To the Board of Trustees and Administration of SFAI:

The faculty, students, staff and alumni have been dismayed to hear of the board making critical decisions about the future of the school during closed meetings, without enlisting the community, and apparently without due diligence.

SFAI is eligible to receive millions of dollars in assistance from the federal government’s CARES act, COVID-19 response. Yet decisions about the future of the school -- including layoffs and potential closure -- are set to take place without exhaustive efforts to receive this assistance. Furthermore, even after continued pleas, communication from the board remains inadequate.


In order to establish trust, and ensure an inclusive process, we demand the following:

𝟭. 𝗡𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. ALL board deliberations must be open and accessible to all school constituents, regardless of attendees’ voting privileges. (NOTE: Section 8.07 of the Trustees bylaws provides language on making necessary amendments).  

𝟮. 𝗡𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀 of any staff or faculty, including adjuncts, shall take place until such time as all available federal, state, and local aid has been thoroughly and exhaustively sought, and these efforts have been transparently communicated to the school. 


𝟯. 𝗡𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 shall take place without the full consultation of all stakeholders, and again without fully seeking all available aid. We expect the board to provide full accounting and reporting of efforts to receive federal money to the school community and/or our representatives.


We are here to help SFAI and the community, and we need to prevent the repetition of past mistakes. Should the board fail to agree to these crucial needs for accountability and community inclusion, we will assume the board believes itself fit to continue running the school in much the same manner that got us into this situation.


NOTE: Things are fast-moving. We have reached over 1600(!) signatures so far. Thank you! If you sign, we'll assume you're okay with us listing you as a supporter. If not, let us know in the comments field below. Thanks!

ALSO, please spread the word! If you support SFAI, even if you're not currently affiliated with the school, you're encouraged to sign!