Antioch University Rejects $14.5 million and the Future of Antioch College

On April 28th, the Antioch University Board of Trustees made a historic decision. A majority of the Board voted to approve an offer by the ACCC to replace a number of Board members with people distinguished in higher education, journalism, and business. All were Antioch College grads, and most had served previously on the Antioch University Board of Trustees. They would bring with them their personal financial resources, exemplified by a $14.5 million gift to the University/College, and their commitment to correct the existing Board’s fundraising failures.

This renewed Board was ready to keep Antioch College open. After 9 months with the historic alma mater’s head on the block, the College would be saved. After every other vote since June, Board Chair Art Zucker had asked for everyone to endorse the decision so the Board could speak with one voice. Not this time.

After the April 28th vote both parties negotiated a few minor changes to the agreement. The negotiating teams agreed to change 2 (out of a total of 20) trustee memberships on the newly constituted Board. Longtime University/College supporter Lillian Pierson Lovelace was added to the new Board. Another Board position was to be temporarily filled for a 6 week period until the permanent Trustee was available. These changes could have been approved by a simple email; instead Zucker demanded a formal meeting and another vote.

Chancellor Toni Murdock used the 10-day window between April 28 and May 8 to produce a series of documents to undermine the original agreement. A new set of attacks on the proposal to reconstitute the Board and save the College was emailed to trustees on May 8. A few hours after receiving these documents the Antioch University Board of Trustees met by phone to vote again on what they had already approved. Some of the College’s strongest supporters could not make the call; it was known that at least one supporter was out of the country. Despite its formal decision on April 28 to keep the College open, the Board of Trustees voted again and reversed itself; on May 8 the Board rejected the ACCC plan to save Antioch College.

RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR DOWNLOAD:

1) FINAL PROPOSAL – The ACCC proposal that was accepted and then rejected by Antioch University.

2) ACCREDITATION CONVERSATIONS – Antioch University Chancellor Toni Murdock’s recollection of discussions with the North Central Association and the Ohio Board of Regents.

3) FIDUCIARY DUTIES – Antioch University’s legal reasoning for rejecting the ACCC’s $14.5 million gift.

4) GRANT RESOLUTION – A donor’s decision to withhold funds from Antioch University based on leadership changes and/or institutional performance.

5) ACCC BIOGRAPHIES – Background information on the ACCC.


NEW!

The Big Chiller

Antioch University is threatening to take legal action against the Village of Yellow Springs. Village Manager Eric Swansen has received a request from Antioch University lawyers to produce five years worth of voice mail messages, emails, electronic records, and print materials related to an unresolved dispute between a Yellow Springs resident and Antioch College/University. Antioch University has requested that Swansen provide these items within the next two weeks.

Since 2004, Jerry Papania, a Glen Helen Association member and local resident has complained about the noise level of a “chiller” air-conditioning unit on the Antioch College campus grounds. The University installed the large and noisy chiller adjacent to Mr. Papania’s property without a zoning or building permit. The manufacturer of the chiller reports the device’s noise level is not suitable for residential areas.

In a surrealistic legal maneuver that appears to defy logic, Antioch University has melded the chiller issue with the student, alumni, and community efforts to keep Antioch College open. It appears Antioch University’s threat of legal action against the Village of Yellow Springs is an attempt to chill civic discourse by a Chancellor, Chairman, and University run amok.

It appears Antioch University is initiating a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation against the Village and its residents.

DOWNLOAD & READ: THE BIG CHILLER

Excerpts:

Regardless, your letter and the demands made therein are actions of the Village of Yellow Springs taken “under color of law.” We believe they are unlawful actions for a number of reasons, including the complete lack of due process and compliance with Village ordinances, the imposition of double jeopardy after the Village’s failed attempt to have the University found criminally liable, and the improper and ultra vires motivation of the Village Council. The University will take all necessary legal actions to resist these unlawful actions of the Village.
Antioch University Legal Counsel – page 3

At its next regular meeting on April 7, 2008, the minutes show that Council permitted persons supporting the continued operation of Antioch College to speak… The next item of business at the April 7,2008 meeting was consideration of a motion “that Council write a letter expressing encouragement of the efforts to keep Antioch College alive as a viable College in this town… With regard to the air conditioning unit on the Antioch College campus, the minutes of the April 7, 2008 meeting go on to state… Village Solicitor John Chambers explained that they have been examining the records regarding the chiller and have found that no permit was issued.
Antioch University Legal Counsel – page 2

NEW!

