New London ― Connecticut College faculty and staff gathered outside Fanning Hall Wednesday to demonstrate their solidarity with student protesters.

Students who have been locked inside Fanning, an administration building that houses the president’s office, poked their heads out of windows to watch the gathering of approximately 250 faculty, staff members and students.

About 30 students had locked themselves within Fanning Hall, an administration building near the Route 32 entrance of campus, Sunday evening protesting the former Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion Rodmon King's resignation.

Connecticut College faculty, staff and students protested Wednesday, March 1, 2023, outside Fanning Hall in support of the students occupying the building on campus in New London. (Dana Jensen/The Day) pic.twitter.com/rPk5f7HWwV

— Dana Jensen (@DMJ_photog) March 1, 2023

The faculty and staff demonstrators said they were united with the students’ calls for structural change within the college leadership and attention to institutional equity and inclusion.

“Faculty have had enough. We’re tired. We’ve been asked to do more with less,” said Professor of History Sheetal Chhabria, who helped organize the event.

Some departments have experienced staffing shortages over the past two years.

Associate Professor of Education Isaac Gottesman joined the college this year and is teaching a course on student activism.

“I’m glad I get to teach the class at this moment. This is my first year here at Connecticut College. It’s powerful to see how much unity there is amongst faculty, staff, and students,” he said.

The students have a list of demands that includes the resignation of President Katherine Bergeron, additional funding for the equity and inclusion division, and a transparent search for the next college president.

Bergeron sent out an email to students, staff, and faculty Wednesday morning, stating that she had “been reflecting deeply on our current moment” in regard to “the College’s and my own commitment to equity, inclusion, and full participation” and the “allegations about the culture of my senior administrative team.”

Bergeron wrote that she and the Board of Trustees are “prepared to make significant additional investments in our DIEI division, programs, and practices.” She did not comment on whether she intends to resign.

Rachel Boggia, associate professor of dance, said now is the time for Bergeron to make real change happen, specifically within Institutional Equity and Inclusion programs.

“She has an opportunity to make changes by investing clearly and specifically in DIEI.” Boggia said, adding that Bergeron’s letter represents “the success of the students, but is certainly not the end.”

Khadedra Neals, a junior and student leader in the protest efforts said Bergeron’s Wednesday morning email acknowledged structural problems, but is not enough.

“It’s been nine years,” referring to Bergeron’s term as president of the college. “We have to understand that is a process and keep the momentum up if we want change.”

King stepped down in early February due to a planned college fundraiser at the Everglades Club in Palm Beach, Fla., which he said had a reputation as anti-Black and antisemitic. King later complained about Bergeron’s “bullying behaviors” in a letter to the college’s Board of Trustees.

King started a new position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, serving as the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging earlier this week.

Since Monday, some classes at Conn have been held online or canceled, while others continue to be held as normal.

“We’re missing our lessons to teach you,” a sign held by a student protester read.

t.wright@theday.com

Editor’s Note: This version corrects the status of classes at Connecticut College since the students occupied Fanning Hall.