August 24, 2016
Dear members of the Class of 1992,
Let me start by saying thank you, on behalf of all Choate Rosemary Hall trustees, for your letter and
your thoughtful feedback. We truly appreciate the heartfelt support that you've expressed for
Cheyenne, as well as your thorough and comprehensive letter to the School.
Our priority, right now, is Cheyenne. Out of respect for her privacy, all that is appropriate for me to
say is that we are working very closely with Cheyenne’s counsel. Alex Curtis, trustee Jim Lebovitz,
and I met with him at his office very recently and we are in regular contact with him.
The entire Board of Trustees has been fully informed about this situation and every single board
member is dismayed by what we’ve come to learn over the past several weeks about one in our own
community having been so badly affected. We want you to know that the School had already been
actively reviewing and developing many of the actions that you requested. We retained outside
counsel who has significant experience regarding this topic, and the insight they have brought to the
table has already moved us forward in a short period of time. Alex Curtis and his team, together with
the trustees, are currently in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to address any incidents
of possible abuse at our School and to ensure the ongoing safety of our students. Given the
importance of these matters, we are absolutely committed to thoroughness and compassion as we
develop the School’s plan.
As we move forward, we will build on important work we’ve already undertaken over the last three
years with the Board, the administration, faculty, and students on the topic of healthy boundaries in
both student-student and adult-student relationships, reaffirming a zero tolerance policy for
improper conduct by faculty members. This ongoing work has involved significant education and
training and reflects the priorities articulated in the School’s 2013 Strategic Plan, which in the very
first section on “Cohesion and Culture” prioritizes “a culture defined by integrity, honor, ethical
behavior, and good decision-making.”
Although it is not the School’s typical practice to respond to Facebook posts, we thought it was
important to do so this time out of great respect for your class and all the alums who signed the
letter, and because of the seriousness of this matter. We will come back to you, and the broader
Choate community, in October, at which time the School will describe its comprehensive plan and
commitments. We ask that you please be patient with us as we take the necessary time to get this
right and address the many issues presented.
We understand and have great respect for your interest and your concern. There is no higher priority
at the School right now. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Michael J. Carr ’76
Chair, Board of Trustees