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.
aif_final.pdf [467.46KB],
Documents
Excerpts:
“The president’s reply made it clear that, for whatever reasons, the 2003 Board had not seen our ‘major proposals’ at all… Not only were none of the proposals acted upon but, as far as we can tell, voting members of the Board didn’t discuss them at all. It was an executive decision made by four salaried employees and approved only by the Board Chair, all five being quite content with the status quo.”“
page 15
“Why does the College need a university?” or “How does having a university benefit AC?” or similar. The reply is invariably “Money — they have it, we don’t.” The reason they have it is because the school was re-named. It remained the same school, with the same amount of money. Only the ownership changed. The 1977 Board decided (along with Pres. Birenbaum) that it was to the school’s advantage to be called a university. In fact, as things turned out, it was not to the school’s advantage. Enrollments declined further, more “centers” were closed, fiscal problems worsened, and that president was urged to resign with his university in shambles. Had a charismatic leader emerged at that point with a comprehensive plan to re-incorporate rather than merely/ rebuild the College, the 1985 Board might have cheered.”
page 8