CLAREMONT, Calif. ― The dean of students at a small Southern California college resigned Thursday after protests linked to racial concerns on campus.
Mary Spellman, who held the position at Claremont McKenna College since 2010, announced her resignation in an email to students.
“I believe it is the best way to gain closure of a controversy that has divided the student body,” she wrote.
“I hope this will help enable a truly thoughtful, civil and productive discussion about the very real issues of diversity and inclusion facing Claremont McKenna, higher education and other institutions across our society,” Spellman added.
Student protesters had demanded her resignation amid complaints that her office wasn’t doing enough to deal with the concerns of students of color and others who felt marginalized.
Last month, Spellman responded to a college newspaper piece by a Latina student discussing her concerns by saying that Spellman would work to help students who “don’t fit our CMC mold.”
“This was her decision. She did not consult with anyone in the administration before making her decision,” college spokesman Max Benavidez said.
