Dear Toni,

I am starting to actually believe you --- and beginning to doubt the credibility of your staff regarding the decision to oust John.

I am disappointed in knowing that you have the power to change such decisions and are accountable to no other person. Perhaps the chain of command is flawed since the bylaws of the college have been rewritten.

The intergrity of the institution in now in question. Cabrini people will not quit until the issue is resolved. By the way, your letter (the one sent to everyone else) mentions how Cabrini has won a few state titles. If you know or care to know about the athletics of your own institution; Cabrini has never won a state title.

Also, your letter fails to mention how or why the basketball team is not aligned to the athletic department. I believe it is the other way around.... this is IGNORANCE OR DENIAL on someone's part and someone is perhaps not in touch with the college. If you know anything about the history of the college you would feel the same way.

This is not an "Ivy league" school--- if one thinks the college will grow through a strategy of cutting financial aid packages and taking cash customers and only high quality students one is not a Cabrinian. I personally have convinced 7-10 students to attend Cabrini or whatever it is now. They all have atttended and graduated. I brought 3 new people to the campus this fall and 2 this winter and they were not athletes but I took them to a basketball game and they loved the atmosphere. One was just accepted and plays 2 sports--yes Cabrini has women's lacrosse and she is excited about the SET building. Another neighbor of mine was just accepted to Cabrini and is so excited after I told her how beautiful the campus was and how successful the athletics program continues to be. I always spoke positive of the sacred ground of the campus. A co-workers daughter asked me about the college and I spoke so highly of it and told her what Cabrini is all about. She is ready to attend and has been accepted. Alvernia is offering her more money though and she is on the fence. To this end, how do Iook a new student in the eye from my point of view and tell he or she how wonderful the place is when he or she asks me "what is going on up there?" I ask what do you mean and they say; "Why are they getting rid of John Dzik? He is a great person my dad knows him and my teacher from high school knows him. He is the best coach on the East Coast and is a good friend"

How do I reply?

THIS DECISION IS A TRAGEDY OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS WHICH WILL HURT THE LONGEVITY OF THE COLLEGE. LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY TRENDS OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION. STUDENTS WILL BE IN DEBT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES TO ATTEND CABRINI AND GET A QUALITY EDUCATION BUT IS IT FROM THE HEART? WHY WOULD SOMEONE GO TO CABRINI WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY COLLEGES IN THIS AREA? ARE YOU MARKETING TOWARD NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND TO FORGETTING THE LOCALS WHO WORK FOR EVERY PENNY ALL THEIR LIVES TO GO TO SCHOOL? QUALITY AND NOT QUANTITY?

Who are these college officials? The impressive appointees on the board pictured on the website?

THE REAL CABRINI COLLEGE HAS BEEN SOLD OUT......... THIS DOES NOT STOP AT JOHN....

Payscales of professors are another issue I am sure... But I must ask how could someone in a powerful position who mentions his or her own accomplishments in virtually all of the literature mailed out from the college be so cold? Does John not deserve an explanation at least? As a caring Cabrini person does he not deserve some type of reward or financial package for his hard work and loyalty?

A severence package ?????

I know he did not even care about a paycheck because he hardly was compensated-- he was a passionate volunteer who cared more about students and their lives not dollars and cents. He built the college ! ! ! Is this the reason he is being let go? Are his type of recruits not suitable for the target market of the college.

I am sure time will heal the wounds for you and your staff but never for a Cabrini graduate...... I CANNOT BELIEVE I PAID THIS INSTITUTION FOR AN EDUCATION OF THE HEART.

PLEASE RESOLVE THE SITUATION AND COME OUT TO THE ALUMNI GAME--- MAKE A STATEMENT AND BE "BRAVE AND ACCOUNTABLE" THE MAN DESERVES IT AND THE TRUE CABRINI COLLEGE DESERVES IT.

I beg of you PLEASE ! ! ! ! ! Students on campus are coming up to me and I am being asked by neighbors about the situation..... I have been getting more e-mails than you would ever believe...... DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW VALUABLE THIS MAN IS AND WHAT HE MEANS TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION ?? HE WANTS TO DO HIS JOB AND IF OTHER WOULD LEAVE HIM DO IT WITHIN PARAMETERS ALL OF US WOULD BE PROUD AGAIN.

Do all of us a favor and disclose the truth about why John was not resigned. Perhaps your staff is the real reason. But again, I must question why you did not step in and assess the situation and do what is in the best interest of the college. I am truly ashamed and embarrassed. I feel like a family member has passed on and I will not support Cabrini in anyway.

Optimistically,

Paul Engel