McGregor's VOICE

Charlotte Dungan is the managing editor of Antioch University McGregor’s student newspaper, The McGregor Voice. Since Ms. Dungan began attending McGregor, nearly 40% of the core faculty have been laid off. Ms. Dungan stated that “faculty could be dumped on a whim and they have been. The majority of the faculty that have been laid off were opposed to the move of McGregor to Campus West. The remaining faculty have been afraid to speak out.”

The newspaper was started in the fall of 2006 as an “unofficial student publication.” The first issue of the McGregor Voice reported that 60% of faculty and students opposed the move of McGregor to Campus West.

Antioch University McGregor decided to fund and recognize the McGregor Voice as its official student publication in the winter of 2007. Brooke Bryan is currently the editor of the publication. The McGregor Voice will add an on-line component to its print version at this web site (currently under construction).

Passing the Torch - AIF's Final Report

The Antioch Independence Fund’s 2003 Final Report, “Passing the Torch” illuminates the deep structural problems affecting Antioch University/College. In this essay, authors Katy Jako and Connie Pelekoudas document a series of attempts to reestablish “centrality” and/or “independence” for Antioch College while outlining the systemic flaws in the development of the University/College that ultimately impact renewal efforts and strategic planning at Antioch campuses.

Choosing History – Antioch College's Coretta Scott King Center (CSKC)

The four items in this document are a partial overview of some of the historical choices made in the creation of Antioch College’s Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom. Currently Antioch University plans to close the College and CSKC on June 30, 2008. It appears that the agreement between Mrs. King and Antioch College is structured in such a way that CSKC cannot live without the College, a mutual linkage designed in part by Mrs. King.

new! Stream this document {or download the PDF}

Donor Bill of Rights

donor bill of rights

On November 4, 2007, the Antioch University Board of Trustees amended their University Commitment Acceptance Policies by adding the Donor Bill of Rights. At the Board meeting in which the University Trustees adopted the bill, it was stated, “there’s nothing here we’re not already doing.” Given this statement, it is clear the Donor Bill of Rights extends these Rights to all Donors to Antioch College/University before and after the adoption date of these Rights. If you have donated to Antioch College/University, read the Bill and know your Rights.

Risky Behavior

This March 28 email from Antioch College Professor Robert Devine and March 21 letter from Antioch University Chancellor Toni Murdock provides a “teachable moment” on the topic of risk and well-being.

Antioch's Public Trial

In one week (April 1, 2008) the 1st trial of Antioch College/University will go public. Greene County Magistrate Judge George Reynolds has taken the unusual step of calling for an evidentiary hearing in open court with witnesses on the stand in order to rule (in whole or in part) on the College Faculty’s request for Injunctive Relief against Antioch University. Attached is the Antioch College Faculty’s “Complaint for Specific Performance and Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief.” Other links to the case outside the Antioch Papers website can be found at:
1) Antioch College Faculty
2) Greene County Clerk of Courts

Antioch's Dupont Circle Stand

Antioch College’s DC Alumni wrote this “Open Letter to the Higher Education Community” that was delivered to a phalanx of national higher education associations located at 1 Dupont Circle in Washington DC.

Terror at 25,000 feet

Cruising at an altitude of 25,000 feet towards a 2002 Antioch University Board of Trustee meeting, Chairman-elect Dan Kaplan has an in-flight epiphany – the Board lacks information that would help them to steer the institution and the Executive Committee has possibly usurped the functions of the full Board. Kaplan reports that the Board has not been given information it needs to make “strategic, macro decisions,” a startling admission given the fact the Board has just terminated the College’s Strategic Plan based on the advice of an allegedly small secretive committee of the Board (see article Antioch Confidential ).

AAUP Letters to Antioch University - March 14, 2008 and March 4, 2008

In the March 14 letter from the (AAUP) American Association of University Professors to Antioch University, it appears that the silence of Antioch University Chancellor Murdock, Chairman Zucker, and COO Bloch is leading the Antioch University Administration (Trustees included) toward a potential censure investigation by the AAUP. The March 4 letter from the AAUP marks the beginning of Antioch University Administration’s period of silence.

UE Statement on the Crisis at Antioch College

A statement of solidarity with UE Local 767 and “ Non-Stop Antioch,” and a call for corporate accountability at Antioch University made by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.

