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Antioch College Board of Trustees meeting – June 17-18, 2026
From: Antioch College Board of Trustees
Subject: Antioch College Board of Trustees meeting – June 17-18, 2026
Date: June 29, 2026 at 2:37:05 PM EDT
Reply-To: communications@antiochcollege.edu
ANTIOCH COLLEGE
The Board of Trustees met on campus June 17th and 18th. We were joined by College staff, students, and
an observer.
On Day 1, following a call to order, members of the President’s cabinet were asked to share “memorable
moments” from the past year. A student was invited to share her story, and emphasized how co-op has
helped her both personally and vocationally. When asked what advice she had for the Trustees, she
responded that it was important to find students to talk with who would be honest in their assessment.
Highlights from The President’s Report:
Acknowledged the facilities challenges and noted that students were facing hardships with grace.
The Higher Learning Commission site visit team commented that the College has come a long way. The
decision on reaccreditation will be in August.
Special announcement: Antioch secured an anonymous donation of $1 million and raised over $1.7 million in
cash from trustee efforts in collaboration with College leadership and Advancement.
Staff responded to questions from Trustees regarding admissions, including the number of admits/deposits,
financial statements, tuition costs, status of Pell grants and federal work programs, capacity, and student
involvement.
James Goffe, Director of Business and Revenue, gave a financial report. Antioch financials are trending in
the right direction, but not fast enough. There was discussion of the composite score, which remains below a
passing mark, and accrual-based financial reporting, which connects to the “going concern” status of the last
three years. There was further discussion of the critical need to be creative in raising funds beyond alumni
donations, diversifying revenue generation, and assessing the levers of the SEE Plan in this regard. These
scores must be improved. The Board also discussed the implications and timelines for correction, and
additional discussion and action will first go to the Finance Committee of the Board.
The Board closed the first day in Executive Session to discuss recent events related to Board processes,
confidentiality, and communication.
On Day 2, the Board began with a second invited student, who shared their observations and concerns. They
offered a clear and practical list and noted that a new staff position, “Community Care Organizer,” will start on
August 3rd. An immediate action item is to provide students with a flow chart of who to reach out to with
facilities work orders. Consistent, clear, and timely communication and improvements in facilities and board
were also requested.
Ongoing discussion of communication, planning, grantwriting, and fundraising included consideration of
whether and how the College could identify and enlist alumni skills to address particular campus needs. A
fundraising menu was also discussed as a way for donors to support particular projects. The Board noted the
need to support creativity and innovative ways to address this. A preliminary set of 2027 potential budget
scenarios was reviewed.
President Fernandes asked the Trustees:
“If Antioch is thriving beyond our expectations five years from now, what will the Board have done to
make this happen?”
Significant discussion of the work to be done and next steps took place. A list of next steps for trustees and
Board committees was generated.
In Executive Session on Day 2, the Board discussed decision-making, confidentiality, transparency, and
communication, Board processes, and a commitment to providing Antioch’s distinct education to students in
facilities that more than meet expectations. There is very serious work that we recognize requires ongoing
dedication.
Further, the Board concluded a discussion about its own role regarding the complicated matters of personnel
when multiple College procedures and policies may be implicated. After much discussion, the trustees in
attendance accepted the position that there is a distinction between a grievance, which addresses academic
teachings (affecting tenure), and a complaint involving workplace behavior (applicable to all employees). The
latter is a Human Resources concern.
As fiduciaries of Antioch College, the Board of Trustees recognizes that the determination of Human
Resources matters belongs to the President of the College. The Board has performed its role to ensure that
relevant policies and procedures have been followed and documented. The Board cares deeply for the entire
Antioch College community, is cognizant of the impact of each decision and action involved here, and
respects its own role and responsibilities.
Finally, it was agreed in summary that the Board will further strive for clarity and unification of vision; empathy
for and focus on students and their concerns; alignment around and commitment to sustaining the College
and supporting its future, including through fundraising; and appropriate, timely, and transparent
communication.
In that regard, the Board of Trustees understands that there has been much discussion, deliberation, and
inquiry from the broader Antioch community about the future of the College and, most recently, about matters
relating to the Board’s renewal of President Fernandes’s contract
Following a comprehensive evaluation process led by Board co-Chairs and with input from the Executive
Committee, and involving a full-board survey and executive session discussion, as well as sessions with the
President to discuss results and establish priorities, a new, two-year contract was entered into, according to
the Board’s existing governing documents, policies, and procedures. This process involved review of the prior
contract by legal counsel, the President and co-Chairs, and the Executive Committee. The material terms of
the contract were shared with the full Board during an executive session.
The Board of Trustees is grateful to President Fernandes for continuing to lead the College through the HLC
ten-year re-accreditation process, updating important policies and procedures, engaging in strategic
planning, evaluating the SEE plan for course corrections, and increasing revenue and enrollment.
With President Fernandes’s leadership and guidance, a robust succession plan has begun, and
announcements about key steps and the timeline will be forthcoming in the coming months.
Trustees had the honor and privilege of attending Commencement on Saturday, June 20th. Twenty-three
graduates received diplomas in a beautiful and inspiring ceremony. Please find a link to watch the
ceremony
here.
Commencement speaker Dr. Ruha Benjamin spoke to the need for imagination to create a world that works
for everyone and bring greater love into our systems and institutions. Three student speakers passionately
conveyed their gratitude, optimism for the future, and a powerful call to action. Alumnus Larry Rubin invited
the graduates into the Alumni Association.
Congratulations to the class of 2026!
ANTIOCH COLLEGE
One Morgan Place
Yellow Springs, OH 45387es
