Yellow Springs, OH, October 8th and 9th 2007 Antioch College community members cast their ballots for the student initiated community referendum on two issues critical to the survival of Antioch College. College students, faculty, and staff levied a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor of Antioch University, Tulisse Murdock. Also passed was a second referendum that endorsed continuing the operations of the College past the proposed closure date of July 2008, while working towards reformation as an independent and self-governing institution. Community Manager Chelsea Martens stated, “I think that Antioch’s sustainability and livelihood is dependent on its ability to be a self-governing institution [away] from the University.”
The referendums stated Murdock has “violated long-standing Antioch College values, community standards, and the Civil Liberties Code.” This community-wide vote of no confidence in Chancellor Murdock unifies the two pre-existing votes of no confidence in the Chancellor by Antioch College faculty and union staff. The College’s advisory body to the President, Adcil, was concerned and frustrated with the lack of consultation leading to the departure of President Steve Lawry. The community also endorsed a second referendum that advocates independence from the Antioch University system, including a separate Board of Trustees. This referendum posits that Antioch College can maintain operations beyond the 2007-2008 academic year by attaining autonomy and with the support of the College Alumni Board.
In June of 2007, the Antioch University Board of Trustees announced the suspension of College operations effective July 2008. Antioch College, a leader in progressive education, is the only residential campus with tenured faculty in the six-school University system. Currently, a single Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Murdock oversee Antioch University.
To learn more about efforts to keep Antioch College open, go to http://www.antiochians.org
Referendum Issue #1:
Vote of No Confidence in Antioch University Chancellor Tulisse Murdock
Antioch College is grounded in values of democratic shared governance, the worth and dignity of every individual, and the pursuit of social justice. These values have withstood over 150 graduating classes, two world wars, and 21 College Presidents, but right now these values are being threatened more than ever before.
Tulisse Murdock, Chancellor of Antioch University, has violated long-standing Antioch College values, community standards, and the Civil Liberties Code. Line six of the Antioch College Civil Liberties Code states, “We regard these as fundamental necessities of genuine education, individual worth and dignity, and democratic government.” Under Chancellor Murdock’s leadership the Civil Liberties Code has been violated and democratic shared governance has been stifled. The College’s financial stability and reputation have been repeatedly damaged over the past two years by Chancellor Murdock’s administrative decisions, which in many cases also circumvented the College’s shared governance policies. We acknowledge that problems have existed between the College and university long before Chancellor Murdock took office, however, Murdock has failed to bring the two institutions into right relationship and has never been an advocate for the college.
Chancellor Murdock’s removal of President Steven Lawry and her formation of a new administrative team is cause for question. Both President Lawry’s removal, and the formation of a new administrative team, occurred without the consultation of any of the College’s structures of shared governance. Weeks after the fact, Chancellor Murdock came to a meeting of the Administrative Council to answer questions about the recent changes in College administration. We found her answers incomplete and unsatisfactory, and we have yet to receive a candid account of the events of August 31, 2007. The administrative shake-up has damaged the College’s reputation and decision-making abilities at this critical juncture in Antioch’s history.
Moreover, the dehumanizing treatment of the locked-out employees of the Office of Institutional Advancement speaks volumes to Chancellor Murdock’s unprofessional leadership and lack of commitment to ethical standards. Furthermore, we believe the seizure of the Office of Institutional Advancement violated Antioch College’s Statement on Community Standards. That document states, “The theft, seizure or destruction of private or Community property” is grounds for dismissal from the Antioch community. The seizure of the Office of Institutional Advancement on August 31, 2007 not only violated the Statement on Community Standards, but also the Civil Liberties Code in its reference to the individual dignity of those employed in the office. Seizing both the office and the FirstClass accounts of Institutional Advancement employees and going so far as to send illegitimate email replies fictitiously signed by locked-out employees may be illegal, and is a direct violation of the Statement on Community Standards. These activities were initiated without following College policies of democratic shared governance and have only further eroded our trust in the Antioch University Chancellor.
Therefore, in response to these flagrant violations of College policy we are called by our value of social justice to question the legitimacy of the current University administration. We state we have absolutely no confidence in the leadership of Antioch University Chancellor Tulisse Murdock.
Referendum Issue #2:
Vote in favor of the future of Antioch College as an independent and self-governing institution, no longer under the auspices of Antioch University
Antioch College has maintained a proud tradition of educating progressive voices to counter oppression and to create just and sustainable communities for over 155 years. Antiochian leadership has benefited humanity in profound and transformative ways over the past century and a half, and the world needs Antioch now more than ever. Today Antioch College finds itself at the crossroads of its existence. The dedication and leadership shown by the Antioch College Alumni Association over the past few months is a testament to the possibility for institutional change. In order for the College to survive it must break free from University control.
Over the past several years, the University leadership and Board of Trustees have made decisions which have directly and indirectly damaged the College. Antioch University has removed financial decision-making authority from the College, and forced budget cuts which have reduced faculty, support staff, admissions, and development capabilities. The University imposed a “Renewal” curriculum on the College with minimal consultation with the Antioch College community, and then failed to financially support the drastic changes which it had mandated. The results of these poor business decisions have been exacerbated by the disconnected culture of secrecy under which the Board of Trustees and the University operate, culminating in the shocking decision to suspend Antioch College operations in June 2007.
We question the accuracy of the information used by the Board of Trustees to make its decision to suspend College operations in June, and we believe viable solutions to the College’s financial troubles exist. The Alumni Association and College Faculty are developing promising solutions. Options that were not on the table in June of 2007 now seem viable.
Today we, the students, professional educators, and staff members of the Antioch College community, call for our independence from the detrimental governance of Antioch University. We support the formation of an autonomous College Board of Trustees, no longer under the auspices of Antioch University. We intend to continue building a movement that will realize the full potential of our beloved institution.