SUNY Adirondack Students Organize Petition Against Sex Offender Enrolled in Classes

Students at SUNY Adirondack have organized a petition against a registered sex offender currently enrolled in classes at the college.

The controversy began on Sept. 8 when the college sent out a mass email alerting all students that a level three registered sex offender would be attending in-person classes at the college this semester. After the email went out, second-year student Destiny Rose began the petition, which has been signed by 975 people as of Tuesday morning. 

The petition requests that Timothy Philmon, 50, of Glens Falls, be removed from in-person classes, and enrolled in fully virtual classes instead. The petition states, “It is of the opinion of many students that having Timothy Philmon, a level three registered sex offender, on a campus with minors and a daycare, is unethical and unsafe.”

College president Kristine Duffy acknowledged the petition, but said it would be illegal for the college to satisfy this demand. According to college administration, registered sex offenders do have protected rights to pursue an education under the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, provided that they notify authorities, as Philmon reportedly did.

According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Philmon was first convicted of second-degree sodomy in 1997. He had reportedly given marijuana to multiple boys aged 12 to 15 in exchange for sexual favors. 

He was first released on parole in March of 2008, but four months later was charged again with exposing himself to a 15-year-old co-worker. On this charge he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child. As this was in violation of his parole, he was returned to state prison to serve the remainder of his initial sentence.