Downeast Maine Chapter Meeting - 07/19/08
DOWNEAST ANTIOCH ALUMNI CHAPTER–SUMMARY OF JULY 19, 2008 MEETING
Seven Antiochians met for pot luck lunch at the home of Art & Marj Dole in Trenton
* REUNION - Matthew Baya ‘92 reported on his visit to Yellow Springs for reunion in June. We were very appreciative of recent accomplishments in quest of an independent Antioch College.
* REUNION EVENTS - Matt said the highlight of the reunion, for him was hearing the faculty speak passionately about NONSTOP (see below). Matt will e-mail Youtube video links of the ‘State of the College’ speakers to our list and highly recommended folks view them if possible. A DVD of these and other information is being created and may be available to be sent to individuals, or may just be sent to chapters. Several people asked Matt about the NONSTOP ANTIOCH t-shirt he was wearing which he purchased at reunion and Matt agreed to followup with CRF about getting people information where they could purchase their own.
*THE NONSTOP LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTE, comprising former Antioch faculty, staff and students will carry forward Antioch’s long tradition of educational innovations. Opening in the fall with the village providing space, NONSTOP will offer courses and a variety of shared educational events to full and part-time students. NONSTOP hopes to merge with the new independent Antioch College or, if the College is permanently closed, continue as a free standing private four year institution. Printouts of recent NONSTOP brochures were passed around and Matt will e-mail folks when web versions are available. The website for NONSTOP is nonstopinstitute.org/ but is under construction.
*THE ANTIOCH COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (ACAA) - A copy of the recent press release (Thursday 7/17) was passed around that details how the ACAA Board and the Antioch University Board of Trustees have created a framework for a plan to open an independent Antioch College with support from the Antioch University Board of trustees. The Great Lakes Colleges Association will facilitate negotiations and two grants of $50,000 each have been received. This is the first formal followup to the ‘Keene resolution’ passed by the Board of Trustees in early June.
*THE COLLEGE REVIVAL FUND (CRF) has pledged money to help finance the first year of NONSTOP but is seeking additional donations, not only for NONSTOP but also for support of the faculty lawsuit and possible additional legal actions. The CRF has recently hired a number of former college employees, including former librarian Steve Duffy (bless him) is now in charge of chapter organization.
*THE ANTIOCH COLLEGE FACULTY have reopened its law-suit against Antioch University for breach of contract. There has not been much movement on this lately.
* OTHER LAWSUITS - Several donors to the former Antioch College, including direct descendants of Horace Mann, are considering legal action if negotiations fail. Ellen Borgensen, ACAA Board VP, detailed a number of possible legal actions at Reunion as ‘Plan B’. She mentioned a top law firm in NYC had already donated hundreds of hours of time towards preparing these if they are needed.
* Among opinions expressed by those present at the chapter meeting: There are too many list serves, too many messages, too many redundant repetitive messages, too much back biting and squabbling. Tensions and conflicts among those who love Antioch may be reduced by a more well defined governance structure. One solution might be the creation of a Board of Trustees for NONSTOP who could then select a full time resident of Yellow Springs as president or community manager.
* The Downeast Chapter alums present agreed to meet next tentatively in September in hopes there may be news by then.
(Summary prepared by Art Dole and Matthew Baya)
