ACAN Statement
WHEREAS; The Trustees of Antioch University have resolved to negotiate with any party at any time to continue a residential progressive undergraduate liberal arts education in Yellow Springs,
WHEREAS: The Antioch College Continuation Corporation (ACCC) is committed to upholding the mission of Antioch College and is willing to continue operations of the college starting July 1, 2008, with the means, motivation and resources to do so,
WHEREAS: Neither the Antioch College campus nor the alumni community were consulted before the suspension decision was announced, which is a violation of the school’s cherished tradition of shared governance, vital to its reputation and thus to its very life,
WHEREAS: Antioch University has continually and intentionally disregarded alumni support in planning the future of Antioch College,
WHEREAS: Antioch University Chancellor Toni Murdock has striven for closure of Antioch College since the beginning of 2007, and through her actions has actively impeded alumni efforts to save the college,
WHEREAS: Chancellor Murdock has twice received votes of “No Confidence” from two separate faculties of the university, and has no credentials for leadership of an undergraduate, residential liberal arts institution,
WHEREAS: Antioch University has abandoned its commitment to the Coretta Scott King Center, contrary to statements that it would not do so,
WHEREAS: Antioch University administrators and the Chair of the Board of Trustees have continually maligned the college shared governance, academic programs, faculty and students, and have misled and misinformed the public and the news media,
WE RESOLVE THAT:
1. The Antioch University Board of Trustees should demonstrate good faith in negotiating with the Antioch College Continuation Corporation for an open and independent Antioch College, with tenured faculty and unionized staff; and
2. If the Trustees of Antioch University allow its administration to proceed with current plans for the suspension of College operations, we blame them, and them alone for the collapse of the College; to that end, we will refuse to support Antioch University with our money or our labor in perpetuity, and will actively fight their claims of ownership to the campus, endowment, and historic mission of the college; and
3. We will support the Antioch College Faculty and College Revival Fund’s plan for Non-Stop Antioch; and
4. The Chancellor and the Chair of the Board should resign their posts immediately, having failed in their stewardship and fiduciary obligations to safeguard the future of the College,
5. We call on the Trustees of Antioch University to stand with the alumni and the college community in planning for a brighter future for Antioch College. The Trustees of Antioch University are:
- Toni Murdock – Chancellor, ULC (non-voting)
- Bruce P. Bedford(not an Antioch Alumnus)(AU BoT Executive Committee)
- Amy Chappell MD 1973
- Howard A. Coleman 1975
- David Crippens 1964
- Nancy Crow (Alumni Board President)
- Daniel Fallon PhD 1961 (AU BoT Executive Board)
- Dianne Brou Fraser 1968
- Everette Freeman PhD 1972
- Kenneth R. Friedman 1983
- Sherwood Guernsey II JD 1975 (School of Law)
- Reuben Harris PhD 1969
- Hal Joseph 1954
- Jeffrey C. Kasch 1965
- Niels P. Lyster 1954
- Sharon R. Merriman 1956
- John G. (Jack) Merselis, Jr. MD 1996 (ANE)
- Janet M. Morgan
- Larry Stone 1964
- Paula Treichler PhD 1965
- Arther J. Zucker 1955 (AU BoT Executive Committee, Chairman of AU Board)
We, the undersigned, pledge our support to this resolution.