↓ Download PDF ← Back to Library
>A- S o
Confidential to members of the Antioch University Board of Trustees
Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Antioch Board of Trustees
October 1,2001, at Avon, CT
This meeting was originally scheduled for September 12, 2001, in New York City.
Present: Bruce Bedford, Jim Hall, Dan Kaplan, Bob Krinsky, Jim McDonald, Jack Merselis,
Barbara Winslow. By telephone: Lillian Lovelace, Judy Palmer.
1. Jack Merselis went over the agenda:
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Establish goals for the meeting
i. Information on operations, finance, planning
ii. Prioritize issues and needed interventions
iii. Prepare actions plans to address key areas of concern
iv. Develop agenda for Board meeting October 18-20
c. Discussions:
i. Operations Bruce B, Jim H
ii. Finance/Stabilization Jim McD
iii. AULA campus development Bruce B. Jim McD
iv. Management Transition/Searches – Bob K, Bruce B, Jack M
v. Future of Antioch Committee Bruce B, Jack M
vi. Capital Campaign Bob K, Dan K
d. Interview – Joan Straumanis (meeting as Management Transition Committee)
e. Conference Call – AULA campus development
f. By Laws – proposed revisions
g. Plan agenda for Oct. 18-20 board meeting
h. Communications with Board and ULC
2. Bruce Bedford reported on current operations:
a. The College had a total of 190-195 new students enter for the fall. This is below
projections. The shortfall, coupled with more tuition discounts than had been
budgeted, has resulted in a negative impact on the College budget of $600k.
b. The other campuses are generally doing ok on their budgets.
c. At the College, Bob Devine has notified his staff and faculty that he is taking a
sick leave. Also, Scott Warren, Dean of Students, is apparently asking to return
to the faculty in the end of the year.
d. The Capital Campaign has received a gift of $ 10 million from Leo Drey.
Page 2
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
3. Jim McDonald reported on the work of the Financial Stabilization Committee:
a. In ’00-’01 the University had a loss of $1.5 million. When compared with a
surplus of $500k in the previous year, this represents a negative swing of $ 2
million.
b. The current position for this year is a risk of a loss of $4.4 million plus a
possible $1.2 million write-down of the endowment.
i. Budgeted loss of $1,250,000
ii. College shortfall 600,000
iii. Development shortfall 950,000
iv. Unbudgeted expenses 700,000
v. Endowment 900,000
c. The University risks violating covenants on two bond issues
d. Deferred maintenance is a serious issue
e. There is a leadership vacuum
f. Our mission is cloudy
g. Competition is tough
h. The committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 2, at Hartford Airport
4. Jim Hall reported:
a. The budgetary problems at the College are the current principal difficulty. These
have a destabilizing impact on the entire university.
b. We need to recognize that 800 students cannot be met now. We need to
recalibrate the budget to respond to the current numbers of 550-600.
c. The current administration of the College is unable to reduce the expenditure
rate.
d. Jim made a proposal that there be a formal recognition of the budgetary situation
and that a committee be formed of Bruce, Glen, Jim, and possibly Jim
McDonald, working with Hassan Nejad and Barbara Stewart, to create a plan for
the Executive Committee by late December. The plan would have a 3-year plan
in which the budget is adjusted and might include: curriculum revisions,
reductions in staff and faculty, keeping the hiring freeze in place, affirming that
subsidies will continue. To get this going, we do not need an interim president
right now.
Assumptions
I. Enrollment and revenue shortfall at Antioch College are the principal issues in
achieving a balanced budget. All have worked hard to realize the projected 800
student target. However, the fiscal situation of Antioch University can no longer
handle deficit spending beyond the planned and approved level of subsidy to the
Page 3
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
n. College. The current internal and external budget pressures threaten to
destabilize the whole. Although we should retain the goal of 800 students and
press hard to recruit and admit classes that move us toward that goal, we must
now adjust our annual budget assumptions to support an institution of around
600 to 650 students.
m. Current admin of college has been unwilling or unable to reduce the expense
level to balance the budget. There are important reasons for this that which need
to be kept closely in mind. But we are now against a wall and cannot avoid
taking action. The College is now at risk – along with the entire university. Good
stewardship requires that we act now.
IV. With President Devine on sick leave from his faculty position and an expected
resignation from the presidency, Vice President Hassan Nejad will act
temporarily as chief operating officer, reporting to Chancellor.
Recommended Policy & Strategy Actions
I. Recognize severity of budget situation and direct Chancellor, Exec. Vice Chair,
and Vice Chancellor to deal with it (Committee of 4 plus Nejad and Faculty
committee). Chancellor to work directly with campus leadership and faculty.
II. Submit a plan to Board for approval by December:
i. Drawing on findings and recommendations of the Stabilization Project
and the Finance Committee
ii. Consult on broad issues and outlines with AdCil or some yet-to-be
formed campus program and budget planning group
iii. Consult with Tom Clough
III. The Plan must be program driven, not budget driven, with the following
features:
i. Should be implemented over a two to three year period, achieving an
actual balance in year 3 (with the university subsidy)
ii. Revise curriculum, staffing to reflect a college of about 650 students
iii. Continue the university subsidy at established level. Provide two years
of special commitments (transitional) from accrued endowment earnings
or other sources to support and implement plan.
