On June 30th, forty Antioch alums, former students and supporters met in Chicago to discuss the announced “suspension of activities” of Antioch College from 2008-2012. We unanimously decided that such a “suspension of activities” of Antioch College would lead to its permanent closure as an innovative leader in liberal arts education. We find this unacceptable.
The purpose of the meeting was both to inform people of the current events and to discuss ways in which the 17,000 Antioch alums, along with other supporters of Antioch College, could support the faculty, staff and students of Antioch College to:
- Remain operational;
- Promote the autonomy of Antioch College;
- Become financially sustainable.
Based on the fact that Antioch University announced its decision in June 2007 without prior consultation of the faculty, students, staff or alumni and such an announcement has been met by nearly universal opposition and a flood of promised support for Antioch College, we, Antioch alums, former students and supporters based in the Chicago-area, unanimously demand that the Board of Trustees of Antioch University hold an emergency meeting during the summer of 2007 to reverse its decision to close Antioch College.
The Antioch community of alums, former students and supporters recognizes that Antioch College is facing serious financial difficulties and is eager to work proactively to assuage such difficulties. It is our belief, however, that closing Antioch College will have the opposite effect and we are universally opposed to the measure. We expect that the Board of Trustees of Antioch University will respond to those whom it is tasked to represent and will inform all interested parties (faculty, students, alums, staff and CG) of the emergency meeting. We also expect that this meeting, in the spirit of community government and transparency, will be open to representatives of said interested parties.