Antioch College Action Network

For more information about the project, visit: http://art.saveantioch.org

Press release:

Antioch College will host a Community Art Festival around the theme “Antioch Is My Home” from April 13 through April 26. “The theme is a sentiment that is echoed across the Antioch community. I wanted to develop a positive project that would create solidarity and build the momentum of the efforts to save Antioch,” says Marjorie Jensen, a recent Antioch College graduate who is coordinating the festival.

This multi-faceted festival will include an exhibition in the Reed Gallery (in the upstairs of the Visual Arts building) that opens on April 13 and runs through April 26; video screenings and musical performances in Kelly Hall on April 17 at 8pm; dance performances in Antioch’s South Gym on April 23 at 8pm; theater performances and readings of various writing styles in the Antioch Area Theater on April 24 at 8pm. There will also be a variety of installation pieces set up around campus throughout the duration of the festival. (more…)

Supporters of Antioch College call on Antioch University to negotiate in good faith over the future of the college. The university issued conflicting statements Friday about the state of talks that could keep the historic college open.

Andrzej Bloch, Antioch College Interim President, stated Friday in an open meeting at the college that Antioch University trustees did not hold a vote on the future of Antioch College. However, a university press release the same day stated that Antioch College would not be open at the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.

Initial reports in the media stated negotiations to transfer authority of Antioch College to the recently established Antioch College Continuation Corporation (ACCC) failed. Sources close to the talks indicate that negotiations continue, and the Board of Trustees have expressed a willingness to continue discussions with the ACCC.

Meeting Sunday, members of the coalition of college supporters known as the Antioch College Action Network (ACAN) rejected the University’s statement that the College would suspend operations June 30. ACAN understands that Antioch College will not operate under Antioch University beyond June 30th, but that does not preclude operations under the new corporation ACCC. While hopeful of a positive outcome to the negotiations, ACAN is committed to developing bold, creative initiatives and actions to support continuous operations of the college.

Alumni raised $18 million in cash and pledges to keep the college open, and the nine members of the ACCC have personally pledged $8.5 million. The trustees have thus far balked at the ACCC’s offer to acquire the college.

According to Antioch University’s own press release, the Board of Trustees continues to negotiate a possible transfer of Antioch College to the ACCC. If this transfer is successful, it is possible that Antioch College will begin operations under the new corporation for the 2008-2009 academic year.

If Antioch College is transferred to a new corporation, Antioch University would not be responsible for the decision to resume operations under a new corporation for the 2008-2009 academic year.

ACAN members believe that by publicizing the apparent closure of Antioch College on Friday, February 22nd, Antioch University administrators may not have acted in the previously agreed upon mutual good faith and may have damaged delicate negotiations, demoralizing the college community.

ACAN members are asking the Antioch University administration to publicly address these issues: 1) the inconsistencies between Bloch’s statement and the university’s press release; 2) the source of the statement that Antioch College will not operate in 2008-2009; and 3) the Trustees’ plan for the continuation of the negotiations with the ACCC.

ACAN members also call into question the experience, competence and objectivity of the Feasibility Work Group charged by the trustees with evaluating the ACCC proposal. The Work Group includes members who have demonstrated public hostility to the college, none of whom attended the college, and none of whom has expertise in private residential liberal arts education.

University chancellor Toni Murdock, who serves on the Work Group, was the subject of no confidence votes by the faculty, staff and students of the college, as well as by the faculty of Antioch Seattle, where she previously served as president.

ACAN is an independent collective of autonomous alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Antioch College and villagers of Yellow Springs. ACAN is a grassroots movement working collaboratively for a continuous and sustainable future for Antioch College. ACAN has no affiliation with Antioch University, the Antioch College Continuation Corporation, the Antioch University Board of Trustees, or the Antioch College Alumni Association. ACAN is responsible for the content of this statement. For more information about ACAN visit http://saveantioch.org/

The following people signed on to this statement between 02/25/08 - 04/15/08.

(more…)

 ACAN Ad #3 - Non-Stop PDF: Download

This winter break marks a critical turning point in the movement for Non-Stop Antioch. The College Revival Fund has delivered its first $2 million payment to the university to maintain continuous operations of the college, with another $4.6 million promised by December 15, and admissions is open for new transfer students.

We must sustain our momentum and keep pushing to establish autonomy for the college, lift financial exigency, restore tenure, recruit first-year students, and continue full, uninterrupted academic programs and support services.

We must be especially vigilant during the winter break to assure that our campus, its property and community, are kept safe.

We know that current students face the difficult choice of whether to leave in the face of such uncertainty and ambiguity. We are calling to you to stay with us and to fight, as we are with you. We will do everything we can to support those of you who decide to stay. We’ll join you in the struggle to improve conditions on campus and hold leadership accountable. (more…)

 ACAN Ad #2 - Autonomy - PDF: Download

To truly reverse its closure, Antioch College needs to begin acting like it’s open, and begin building on its vibrant academic foundation to grow into a healthy, self-sufficient institution.

To make this happen, Antioch must immediately:

• establish the College Advisory Board and invest it with real authority, including hiring a College President
• remove internal barriers and begin recruiting and admitting new and transfer students for Fall 2008
• restore tenure and remove the threat of firing that hangs over faculty and staff
• maintain all academic and support services during renovations
• hold leadership accountable for past decisions and statements
• ensure an open and participatory decision making process
• guarantee a commitment from leadership to operate on principles of openness and honesty
• have leaders committed to the turnaround of Antioch College
• call for respect in communications from all university officials so the College’s already challenging task isn’t made more difficult

Sincerely,

the Antioch College Action Network (more…)

•  ACAN Ad #1 - We Have Your Back PDF: Download
  

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WE HAVE YOUR BACK

A Message from Supporters of Community Governance

For every generation of Antiochians there comes a defining moment – a moment to stand up for our shared values and to use our strength in the service of our vision.

This time is now. We want the Antioch College Community to know that we, who have engaged in Community Governance, have your back at this critical time. We acknowledge the difficulty of doing so while not being there with you, but wish to make our intentions clear.

As the campus Antioch Community, you are showing the world the value of an Antioch education. You are taking action to enable people you may never know, people you may never meet, to access an Antioch education and go on to win victories for humanity. (more…)