Author: horace mann

On May 12, 2009, the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Second Appellate District, heard an appeal on behalf of the members of the former faculty of Antioch College regarding reinstatement of their recently dismissed lawsuit against Antioch University.

In 2007 members of the former faculty of Antioch College filed a lawsuit alleging that Antioch University violated the Antioch “College Faculty Personnel Policies”. According to this contractual document, the University is mandated to seek “less drastic means” to closure through “consultation” with the College’s Administrative Council, AdCil. Specifically, the University is required to work with AdCil to development “a plan and timetable for abating financial emergency” or closure. The faculty lawsuit alleges that Antioch University officers refused to meet with AdCil to develop this plan or explore less drastic means.

A ruling on the appeal is expected sometime within the next 12 weeks.

For background information see The College Faculty website

On May 12, 2009, the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Second Appellate District, heard an appeal on behalf of the members of the former faculty of Antioch College regarding reinstatement of their recently dismissed lawsuit against Antioch University.

In 2007 members of the former faculty of Antioch College filed a lawsuit alleging that Antioch University violated the Antioch “College Faculty Personnel Policies”. According to this contractual document, the University is mandated to seek “less drastic means” to closure through “consultation” with the College’s Administrative Council, AdCil. Specifically, the University is required to work with AdCil to development “a plan and timetable for abating financial emergency” or closure. The faculty lawsuit alleges that Antioch University officers refused to meet with AdCil to develop this plan or explore less drastic means.

A ruling on the appeal is expected sometime within the next 12 weeks.

For background information see The College Faculty website

April ___, 2009

«PREFIX» «FIRST NAME» «LAST NAME»

Dear «FIRST NAME»:

The Non-Stop Liberal Arts Institute (“NSLAI”) has played an important role in continuing core elements of the Antioch College experience. Unfortunately, limited resources and constrained circumstances require that College Revival Fund, Inc. cease funding the NSLAI effective June 30, 2009. Regretfully, this decision results in the elimination of your position and the termination of your employment effective June 30, 2009.

In connection with the termination of your employment:

1) If you have coverage under the medical insurance plan, the coverage will cease as of June 30, 2009. You will, however, be eligible to continue to participate in the group plan at your own expense pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”). Information regarding COBRA will be provided to you in the coming weeks.

2) If you are a participant in the 401(k) plan, information regarding the plan will be forwarded to you at home.

3) All material belonging to the College Revival Fund must be returned prior to your last date of employment. This includes, but is not limited to, keys, documents, lists and other information. If you have a computer, it must be returned with all other company property in good operating order, without deleting e-mails and other data. We are providing you with this advance notice in an effort to help you through this period to the greatest degree possible. Thank you for your work to continue the unique educational legacy of Antioch College.

Sincerely yours,

College Revival Fund, Inc.

Nancy Crow
President, Board of Directors

READ THE DOCUMENT (5.0 mb)

Antioch University Chancellor Toni Murdock characterized College President Lawry’s vision for Antioch College as part of “a culture war.” Lawry presented this vision to University Board of Trustees in November 2006. To understand this document in its full context, see The Record article and review the minutes of the meeting in which it was presented.

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The document states:

Campus social life and the health of the learning environment are affected negatively by a comparatively high incidence of mental health problems among students. Dr. Cynthia Olson, director of the Wright State clinic in Yellow Springs, with which the College has a health services contract, has told me that the student body displays an exceptionally high proportion for the age group, of persons with bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders, exacerbated by high co-morbidity with substance abuse (pg 2).

Why it Matters:
Lawry based his assertion and sought to remake the College’s curriculum, tenure of faculty, and student body based on a medical diagnosis of opinion not science. Dr. Cynthia Olson is certified in Family Practice and Geriatric Medicine. She is not a licensed mental health professional.

Dr. Linda Lee Sattem, Ph.D., PCC/S is a licensed mental health professional . The letters, PPC/S stands for “Professional Clinical Counselor / Supervisor”, a license award by the the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Sattem was employed at the College’s Counseling and Wellness Center. She stated, “Antioch students are not different than other college students. Our students do not have more problems, more severe problems or a higher incidence of mental illness.”

READ Sattem’s Response (3.0 mb)

Antioch University Trustees – Open & Closed Minutes – Nov 06

READ THE MINUTES (5.5 mb)

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

Art mentioned that he attended the Academic Affairs Committee retreat late August and urged his fellow trustees to read the minutes of that retreat (pg 3).

Why it Matters:
The Academic Affairs Committee minutes state the number of tenured faculty at Antioch College has dropped from 64 to 45 and “of these 45 faculty positions, 6-9 positions” will no longer be tenured (pg 3). The Academic Affairs Committee minutes state the University can release faculty “for reasons of financial exigency, irrespective of contract appointment status”(pg 8); and that the University has the right “to reassign faculty from the unit to which they are currently assigned to another unit with a different mission” (pg 9).
READ the Academic Affair Committee minutes (3.0 mb)

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

[Trustee] Larry [Stone] was pleased to see the support for Steve [Lawry] around the table and pointed out that not everyone will agree with his analysis, that some will see Steve as the problem. Lack of community and the toxicity are real problems, he said, which were identified by the NCA well before Steve arrived (pg 5).

Why it Matters:
The last NCA evaluation of Antioch College that occurred “well before Steve arrived” took place in 2002. A review of this evaluation does not support Trustee Stone’s claims.
READ the 2002 NCA Evaluation (3.2 mb)

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

College Update. Steve Lawry gave an update on the cultural state of the College and… a realignment of faculty to meet new needs. His report is on file with these minutes (pg 5).

Why it Matters:
Antioch College President Steve Lawry’s report used false reporting about the students’ mental health as a pretense for tenure reductions and to attack student culture.
See President Lawry’s Report and The Record article about it

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

[Antioch University Chancellor] Toni [Murdock] recognized the courage it takes to fight a culture war, how it takes a toll on the leader, in this case [Antioch College President] Steve [Lawry], and underscored the support Steve is receiving from the ULC [University Leadership Council] (pg 6).

Why it Matters:
How Antioch University reconciles mutual respect, intellectual freedom, and open inquiry with cultural warfare remains to be seen.

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

The meeting was adjourned about 4:00PM so everyone could make their way to the McGregor Campus West ground-breaking ceremony at the northwest end of the Village (pg 6).

Why it Matters:
See Petition to the Attorney General – Appendix F- Memo, Re: McGregor Bond

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

Barbara Winslow recalled the resistance by faculty to the new curriculum…[Steve Lawry said] he would include faculty but leadership would make the decisions (pg 9).

Why it Matters:
Lawry’s plan is yet another administrative take-over of the College’s curriculum.

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

Bruce [Bedford] suggested that the new plan needs a cultural element:”‘The Renewal Commission’s plan did not include this and we shouldn’t go forward without it this time” (pg 9).

Why it Matters:
Finance Committee Chairman Bruce Bedford gives a whole new meaning to the term “Cultural Studies.”

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The Nov 06 minutes state:

David W was asked to speak to the Donor Bill of Rights (17).

Why it Matters:
See Petition to the Attorney General – Appendix A – Failure to Inform Donors/Alumni

Fifteen Greene County, Ohio residents submitted a petition to the Ohio Attorney General asking for an investigation of Antioch University.