New College Foundation restructure draws legal threat from alumni association

The New College Foundation is advancing a restructuring of the college’s alumni organization that would require the organization to support the direction established by New College leadership, drawing opposition from alumni representatives who are considering legal action.

The Foundation’s Governance Committee has unanimously recommended amending its governing documents to replace the existing Alumni Committee with an Alumni Engagement Committee, according to information provided to Florida Politics. The Foundation Board is expected to consider the proposal July 29.

“The change reflects a broader mission, one that emphasizes meaningful alumni participation, lifelong learning, student engagement, philanthropy, and community building, while strengthening coordination between alumni leaders and Foundation staff in support of the College’s mission,” New College spokesperson Jamie Miller said.

Vice President of Advancement David Rancourt elaborated on that vision, describing the proposal as a way to create a broader and more coordinated alumni engagement program.

“New College has always inspired graduates who think independently, lead thoughtfully, and remain deeply connected to the institution that shaped them. Our opportunity now is to build an alumni engagement program that reflects those same values,” Rancourt said.

He said the new committee would create more opportunities for alumni to mentor students, participate in intellectual programming, strengthen professional networks and support the college through philanthropy.

“By working together under the Foundation, we can create an alumni community that not only celebrates the College’s history but also plays an active role in its future,” he said.

Leaders of the existing New College Alumni Association, however, say the proposal would “dissolve and reconstitute” the existing organization.

Under a proposed bylaws amendment, the new Alumni Engagement Committee would “exclusively support and enhance” the mission of New College as determined by the college’s Board of Trustees and be tasked with involving alumni, students and parents in ways “consistent with the College and Foundation’s direction.” 

Current Alumni Association leadership contends the changes would reduce the alumni organization’s independence and limit its ability to criticize the Foundation, trustees or college administration.

Association Chair Chris Van Dyk told Florida Politics that the Alumni Association met Wednesday and unanimously voted to oppose the proposal, with all eight board members in attendance supporting the motion. Four former association Presidents who attended also supported the opposition but could not vote.

Van Dyk contends the Foundation cannot unilaterally eliminate the association under a 2003 affiliation agreement. He said the association transferred approximately $300,000 to the Foundation under that agreement and could seek its return or other damages if the restructuring proceeds.

Rather than authorize immediate legal action, the board decided to require Van Dyk to seek approval from the Alumni Association’s Executive Committee before moving forward on the organization’s behalf.

“Our preference is to constructively engage with the Foundation, make things better, make things work better,” Van Dyk said.

The proposal leaves the association’s future leadership and independence up in the air a week ahead of the Foundation Board’s July 29 meeting.