By Jeanne Kay
It was not easy, on Tuesday morning, for AdCil members to discuss the first items on the agenda as if Friday’s announcement had not happened. The state of aggravated uncertainty brought to the community by the reaffirmation by Antioch University that operations at Antioch College would take an end under the University watch on June 30th made order of the day topics subordinate to dealing with the consequences of the new situation.
The Subcommittee for Campus Services submitted their report about the short-term needs of different campus services (including IT, Counseling and Wellness, Financial Aid, the Gym, the Theatre…) yet several AdCil members felt unable to take action to meet these needs given the level of uncertainty about the future of the college: “In order to meaningfully evaluate these issues we need to have a timeframe in our minds and we don’t have it” declared faculty member Hassan Rahmanian. Interim President Andrzej Bloch replied that although there was no clear picture of the future of the institution, the report pointed out “small things that could be fixed right away.” Union member Carol Braun, however, ventured that “The University is covering itself from a lawsuit by students… By going through a community institution like AdCil, so they can prove they’ve asked the community…and show that that they’ve tried to support students throughout the term.” Continue reading Report from AdCil
Tag: meeting
Letter from Chelsea
Dearest Community,
I wanted to share with you my response regarding the events that took place this last weekend and on the future of Antioch College. It is true that the university will cease its’ operations of Antioch College effective June 30tth, 2008. This is not new news. In fact, its not necessarily negative news. This past weekend the university continued with their position on the future of Antioch College, but has not concluded their negotiations with the ACCC.
We in CG were deeply troubled by the way their announcement was delivered to the community and are attempting to help paint a clearer picture of our current situation and our possible future. In no way are we trying to instill a false sense of hope, but the reality is that what was stated on Friday was presented with far more certainty than the situation warrants. We believe that the university administration and BOT are justifiably concerned about their legal position in regards to the college, but they can not speak for the ACCC, especially when those negotiations are continuing, which we understand that they are. Although the university administration and BOT can say that they are no longer operating Antioch College after the 30th of June, they cannot say that it will for certain be closed. The type of self-fulfilling prophecy that was exhibited this past weekend is dangerous and damaging to all of us, and the future of this amazing institution.
Continue reading Letter from Chelsea
Dispatches from Community Meeting
By Erin-Aja Grant
In the last 7 days there have been two community meetings held, mainly about the same thing. The much-anticipated University BOT meeting held in L.A. was supposed to provide some clarity about the intentions of the AC3 and the status of acquiring Antioch College. Both meetings talked extensively about the BOT meeting and the AC3 but differed in their message.
On Friday Andrejz Bloch called an emergency community meeting that was facilitated by ComCil chair Levi Cowperth-Waite and fourth year Sara Buckingham. There was no CFB, announcements, or ‘thank yous’ but it was very much a community meeting. This meeting was met with great anticipation from the community since Andrejz and Linda Sirk had been in L.A. and CG remained in L.A. for the results of the University BOT meeting that commenced this last weekend. When Andrejz made his announcement on Friday the community had a mixed bag of emotions. Many did not understand, as Andrejz described, “As the University’s reaffirmation that the college will be closing as of June 30, 2008.” Faculty members like Chris Smith asked questions as well as community members, staff, and students. Many felt disheartened by the news because the media was awaiting the community’s’ reactions about the closing of the college. Antioch Alum, former staff, and AC3 member Steve Schwerner was openly in opposition to Andrejz’s announcement. He said the AC3 asked for Eric Bates and David Goodman to go to L.A. and they were not allowed. As questions were fired at Andrejz many were left unanswered. Continue reading Dispatches from Community Meeting
Letter From Carl Hyde ’48
To the Editors:
The announcement at the community meeting on Friday contained no new information. We already knew that the University would not continue to operate the College after July 1. Why then was it presented as though it were news?
I believe that Toni Murdoch has her own agenda. She has managed to make a simple issue so complicated that “we don’t have enough time to resolve all the questions!” That kind of detail is not what we need now. We need a simple statement of intent that the University plans to transfer ownership of the College to the ACCC effective July 1. Details can be worked out before and after that date.
Toni wants the College to close and has consistently worked toward that end.
The longer she can delay any resolution, the harder it becomes to keep the College open.
She sent Andrzej Bloch back by night flight to tell the students and faculty to “Look to your own career needs.” In other words, “please go away.” She wants the campus empty. I believe she is surprised and annoyed that students and faculty have stayed firm and refused to abandon ship. She has no understanding of the strength of the Antioch spirit.
Please keep the faith. We can win this battle.
Carl Hyde ‘48
Letter From the Editor – Bryan Utley
Love at Antioch
Does love exist at Antioch? Since this paper is coming out on Valentines Day it was only natural for most of the record staff to focus on the topic of love. People couldn’t stop talking about it during this week’s staff meeting and at first I was that bitter gay man but then I seriously sat down and started to think about this hallmark holiday. Growing up I didn’t believe in love as seen in the movies instead I came from the school of thought that it was a feeling necessary to have in order to propagate our genes. After all our species will die if we stop doing the nasty. Of course modern synthesis does have a few shortcomings I happen to be one. The feeling of love does exist at Antioch for example I know many couples who share that feeling for love with one another I did for most of my Antioch career (lets hope their relationships don’t end up like mine). To be honest I usually dread this “love” day but this year it might be a little different. I am surrounded by the people I love everyday and I am apart of the community I love and I work with some amazing people, that is what this day should be about. Tell your friends, coworkers, lovers and pets that you love them because life would be lonely without them.
Love
Bryan Utley