DOWNEAST ANTIOCH ALUMNI CHAPTER–SUMMARY OF MARCH 8, 2008 MEETING

Snowed out of its scheduled meeting on March 1, six Antiochians gathered a week later at the home of Art and Marj Dole ‘46 despite threatening weather.

Matt Baya ‘92 brought us up to date on ACAN activities and the latest news about negotiations between the University Board of Trustees and the newly created ACCC (Antioch College Continuation Corporation).

*  ACAN (Antioch College Alumni Network) is an independent group of former Community Managers that   favors a free standing residential  liberal arts college. It is under no  obligation to the University and its Board of Trustees. It supports such recent   efforts as Antioch in Exile that would move activities to Yellow Springs if the campus is closed and Non Stop Antioch that would continue the College in academic 2008-9, whatever the BOT does.

*  Negotiations between BOT and ACCC are continuing despite confusing news reports released by BOT representatives that the College will close  in June 2008.

*  The faculty will probably reactive its suit against the University on Monday, March 10, with the resumption of depositions.

*  A strike by Yellow Springs stakeholders–including students, faculty staff, villagers, alums, etc.–is scheduled to begin at the new McGregor building on March 15.

*  Matt distributed hard copies of “The Antioch Papers: Antioch Confidential” (17pp) and note that its companion video was available for downloading.

*  Matt recommended www.antiochians.org as the best way for those with computers to keep in touch with Yellow Springs events. Those without computers can subscribe to the Yellow Springs News or the Record.

Among opinions expressed by those present: The Trustees have mismanaged Antioch College since Jim Dixon’s presidency; for instance, they have meddled with the curriculum without sufficiently consulting the faculty and  have ignored  community governance. . . They have not negotiated in  good faith…Pledges to support the Revival fund are welcome but may be  with held by alums pending a satisfactory resolution of current negotiations or offered with qualifications.

The Downeast Chapter alums present agreed to meet next when new developments warrant.

(Summary prepared by Art Dole.)

Last Modified : March 11th, 2008 Filed under : Maine Navigate : Previous post / Next post