Save Antioch College - The Portal

Last Friday, the Antioch College Board of trustees announced that they will be closing the college. But not everyone agress that the college's fate is sealed. WYSO's Amy Lee reports.

ANTIOCH COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

For Immediate Release

CONTACT: 443-864-0514 • press

ANTIOCH COLLEGE ALUMNI BOARD VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHT TO KEEP COLLEGE OPEN

–Meeting February 29th — March 2nd to Consider Next Steps–

Yellow Springs, Ohio, February 26, 2008– Just a few days after the Antioch University Board of Trustees unilaterally announced the closure of Antioch College for the 2008-2009 academic year, the Antioch College Alumni Board announced a renewed commitment to its ongoing and unprecedented efforts to keep the College open.

“The Board of Trustees’ announcement, released as the Antioch College Continuation Corporation was in the midst of good-faith negotiations with that Board, was ill-timed,” said Alumni Board President Nancy Crow.

Alumni Board Vice-President Ellen Borgersen added, “The announcement appears designed to break the resolve of the many dedicated alumni who support an open, independent Antioch College.”

She went on to say, “This strategy has completely backfired. We will not let it die.”

When asked about next steps, Borgersen said, “The Alumni Board is considering a number of options, including legal remedies and direct action. We welcome alumni input as we move forward.”

The Alumni Board is scheduled to meet this weekend, February 29-March 2, at the College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The agenda includes an open discussion of strategy, where alumni will continue the discussion of direct action and communication strategies, and will determine immediate next steps to be taken by the 17,000-member Alumni Association. All alumni are invited to attend these meetings. A final schedule and link to a live stream of audio from the meetings will be made available on the Alumni Board’s web site, www.antiochians.org.

Crow continued, “The University has made it clear that it does not intend to operate the College after June 30, 2008. The alumni are here, with an abundance of energy, vision, talent, and commitments of at least $18 million that will be available to an open and independent Antioch College. We fully intend to pick up the pieces, engage thousands of alumni, and shape the next 155 years of Antioch College.”

Since the University Board of Trustees announced the suspension of operations in June 2007, alumni across the country have rallied to their alma mater’s defense. Alumni chapters have grown worldwide. The Alumni Board is continuing with its fundraising and planning efforts. For additional information on the Antioch College Alumni Association and its College Revival Fund, visit the Antioch College Alumni Association web site, www.antiochians.org.

Antioch Alumni Association Board

Weston Hall

February 29-March 2, 2008

*All sessions will be held in Weston Hall unless otherwise noted. Continental breakfasts will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Weston.

Friday, February 29, 2008

8:00 a.m. Breakfast CLOSED

8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Welcome and Introductions, Approval of Minutes by Nancy Crow, President

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. State of the College Panel Discussion TBD

10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Strategic Planning for the Future Roles and
Goals of the Alumni Association and the College.

12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Lunch in Cafeteria Students, faculty and
staff invited

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Ad Hoc Committees:

Governance & Legal–Chair: Ellen Borgersen

Admissions–Chair: Kristen Pett

IT–Chair: Michael Heffernan

Accreditation/Faculty Liaison–Chairs: Dave Thelen/Catherine Jordan

3:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Community Meeting 113 McGregor

5:30p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Community Supper. Speaker: Alumni Board President Nancy Crow “Where we are now, where we are not and where we are going.” Cafeteria.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

8:00 a.m. Breakfast CLOSED

8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Group I Committees:

Association–Chair: Mike Brower

Communications–Chair: Christian Feuerstein

Development–Chair: Matthew Derr

10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Group II Committee Meetings

Nominating (Closed Session to discuss Award nominees/Secretary Nomination)–Chair: Tim Klass

Reunion–Chair: Bradley Wilburn

*Working Lunch for Board Members

1:00 p.m-3:00 p.m. RDPP Panel

3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Group I Committee Reports

4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Group II Committee Reports

5:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Wrap Up

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. People Of Color Mixer & Networking Social

Where: Coretta Scott King Center Lobby
What: Community building and social networking activity
Point Person: Daniel Solis y Martinez and Shelby Chesnut

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. White Anti-Racist Meeting & Networking Social

Where: Birch
What: Community building and social networking activity
Point Person: Lauren Hind

10:00 p.m. Community Dance

Where: Dance Space
What: Fun
Point Person: Jamila Hunter

Sunday, March 2, 2008

8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Wrap Up
9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon CRF Board Meeting