Where in the World Is Kate Morris?
The Absense of SLUs President Is More Noticeable Than Ever
St. Lawrence University is a small school that prides itself on fostering a close-knit, supportive community. Given its size, it’s expected that students should be able to easily connect with their president—someone who embodies the school’s values and is actively involved in campus life. Yet, for many students, Kate Morris, our current president, has been largely invisible during her time in office. Outside of some photo opportunities and handing out cookies to students during exam week, many of us rarely see her on campus.
When reflecting on the leadership of our former president, William Fox, those here during his time recall a starkly different experience. I was not here during his tenure, but many alumni I spoke to said he was a face all students knew. He was a regular presence at Dana Dining Center, engaging with students in informal settings, often sitting down for meals and discussing important issues. He held weekly open audiences, giving students the chance to discuss their concerns with him directly. His involvement felt personal and genuine—it was clear that he invested in the student body and its needs. Under his leadership, the president wasn’t just a figurehead; he was an active participant in campus life.
In contrast, Kate Morris seems to be a rare sight on campus. I understand that being president comes with a full schedule, including responsibilities like fundraising, managing the budget and navigating the complex issues a university faces. However, there is no way that these tasks take up every waking hour of her day. Presidents of much larger universities find ways to engage with students on a personal level. They run with students, eat meals with them and make themselves accessible through regular events or social media. These efforts are essential to creating community and trust between students and leadership. Yet, Morris’s visibility has been minimal at SLU.
Yes, Morris lives on campus and occasionally has dinner with a small group of students. But these interactions are few and far between, leaving many of us wondering where our president is and why we do not see her more often. A few 10-minute-long appointments once a month don’t qualify as transparency or meaningful engagement. In a small community like SLU, we deserve more than this. We need a president who makes time to engage with us—not just at formal events or in brief, scheduled meetings.
As a SLU student says anonymously, “I rarely see her out, and when I do, she isn’t really talking to anyone. She doesn’t… have a [super] presence on campus; I see my first-semester lab professor more than her.”
To make matters worse, the lack of transparency and presence is even more concerning when we look at the administration’s response to major controversies. One of the most significant events during Kate Morris’s presidency was the lawsuit filed against SLU in 2023. The lawsuit, which involved serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against a faculty member, raised questions about the university’s handling of such cases. Instead of seeing strong leadership from the president in addressing these concerns, the St. Lawrence community received a vague email statement. Morris’s letter outlined future plans for developing a Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Strategic Plan. However, it failed to offer concrete answers or provide any real sense of accountability. For many students, this lack of a decisive, visible response to such a critical issue left us feeling unsupported and disillusioned with her leadership.
When students demand more transparency, a president’s lack of visible action sends the wrong message especially in times of crisis. It makes students question whether their concerns are being taken seriously. In this case, Morris’s failure to offer an immediate and decisive response to the lawsuit—aside from sending a general email outlining future plans—did little to reassure students that their safety and well-being were her top priority. Inadequate responses to controversies and crises are a serious issue in leadership, and they can cause deep divisions between the administration and the student body.
Today, as we face a climate where anti-DEI and anti-education executive orders are posing a serious threat to student organizations, programs, and the broader community at SLU, we have heard nothing from Morris or the administration. While many of these executive orders are currently being challenged in federal courts, the silence from Vilas is louder than ever. Even after attending a conference of Liberal Arts University presidents in Washington D.C., there has been no response, no reassurance, and no sign of leadership in addressing these critical issues.
This lack of communication speaks volumes about the priorities of the administration, which seems more interested in maintaining a façade of neutrality than taking a strong stand for the values that should define our university. The absence of clear action or even dialogue leaves students, faculty, and staff feeling abandoned and vulnerable in the face of policies that directly threaten our academic freedom, inclusivity, and the integrity of our programs. If SLU is truly committed to the mission of higher education and to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is high time that our leadership steps up and publicly defends those values, both in policy and in practice. Our community deserves more than silence and ambiguity—especially at a time like this.
Despite the significant challenges Morris has faced—taking on the presidency during a time of financial strain and navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic—it’s clear that these circumstances have been far from easy. Leading a university through such challenges requires immense focus and effort, and I don’t want to undermine her work behind the scenes. However, leadership also involves staying connected with the community you serve. As a different friend of mine said, “I believe she’s doing a decent job overall. We have the chance to see her twice a year at the president’s events through the parents’ committee, and honestly, she’s a lovely person. However, it feels like she may be putting her focus on some of the less important areas.”
At St. Lawrence, where we pride ourselves on being a close-knit and supportive campus, students greatly benefit from a leader who is actively present and engaged. It’s not about expecting perfection but feeling that our leader is a part of the day-to-day life of the university, building connections and fostering relationships. In a community like ours, having that vital presence can make all the difference.
SLU deserves a president who is not just a name on an email or a face at a formal event. We need someone who eats in Dana, attends student events and listens to the student body’s concerns. We deserve a leader who fosters transparency, shows up during times of crisis and makes an effort to be visible and engaged on campus.
While Kate Morris’s leadership has faced significant challenges, there have been times when her presence and engagement could have been more noticeable, especially in moments that mattered most. The St. Lawrence community values strong connections, and many students feel her visibility on campus is limited. Leadership is not just about managing from behind the scenes; it is about being present and engaged with the people you lead. The St. Lawrence community deserves a more visible and active president in day-to-day campus life. There is still an opportunity for Kate Morris to step out of the background and show that she truly cares about the students and their concerns.