By Erin-Aja Grant

The CG race that has been brewing for 2 months is at a standstill. The posters are the first clue. Looking around, only one collective welcomed the community back from break. Only one collective seemed to be actively running. This was a subtle hint, but now it is official. The “Not Business as Usual” collective of Julian Sharp, Sarah Buckingham, Micah Canal, and Nicole Bayani surprised the community today by withdrawing their candidacy (see ‘letter’). While citing that they are moving on, the collective sent its warmest regards to the new CG in resignation. The current CG, the community, and the other collective are receiving this information at the exact same time. There will be no business, they have stepped down, through a letter to the community in Antioch’s best, The Record.

The collective that is left standing is known as the “Fab Four”. As of now, no matter how the votes are cast, the new CG will be Fela Pierre-Louis, Meghan Pergram, Niko Kowell, and Jamila Hunter. This election process has been tumultuous at best. With the closing of the school looming over all the CG candidates’ heads, a fight for the fourth position, and just plain old drama, many are still left with questions. What does the LEG code say about this? How will there be a race with no competition? Unfortunately the LEG Code doesn’t say much, but the race will continue although there is no one left to contest it. For one, the work has just begun for the new CG. Antioch now has a concrete CG, with time to set up a game plan. That means the “Fab Four” will have to show what they are made of and step up to create real change. While Julian, Sarah, Micah, and Nicole are pursuing other ventures in life, the “Fab Four” are going to need to hit the ground running.

8 AM in Main Building’s front hall. Students, faculty and staff all wearing –more or less customized—black Antioch t-shirts are running around carrying giant ice cube packs, last-minute fl yers, and signs bearing the words: Orientation This Way. Anticipation is palpable; the number of students who decided to enrol at Antioch “despite it all” is a source of amazement to many. “They are welcomed with open arms, we want to make them feel we are unifi ed as a student body”, commented Shea Witzberger, 2nd Year Student part of the Orientation Team. Few had predicted such a large turnout, and 20 supplemental welcome packages had to be prepared at the last minute. In fact, said Angie Glukhov, Director of Admissions, the numbers had changed every day up to the very last hours; “We got a student who called us yesterday telling us they were coming today”.

This unexpectedly large incoming first year class—75 according to the most recent count–could hardly have been expected when the news of Antioch’s suspension of operations came out in June. “We tried to contact students immediately, but it was a diffi cult process”, recalled Glukhov. Dealing with bewildered, shocked or angry prospective students, parents, and high school guidance counsellors is a task that the Admissions/Offi ce of Transition staff has had to face heads on this summer, being the primary contact for all complaints and inquiries.

AdCil (Administrative Council) meets every Tuesday at 8am in the Main Building Conference Room, and is made ¥up of student, staff and faculty members. Chaired by the president, the council votes on the decisions the he has to make. Certain matters discussed during these sessions are closed to the public, however many are open.

ComCil (Community Council) is in charge of community life and CG, is keeper of the Legislative Code, and meets on Thursdays at 3pm in the Main Building Council Room. It is made up of student and non-student members, a Union representative, and it is a public forum.

CGC (Campus Greening Council) explores alternative energy, is responsible for recycling, and ensures purchased products to be used on campus are recyclable. It is also in charge of the Community Garden, and meetings are to be announced within the next week or so.

The Faculty Senate was devised a few years ago after a faculty retreat to address issues of governance. It consists of a Steering Committee which helps to receive and prioritize agenda, a Personnel Committee that deals with faculty review, promotion, and tenure, an Academic Review committee that evaluates faculty publications and student reviews, and a Curriculum Review Committee that works with curriculum development.

Beginning with applause and admiration for literally every one on, around, and off campus, and ending in voiced disappointment over the cutbacks on hot breakfast, this year’s fi rst community meeting covered a lot of ground in a little time (sort of). McGregor 113, fi lled with a lot of old faces, and several new ones, was immersed in applause and a recurring sense of Antioch pride every few minutes, which helped to lead to its lengthy two hour session.