IV. Initiate but do not announce capital campaign. Raise (commit) funds to support
campaign costs and recruitment.
Page 4
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
V. Bring in Interim President by January 1 if possible. Chancellor has 3 months to
move planning forward.
VI. End current controls on hiring when the budget and staffing plan is approved.
5. Acting as the Management Transition Committee, the Executive Committee was joined
at noon by Reuben Harris and, by phone, Sandra Deming and Jessica Lipnack for an
interview with Dr. Joan Straumanis. Following the interview, the Management
Transition Committee voted to go forward with the process with Dr. Straumanis and to
invite her to visit Yellow Springs.
6. The Executive Committee discussed Bob Devine’s situation and sick leave. The
Committee voted unanimously to accept Bob Devine’s resignation as College President,
and appointed Jim Hall as Acting President. (See resolutions following these minutes.)
7. The committee then had a conference call regarding the Educational Village project in
Los Angeles. David Weaver, Glen Watts, and Mark Schulman joined the meeting on the
telephone. Bruce explained that despite numerous meetings key elements of the
proposed relationship had not changed. Antioch would loan the Educational Village
$1.7 million and would enter into a 30-year lease. The committee voted unanimously to
reject the current proposal and instructed David Weaver to counter-propose an
arrangement with the Educational Village which did not include a loan or up-front cash
provision. This would be a lease of space built to our specifications. This also passed
unanimously.
8. Dan Kaplan reported on the Capital Campaign progress. Bob Krinsky, Dan, Lois Mann
and Gail Gregory from Ketchum with Lillian on the phone. Members of a proposed
Steering Committee have been identified, as well as meeting dates and locations for the
Steering Committee and a job description for the Steering Committee. The Steering
Committee proposed membership is: Bob and Lillian, co-chairs, Ken Ball, Lee Morgan,
Amy Chappell, Paul Graham, Reuben Harris, Barbara Winslow. The first meeting of the
Steering Committee will be held at the October Board meeting.
Dan reported that some of the funds to cover the cost of Ketchum are coming from a
matching gift from the P-L foundation of $500k. The matches are to come from gifts
made by Board members. Dan also reported that the impact of September 11 and the
markets is unknown at this time. Frank and Gail from Ketchum will attend the Board
meeting so that we can hear from them their thoughts about the impact on the
Campaign.
Page 5
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
9. Bruce reported on the Future of Antioch committee. He reported that the committee
needs to define its process and who is included.
10. The Executive Committee reviewed proposed changes to the By Laws which would
were relatively minor and would serve to integrate changes proposed by the Ad Hoc
committee and approved by the Board’s June meeting in Keene. These changes will be
distributed to the full Board for their consideration.
11. The Exec Committee reviewed and approved the Agenda for the October Board
meeting in Yellow Springs.
Respectfully submitted by Dan Kaplan for Barbara Winslow.
7)^ K^f^ /a«^~~ ^^-^/M
Page 6
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
RESOLUTION 10.01.01:1
WHEREAS, Robert H. Devine announced at the June 2001 Board of Trustees
meeting in Keene, New Hampshire, that he intended to resign as President of
Antioch College during the current academic year, as soon as an Interim President is
appointed by the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, on September 26, 2001, Robert Devine notified the Chair of the Board
that he was exhausted and in ill health and that he could no longer perform the duties
and responsibilities of the position of President of Antioch College; and
WHEREAS, Robert Devine has continuing employment rights as a member of the
faculty at Antioch College.
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees of Antioch University hereby accepts Robert Devine’s resignation as
President of Antioch College effective immediately.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that Robert H. Devine shall continue to be employed
as “College Professor” at Antioch College, without departmental or academic
discipline designation as provided in his current employment agreement, and that he
shall continue to be paid his current salary and receive his current fringe benefits
(including his Presidential support allowance and automobile) through June 30,
2002.
FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED, that Robert H. Devine shall be entitled to post-
presidential sabbatical and other post-presidential terms and conditions of
employment as set forth in his current Employment Agreement.
Page 7
Executive Committee Minutes
October 1,2001
RESOLUTION 10.01.01:2
WHEREAS, the Executive Committee has accepted the resignation of Robert H.
Devine as President of Antioch College; and
WHEREAS, efforts are now in progress to recruit and appoint an Interim President
of Antioch College; and
WHEREAS, it is critically important for the College to have effective leadership
during the search for an Interim President; and
WHEREAS, Chancellor James W. Hall is able and willing to provide such
leadership to the College on a temporary basis; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Committee believes that it is in the best interest of the
College to have Dr. Hall perform the duties as Acting President of Antioch College
until such time as an Interim President of the College can be appointed.
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee hereby appoints
Chancellor James W. Hall as Acting President of Antioch College effective
immediately.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during the time he is serving as Acting
President, Dr. James W. Hall shall have all powers and duties of the President of
Antioch College, including those which have been delegated to the College
President by specific resolutions of the Board of Trustees and the Executive
Committee.
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that in addition to serving as Acting President of
the College, Dr. James W. Hall shall also continue to perform the duties and
responsibilities of Chancellor, as previously determined by the Board in Resolution
6.2.01:22.
