Art Center chief to leave
By Joe Piasecki 06/26/2008
Following weeks of public criticism from a number of Art Center College of Design students that the school is focusing too much on expanding its campus at the expense of educational concerns, Art Center’s Board of Directors has announced that it will not extend its contract with college President Richard Koshalek when it expires next year.
Controversy fueled by comments on Web sites and Internet petitions has surrounded plans spearheaded by Koshalek to construct a $50-million library and educational building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.
A statement by Art Center Board President and former LA Times Publisher John Puerner about Koshalek and the school’s priorities was posted Tuesday to a section of the school’s Web site recently launched to answer student questions.
Puerner credited Koshalek with expanding the college’s scholarship endowment but also addressed student concerns, writing that the board supports the Gehry building in concept but has not approved its construction.
Koshalek said he encouraged student debate but was hurt by personal attacks calling for his ouster. In a statement on the site he pledged “unwavering support for Art Center” while looking forward to new opportunities — including a role in birthing a new art and design college in Asia that will feature a “digital library and virtual design museum.”
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