NORTHAMPTON — Following Smith College’s decision last month to transition its varsity equestrian team into a club sport, an alunae-driven effort to meet in person with decision-makers has so far proven unsuccessful.
Save Smith Equestrian, a group founded to oppose the college’s controversial decision to reconfigure the program and also shut down operations at the Smith College Equestrian Center, drafted a letter to the Smith’s Board of Trustees last week that outlined the group’s position and requested a meeting.
In a written response to the group, which was obtained by the Gazette, Board Chairwoman Deborah Duncan said “there are no plans to reopen the decision. Therefore, it would not be respectful of your time to schedule a meeting with members of the board of trustees.”
A spokesperson for the college confirmed the email’s authenticity on Tuesday.
Jess Peláez, a spokeswoman for Save Smith Equestrian, said Tuesday that the group is planning a response to the board and a “more aggressive” campaign to continue rallying support, including a more robust social media presence.
Save Smith Equestrian also circulated an online petition — which ultimately drew 1,420 signatures — that called for the reinstatement of the equestrian program to its varsity status and that students be permitted to use the Smith College Equestrian Center beyond fall 2017.
College officials have said the move from varsity to club status will allow the college to “focus its athletic resources on NCAA varsity sports,” according to a news release from the college.
Smith College would join the ranks of Amherst College, Williams College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, all of which offer equestrian as a club sport.
Duncan did not return a call for comment on Tuesday.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.