Drying of Main Campus Continues as Local Petition Moves Ahead

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The drying out of campus following flooding from broken attic sprinkler system pipes in South Hall and Main Building is running ahead of schedule, said Lynda Sirk, Antioch University Director of Public Relations. “The damage is not as extensive as we believed when [Munters, the company providing mitigation of the water damage] first came on campus. We’ll be able to salvage everything and have Main Building back to its original state except for a few damaged ceiling tiles,” stated Sirk.

Sirk said damage was confined to the central areas of Main Building. “The registrar’s office, AEA and the music department stayed dry” she declared.

South Hall should be done in two to three days, said a Munters worker who wished to remain anonymous. The mitigation of Main Building will take longer, another worker said, because the painted plaster walls need a long time to dry. Wednesday morning the workers said they were waiting for a decision from Tom Faecke, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of Antioch University, on whether they could begin removing paint from the plaster walls so that the walls could be dried more efficiently.

“Without proper ventilation and heating, moisture from condensation may damage plaster, cause paint to peel, stain woodwork and warp floors. If such conditions are allowed to continue, structural damage may occur,” according to a 2008 letter to Antioch University from Glen Harper, Manager of Preservation Services for the Ohio Historical Society listed on the Antioch Papers website. Sirk said she was not concerned about moisture from condensation or other sources causing mold or other damage to Main Building in the future; “ It’s so dry, it will take time for moisture to build up again.” She said the University and the Antioch College Continuation Corporation would continue to work with Stanley Consultants on how to maintain campus buildings.

In the meantime, Greene County resident Otha Davenport is planning to present the petition he initiated to the Ohio attorney general in Columbus on Friday morning, February 27th. The petition asks for investigation of what Davenport calls the “missteps” of the Antioch University Board of Trustees in bringing about the closing of the College. According to state law, five or more county residents can call for the investigation of a nonprofit that has failed its duty to serve the public interest. “The University [administrators] seem to think they’re a private company, but they’re a nonprofit. They don’t pay village, Greene County, state or federal taxes,” Davenport said.

Nonstop Opening Snapshots

About 200 Yellow Springs residents, Nonstop community members and Antioch College alumni celebrated the official opening of newly renovated Campus North in Millworks on February 6. Some comments from attendees:

migiwa and community

Its homey and nice. A template for a student union and a great piece of performance art.
-Steven Duffy (1977), alumni associate, College Revival Fund.

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Nic Viox and Lauren Soldano

This space and this event are wonderful. Nonstop should grow.  This is the perfect business for the village: life-enhancing, non-polluting and revenue-generating.
-Brad Myers, Yellow Springs resident.

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Community Managers, Chelsea Martens and Meghan Pergrem cut the Nonstop cakes while Joseph Minde-Berman looks on

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I’m blown away!  What a beautiful, festive event!
-Neenah Ellis, new WYSO general manager.

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Taken from the staircase to the CG loft

It’s wonderful to see the Yellow Springs community here.
-Joan Meadows, Nonstop communication coordinator.

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Micheal Casselli, designer of the Campus North place

A spectacular show of frugality and entrepreneurship. Very Antiochian, very green.
-Sam Eckenrode (1983), village resident.

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Chris Hill, Executive Collective member, and Dianne Chiddister, YS News reporter

“The most Antiochian moment I’ve had in several decades, bringing together community and learners and teachers and staff in that wonderful community space to celebrate the hard work, creativity and accomplishment of all those associated with Nonstop. We need to remember what’s been accomplished and hang on to the glow of this success. It’s too precious to be washed away.”
-Bob Devine (1967), Nonstop faculty, looking back after the unfortunate flooding of Main Building and the temporary eviction of the community from Campus North

before ribbon is cutribbon is cutbutterflies and shredded words