Many who know me know that I am probably the biggest proponent of the state of Wisconsin here at Antioch. Of course, many of you are thinking that all there is in Wisconsin is cows and people with funny accents. Of course, you are dead wrong. Wisconsin has been the first in many areas. In 1998 my congressional district (the 2nd congressional district of Wisconsin) was first in United States history to elect an openly gay (Tammy Baldwin) non-incumbent candidate to Congress. Also it was my Senator Russ Feingold who was the only United States senator to vote against the Patriot Act and one of two to initially vote against the War in Iraq. When questioned on his reasoning for voting against the Patriot Act, Senator Feingold simply answered, “Because I read it”. Continue reading From the Editor – Bryan Utley
Tag: faculty
An Interview with Chris Smith
What will you be doing next fall (or when you start your new position)? And how do you expect it will be different from your work here at Antioch?
I begin my new position in August. I will be Assistant Professor of Psychology, Human Development, and Women’s Studies at University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Probably the biggest difference will be in class size. For example, my intro to Psychology course will have 125 students. I’m going to a state school, and many of the students are first-generation college students. I suspect they will have working technology, and if it doesn’t, they will actually have staff on hand to fix it. I also expect that there will be soap in all the bathrooms.
What do you think you will miss the most about Antioch and what do you think you will miss the least?
I will certainly miss the students. I love the fact that I can get to know my students because classes are small. I love the fact that students are generally quite aware of world issues and that most people are politically liberal. Students here tend to be intellectually curious for its own sake, which makes being a professor a wonderful experience. Antioch attracts a lot of great, funny, witty characters, and I mean that in the best sense. I was talking in my Social Psychology class about how we sometimes cannot easily come up with reasons why we like or love something because it is so difficult to put into words. This really is an amazing place and I will miss all the little things like knowing almost everyone on campus and being able to sit on committees with students. Continue reading An Interview with Chris Smith
Antioch College Racial Discrimination Prevention Policy
I. Preface
History of the RDPP
Since its student-initiated inception in 1997, the Racial Discrimination Prevention Policy (RDPP) has been the work of students, staff, faculty and administrators at Antioch College. The College’s Sexual Offense Prevention Policy inspired the idea for a policy designed to support an anti-racist College environment. There have been incidents on the Antioch College campus that demonstrated the need for this type of policy. Procedural components to address prevention are also included in the policy as part of the mediation and resolution process. The College’s Administrative Council approved this policy on April 25, 2006.
Continue reading Antioch College Racial Discrimination Prevention Policy
Letter From the Editor – Edward Perkins
This week’s issue spends a lot of time discussing love at Antioch. Our readers hear it from our staff, faculty, and even our layout editor. Given the amount of attention given to this topic, it would seem redundant for my editorial to also discuss love at Antioch, but I am talking about love of a different kind, and a different Antioch.
In Roman times, Antioch was the largest city east of Constantinople. It was also of great importance to early Christians. One of these early followers of Jesus was St. Ignatius, the third Bishop of Antioch. It is to old Saint Iggy, rather than Saint Valentine, that I turn to for a lesson in love.
St. Ignatius was captured by the Romans, and sentenced to death in the Colosseum. During the long journey from Antioch (in present day Turkey) to Rome, he was subjected to all kinds of hardships. His writings tell the grim tale: “I fight with wild beasts, by land and sea, by night and by day, being bound amidst ten leopards, even a company of soldiers, who only grow worse when they are kindly treated”. Yet his beliefs did not waver, and he actually attracted large crowds of followers during his trying journey, turning desperate times into an educational experience. Upon arrival in Rome, Ignatius was taken to the Colosseum and put in front of a bunch of hungry lions. His love of his beliefs was so great that right before he was torn apart by these bloodthirsty beasts he is reported to have cried out to his followers “I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ.” This is true love, though certainly not of a romantic disposition, but love for a belief system and ideas.
As we at the Antioch of modern times face the wild beasts of disappearing financial aid, disintegrating facilities, and dwindling student services, and possibly the ultimate test of our ideals, the closure of our institution, I ask those who truly love this place, and its virtues and principals, to remain steadfast. Follow the example of St. Ignatius, and if the death of the college does transpire, let your love move you closer to everything it represents, even as we are ripped to shreds by the merciless teeth of the Board of Trustees. Love, Live, and Prosper.
Happy Valentines Day Molly!
-Edward Perkins
Dispatches from Community Meeting
by Erin-aja grant
The shape of McGregor 113 is reminiscent of a Greek amphitheater, stadium seats and all. This week the agenda was lively with thank yous or yays first, with all the nays (Pulse) at the end. As the counsel formed, folks enjoyed the free ice cream on a rainy day. Although the only Caesars present were haircuts, people were heard and decisions were made. The first yay was from Milt Thompson, who thanked students for their ongoing participation in the smoking ban, even though there are still issues. Students were thanked and applauded while faculty, staff, and students sang praises for the muses of our community. Scott Warren was acknowledged for his orations during breakfast with Dialogia. Dennie Eagleson accepted her Community Member of the Week chocolate for her role at Antioch, mirroring that of Atlas. Much like Hermes the Cil updates were helpful and informative. Kim Jurriaans reported to the gallery about AdCil. She talked about the current happenings with the AC3 and future plans to raze G. Stanley Hall. Levi B. lectured on behalf of ComCil as the chair. ComCil signed confidentiality agreements, appointed committees, and debated the CG elections and how to proceed with the race. The chair also explained the no candidate option, while announcing the continuation of the election as normal. Announcements were spouted much like Zeus’s siblings from the mouth of Cornus. Story time is Mondays for all the Antiochians with an Achilles-style weakness for picture books, Wellness 9:30pm. Dialogia is discussing “chicks” this week, 7pm Thursday. Others had enticements much like those from Hades, $1 corndogs in the C-shop, and a Mustache party Friday at 11pm. The herald of Antioch, “The Record” reminded the public to email questions, concerns, and op-eds to the editors. Also noble CM Chelsea Martens beseeched the citizenry to send events for community day via mail by Friday. The CFB was at a whooping $4,665 while requests were made. Niko Kowell asked for reimbursement for a conference he and other students attended. Students Jamila Hunter and J-Bear requested $40 and $50 dollars respectively. The exiled Jimmy Williams was chosen as the commencement speaker, with Patricia Hill-Collins receiving the next bid. The next item on the agenda was the candidate’s forum for the “Fab Four” collective. Comprised of Jamila Hunter, Fela Pierre-Louis, Niko Kowell, and Meghan Pergram, they led a discussion on their hopes for the future. They also proclaimed their personal deadline for their continued participation in the race. If the school has no final decision by April 4th, the “Fab Four” collective will step down. Although this news was a shock, continued help with the hiring process was mentioned. As the questions began in true dialogue, OM candidate Meghan Pergram discussed the budget and projections for next term. Niko Kowell clarified what support for staff and faculty could mean. The collective does intend to have a community forum to hear about the needs of students and discuss the 4th position. While many issues and questions remain the “Fab Four” did address student morale, LEG code difficulties, and diversity struggles. CM candidate Fela Pierre-Louis cited the need for “Antioch to be accountable”. The meeting ended in true sophist tradition, with a pulse conversation of laundry. Some poised value questions, while some asked about Antioch’s sense of social responsibility. Kim Jurriaans just wanted to know where her bras and pants went from the north dormitory. True Greeks could have debated this topic for hours but in the end it is simple. Next time you hear the sirens tell you to take peoples stuff, pull a Dionysus and get some wine instead.