Antioch University's recent Power Point deletion of Antioch College

Antioch University’s Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Laurien Alexandre, gave a Power Point presentation titled “The Future of Antioch University: A View from the Academic Side” at the Antioch University Board meeting in Los Angeles on February 22, 2008. Dr. Alexandre’s presentation deletes Antioch College after slide 2 (“The ‘Old’ Transactional University”) although the other University campuses are represented in the evolving University depicted in the subsequent Power Point slides. Why has Antioch College been deleted from “The Future of Antioch University”? Inquiring minds (and long-time College donors) want to know why.

Antioch University Threatens Legal Action Against The Antioch Papers

Antioch University Threatens Legal Action

The Antioch Papers, an investigative journalism and media arts website, has received a chilling threat to its right to free speech from Antioch University. Antioch University has demanded the removal of all (allegedly) confidential and proprietary documents from The Antioch Papers website under the threat of future legal action .

The Antioch Papers staff members Tim Noble and Brian Springer responded to this demand stating, “The Antioch Papers follows the long tradition of First Amendment protected speech established by the Pentagon Papers. Antioch University and its Board of Trustees are public figures involved in a discussion about higher education—public figures constantly mentioned in the national and local press. The public’s right to know supersedes Antioch University’s assertions of private claims and private matters, especially since these materials were not ‘purloined’ as you persistently claim. Your concerns lie with Antioch University’s Board of Trustees’ inability to control its administrators and employees and not with The Antioch Papers.”
— Noble/Springer (see attached letter)

Antioch Confidential - The Article

Antioch Confidential

Antioch Confidential examines several documents that were until now Antioch University attorney-client privileged communications. What role has this confidentiality played in the health of a College that has functioned through a decades-old shared governance system, a governance system that has been integrated as a major component of its educational curriculum and that has historically brought students to the College?

"AHCRRBAS"

2001 Ad Hoc Committee Report and Related Board Action Summary

Finance Committee Minutes May - June 2001

Antioch University Finance Committee Minutes May 31 and June 1, 2001

Investment Committee Minutes June 2001

Antioch University Board Of Trustees Investment Committee Minutes June 1, 2001

Closed Session Minutes May-June 2001

Antioch University Board of Trustees Annual Meeting Closed Session Minutes May 30 – June 2,2001 Keene, New Hampshire

Briefing Memorandum

Briefing Memorandum Antioch University Board of Trustees June 2, 2001

Email from Devine to McDonald

What is expected of Boards in higher education.

Executive Committee Minutes October, 2001

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Antioch Board of Trustees October 1,2001, at Avon, CT

Spirit of '73

121 pages of interviews conducted by Kirsten Ervin as part of her 1991 Senior Project in Communications.

With: Phyllis Williams, Joyce Clayborn, Al Denman, Connie Gahagan, Virginia Garrett, Bill Houston, Jewell Graham, Kenneth Olson, Connie Pelekoudas, Nina Myatt, and John Ronsheim. Note: the pdf is bookmarked into individual interviews for better access

Improved Antioch Papers Search

Announcing Custom Google Search in the sidebar. You can now search the entire contents of this site—including the more than 5000 pages of pdf documents.

Antioch Budgets For Dummies

Given the recent accounting error by the University in which they projected their cash flow to be 30% worse then it actually is (see pg. 3), the researchers at The Antioch Papers have created “Antioch Budgets for Dummies” Intended for Antioch Trustees, Alumni, Workers, Students, and Community Members; ABD is a “tool-kit” they can use to make sure such accounting errors don’t occur in the future.

Antioch College Faculty Count and Student Enrollment 1997-2007

An archeological overview of student and faculty numbers covering the past decade available at this point, compiled by the Antioch Papers.

College and University Budgets and Reports to the Board–1960s to present

More than 4000 pages of documents in pdf form.

Village of Yellow Springs Resolution 2008-04

January 11- Village council resolution recognizing and supporting the efforts of the Antioch College Continuation Corporation (AC3) to avoid even a temporary closure of the college.

Faculty Lawsuit Dismissed, Serious Questions Remain

The Faculty has dismissed their lawsuit without prejudice, while asserting their participation in rebuilding efforts in accordance with their contracts. Serious questions are raised for the university administration to answer in a timely fashion.

McGregor Naming Opportunities

Bronze Level $25,000+
William Hooper Classroom
Donors: …

Dis"Continuation of College Operations"

November 9 – A letter from Interim Antioch College President Andrzej Bloch to College Faculty about the likely termination of their employment.

Steve Schwerner's Hard and Fast Economic Law

“If it is an asset, it belongs to the University; if it is a liability, it belongs to the College.”

