In Tuesday’s (11/7) Cleveland Plain Dealer, Joey Morona reports that in May at the Cleveland Institute of Music, concerns were raised “over the administration’s response to allegations of sexual harassment by principal conductor Carlos Kalmar. Since then, Kalmar was cleared of Title IX violations by an internal investigation only to be put on a leave of absence after a protest by CIM orchestra members at the first rehearsal of the new academic year demonstrated his presence could be untenable heading into the 2023-24 concert season. The controversy has become a flashpoint for students concerned about the leadership at the higher education institution. Two hundred students—roughly 60 percent of CIM’s enrollment of 350—recently signed a petition calling for the resignations of President and CEO Paul Hogle and Board Chair Dr. Susan Rothmann…. The letter accuses Hogle and Rothmann of not being transparent or honest with the CIM community, and, at times using ‘threatening, oppressive, and patronizing’ language in communications with students and faculty.’… CIM leaders have not publicly responded to the letter, and a spokesperson didn’t respond to a request by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer for comment.”
