Lisa Jong-Soon Goodlin -- Jeffrey Hoone -- Matthew Snyder

To Whom It May Concern:

I've copied below an email from Jeff Hoone regarding the "Come On" show. It
was written the day before the show opened in August, and it indirectly addresses the conjecture that Jeff fired Astria because of the subject matter of the show.

I think it's important to post this email because it shows that when some administrators objected to the exhibit, Jeff defended it. The obvious conclusion is that he did not fire Astria because of "Come On."

Like many other people involved in this discussion, I wish that better explanations were given for the changes at the gallery. Nonetheless, and tempting though it may be, blind speculation does not necessarily lead to the truth.

Lisa Jong-Soon Goodlin


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From: Jeffrey Joseph Hoone
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:08 PM
To: Matthew R Snyder
Cc: Elaine M.S. Quick; Barry L Wells; Laura M Madelone; Anastasia Lynne
Urtz; Colleen O'Connor Bench; Thomas J Walsh; Domenic Iacono; Eric F
Spina
Subject: RE: "Come On" information for new students


Dear Colleagues,


I would like to respond to the email I recently received from Matthew Snyder
concerning the exhibition that opens at the Warehouse Gallery this week titled Come On: Desire Under the Female Gaze.

I find it troubling that certain conclusions were made about the exhibition
based solely on the exhibition announcement without considering the context
of the exhibition or the timely and important issues raised by the artists
in the exhibition. The exhibition includes work by three women artists in
their 20s and 30s who are inheritors of second-wave feminism whose work responds to our daily barrage of images that objectify young girls and women in the media. This is an issue that is very relevant to our student population and is consistent with our mission as an institution that embraces and encourages diversity in all its forms.

It was stated in the email that concerns about the exhibition ³is not with the art's appearance or content; rather, it is a question of timing, given that these potentially controversial materials will be juxtaposed with the development and student-welcoming events taking place in the Warehouse over the next few weeks.² I find this rationale odd to say the least, and again given the context of the exhibition it could certainly be part of ³student development² that places Syracuse University as a place that encourages the open and candid discussion of issues, ideas, and current events. The exhibition raises many questions of interest across many programs at the University including the LGBT Center within the Division of Student Affairs whose mission is ³To address current and pressing concerns of our day
related to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.²

Finally, while it is not included in the email from Matt Snyder, I understand that there are plans to have counselors available at the Warehouse this Saturday in case students who view the exhibition may be so inclined to seek our their comfort. I find it beyond comprehension to think that students who grew up with full access to the graphic realities of the Internet, MTV, and ³Girls Gone Wild² videos would be so affected by an exhibition of artistic renderings that they would need the services of
counselors.

The mission of the Warehouse Gallery is to exhibit the work of contemporary artists whose work engages the audience in the important issues of our life and times. This exhibition and all the exhibitions in the Gallery are presented in a professional manner and provide contextual materials to aid the audience in a constructive process of engagement with the work in an educational and instructive manner. Contemporary artists will from time to time engage us with challenging work and ask difficult questions. I believe we are best served by engaging them in a dialogue rather than over reacting, ignoring or silencing their voice.


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From: Matthew R Snyder
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:28 AM
To: Jeffrey Joseph Hoone
Cc: Elaine M.S. Quick; Barry L Wells; Laura M Madelone; Anastasia Lynne
Urtz; Colleen O'Connor Bench
Subject: "Come On" information for new students

Jeff:
I write to update you on a discussion of issues related to the Warehouse
Gallery's next exhibit, "Come On."


Late last week, members of the Chancellor's Cabinet and Public Affairs office raised questions about the exhibit. Their concern is not with the art's appearance or content; rather, it is a question of timing, given that these potentially controversial materials will be juxtaposed with the development and student-welcoming events taking place in the Warehouse over the next few weeks.

I understand that Tom Walsh, Eric Spina, Barry Wells, and Kevin Quinn have been discussing the issue at the Chancellor's request. As they are currently at the Chancellor's Administrative Conference at Minnowbrook, I have been asked to convey the following decisions to you:

-- The exhibit is to continue as planned, with the addition of a sign outside the gallery space indicating that the content is for mature audiences. Frank Olive, WG assistant director, has provided me with a very helpful briefing document on the exhibit; this has been shared with the Parents Office, Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs, and other administrative offices that may encounter students' or parents' questionsabout Come On during Syracuse Welcome.

-- The marketing materials for the exhibit that were to be placed in the ReadySet (new student welcome materials) will not be included after all. I am working with Bulk to arrange return of the materials to Elaine. If you would like to provide alternative materials--perhaps a general marketing piece/introduction to the Gallery--I would be happy to work with Elaine or someone else to include something in the ReadySet. The final package of the ReadySet is being assembled today and tomorrow, so we would need to move quickly.

Please let me know if you have any questions,
--Matt
********************************************************
Matthew R. Snyder
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Syracuse University Division of Student Affairs
Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
518 Crouse-Hinds Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244