023 school year.

The meeting began with Khadedra Neals, co-president of the Black Student Union, describing the event at the Everglades Club.

“The actions that President Bergeron did was unacceptable,” she said.

In addition to calling for Bergeron’s resignation, the students’ demands ranged from more funding for affinity groups and Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity programming, to renovating and expanding the Unity House and other spaces that serve underrepresented populations at the college.

There are 1,948 students at the college and 179 full-time and 64 part-time faculty members.

According to the the college, its fall 2022 student population was 67% white, 12% Hispanic, 4% Black, 3% Asian, and 8% international students. Among faculty, the population is 72% white, 10% Asian, 6% Hispanic, and 4% Black.

“Our first demand is Katherine Bergeron’s resignation,” said Shamar Rule, co-president of the Black Student Union, receiving applause from the crowd.

“If she chooses not to resign, that is when we will start our takeovers. We will share our petition that calls for the board of trustees to remove her position,” he added.

The college’s Center for the Critical Study of Race and Ethnicity staff sent out an email to faculty Thursday afternoon regarding King’s resignation. Professors Cherise Harris and Jennifer Domino Rudolph expressed their disapproval and anger with the college administration in a joint statement.

“Dean King’s resignation follows a long line of administrators, staff, and faculty of color who have departed the College under circumstances that raise serious questions. As such, we are not at all surprised by his resignation, but remain angry about the College’s continued failure to live up to its stated goals of equity and full participation,” they said.

Previously, John McKnight served as dean of institutional equity and inclusion before resigning in 2021.

Connecticut College campus security officers sat outside of the event in patrol vehicles.

Ashley Cheeks, a first-year student, said now is a good time for unity.

“We deserve better,” Cheeks said. “Educate, spread the word, and keep fighting. She is not going to get away with this.”

Editor’s note: This version adds the college and faculty enrollment numbers.