McGregor Bond Document

The $13,795,000 bond document that raised the fund’s for Antioch McGregor’s “Campus West”.

FUN FACTS
The number of times the following terms appear in the bond:
1. Antioch College – 15 times
2. Antioch McGregor – 9 times
3. Antioch University McGregor – 3 times

University Report to the BOT, Fall 2007

An Antioch Papers first, a document from the future! The Year-End Financial Statements for 2006-07 and First Quarter Performance of 2007-08 to be presented October 25-27, 2007. Presented to you in time to digest before the big show.

A Vote of Truth and Justice

Sept. 24 – UE Local 767 asks for the Board to address and for the Chancellor to explain (and apologize for) a set of “secretive, unethical and illegal acts.”

AAUP Letter to Murdock, Zucker, and Bloch

Sept. 19 – A letter detailing the heightened concerns of the American Association of University Professors towards Antioch University and Antioch College.

The Viable College and the Sisyphean Nightmare

This letter from College President Devine to Chancellor Hall states “the plan to charge depreciation to each campus is, for the College, the crushing blow. It renders the challenge of building a healthy and viable College a Sisyphean nightmare.” This plan would come into full force with University CFO Watts’ Drain The Pipes order.

Questions Regarding the Unusual Structure of the University.

May 7 – In a letter to University Chancellor Craiglow, former College President Bob Devine details the impact of the Drain The Pipes plan while asking “some ultimate questions regarding the unusual structure of the University.” This letter is followed by College faculty questions about Accountability and the Possible End of Antioch College

Accountability and the Possible End of Antioch College

December 9 – A letter from 10 faculty members of the College’s CIS Department to Chancellor Craiglow and CFO Watts. The letter ends with the sentence, “We are committed faculty who are worried that this lack of accountability may ultimately mean the end of Antioch College.” One possible beginning to this possible ending starts here

CG goes to New York

November 7 – Members of Community Government heard but ignored at Board of Trustees Executive Committee Meeting

Drain The Pipes

Drain the Pipes First Page

October 26 – This letter from Glenn Watts (University CFO) to Barbara Stewart (College CF0) begins the full implementation of the University’s Sisyphean plan for the College. Stewart resigned from her position a few weeks after receiving this letter. She is the last Antioch College CFO to date. The impact of the budget changes in this letter led former College President Bob Devine to ask these Questions Regarding the Unusual Structure of the University

Know Your Board of Trustees

Your resource guide for getting to know the voting members of the 2007/08 Antioch University Board of Trustees.

Invited Stakeholders Meeting Agenda

The agenda distributed to the “invited stakeholders” for the afternoon meeting with the BOT on August 25, 2007.

College Suspension Scenarios 1 and 2

May 31 – The future status of the College will be announced as either Scenario I (Permanent Closure) or Scenario II (Suspend Operations for 3 Years)

Data for Financial Planning Discussion

May 31 – A framework for discussing the past history of the College and the University’s future planning assumptions through 2014.

Closing the College Scenarios Financials

May 31 – Financial projections based on 3 assumptions, #1 being the Board declares that financial exigency exists at the College at the June BOT meeting

AAUP Letter of Concern to Antioch University

Aug. 7 – The American Association of University Professors responds to request for advice and assistance by Antioch College Faculty.

Budget Report to the Board of Trustees

June 7-9 – Includes the 2006-07 end of year projections, 2007-08 proposed budgets, and fiscal year 2008-12 capital budgets.

Board of Trustees and Executives: Expectations in Communication and Responsibilities

Oct. 26 – An essay by University Chancellor Toni Murdock that establishes a framework for discussing the Board’s operational style, communications patterns, and governance structure, including protocols for trustee/faculty interaction. Her bibliography makes no reference to Mort Rauh’s 1969 book.

Antioch University Self-Assessment

August 2002 – A 146-page self-study created by Antioch University for the 2002 National North Central Association (NCA) Re-accreditation Visit.

Antioch College Self-Assessment

Summer 2002 – A 124-page self-study created by Antioch College for the 2002 National North Central Association (NCA) Re-accreditation Visit.

Mort Rauh on Trusteeship - published in Antioch Notes

Morton A. Rauh, Vice-President Emeritus, literally wrote the book on trusteeship. In this issue of Antioch Notes, he suggests ways in which a college or university board can expand participation in decision-making.

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“If evil is inevitable,
how are the wicked accountable?
Nay, why do we call men wicked at all?
Evil is inevitable, but is also remediable."
– Horace Mann

Antioch Confidential: The Video

Links