A 30-year New College professor and vocal critic of the school’s 2023 conservative restructuring was denied emeritus status, an honorary title typically awarded to retiring faculty.
She and others call it retaliation from the school’s president and Gov. DeSantis ally, Richard Corcoran.
Amy Reid said the status of emeritus carries not only material benefits, such as free parking and extra office space, but also symbolic weight.
“It’s a way that your colleagues acknowledge the fact that you’ve worked hard and contributed to an institution as a teacher, as a scholar, as a member of the community,” Reid told WMNF.
Reid was hesitant when a colleague said they were nominating her for emeritus status.
She was a vocal critic of President Corcoran’s conservative takeover of the school while serving on the school’s Board of Trustees, even calling it an “assault on American democracy.”
But Reid decided to let the nomination play out – saying denials are rare.
So she was shocked when Corcoran denied her emeritus status.
In an email, Corcoran said he recognizes her contributions, but labelled her a leading voice for “hyperbolic alarmism and needless obstruction.”
Ben Brown, former New College Alumni Chair, said Reid won respect from many alumni for her views during her time on the board of trustees.
“And to punish or retaliate against someone for that is just kind of thumbing your nose at the idea that you share the governance of the college with the faculty,” Brown told WMNF.
Corcoran also mentions that Reid opposed his “mandate for change” while serving on the school’s Board of Trustees.
“He is punishing me for my having done my job, for my having represented my colleagues and our students on the board of trustees. And that to me is stunning.” Reid said.
“My nomination was approved by the division. It was approved by the provost of the college and overturned by the president because, as he said, I opposed his mandate. Right. It’s not supposed to be personal in that way. And I’m very concerned about what that says, the message that it sends to the New College community.” Reid said.
When asked for further comment, a New College spokesperson told WMNF Corcoran’s email speaks for itself.
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This article appears in Oct. 23 – 29, 2025.