Antioch College Closing?

Confidential plan for Antioch calls for fewer faculty, no tenure

By Diane Chiddister

At the June meeting when the Antioch University Board of Trustees declared a state of financial exigency for Antioch College and voted to close the college, the trustees were given, among other documents, one labeled “confidential.” The document presented two scenarios for the future of Antioch: first, the closing of the college altogether in 2008 and second, the 2008 suspension of operations with a timeline leading to a reopening several years later. The document describes a re-opened Antioch which reflects, in some ways, the worst fears of current Antioch College faculty: the reopened Antioch would have far fewer full-time faculty, adjuncts as needed and no opportunity for tenure.

The New Antioch Undergraduate Program, or NAUP, would open in September, 2011 with 300 freshman and 15 total core faculty, according to the document, which the News recently obtained.

The seven-page document, dated May 31, 2007, is “a roadmap for the orderly suspension of operations at Antioch College,” the document states. “As in all plans, it is not perfect and should be modified as deemed necessary to implement it in a manner that is in the best interests of the University as a whole and to individuals directly impacted by the decisions.”

In an interview this week, Antioch University spokesperson Mary Lou LaPierre said the confidential document was “drafted in the chancellor’s office” and edited by the university leadership team.

However, according to LaPierre, the plan was “just a skeleton, a draft of a concept.”

Scenario 1: Permanent closure
In this scenario, effective July 1, 2008, Glen Helen and the AEA (Antioch Education Abroad) program staff and their operations “would be transferred to the University and operated as self-sustaining programs under the direction of the Chancellor or her designate. The reduced library and registrar office staff will also report to the Chancellor or her designate.”

According to the document, all records retention projects would be transferred to the University, and a small staff would remain for a specific periods to “assist in the closure of the College and to preserve the facility.” These employees would include a “basic” administrative group, a grounds crew, a building maintenance crew, heating plant staffing and limited security personnel.

Funding for this scenario “would include the cash reserves of the University,” according to the document. “Antioch’s non-residential campuses may be asked to assist in the funding of the closure and related costs. Other funding options will be explored in the transition year prior to the closing, including the sale of some College assets.”

The chancellor would appoint a commission, which would include members of the board, the university leadership group, college alumni and consultants “to determine the long-term closure arrangements such as transcript services and sale of assets.”

Scenario 2: Re-opening
The goal of Scenario 2, according to the document, is to “create a vibrant and innovative undergraduate program for 1,000 to 1,200 students based on the core Antioch mission.”

The vision for Scenario 2 includes a lifelong learning center and the partnering with a development company “to increase the density of the current campus and open remaining areas up for building affordable faculty and retiree housing.” The plan calls for a unification of Antioch University McGregor and the college, under the direction of the chancellor, and also includes the building of a conference center along with “shared services with the community for public performance center, art studio, wellness center, library and open spaces.”

According to the document, the planning for NAUP begins in July and August, 2007, when the chancellor and senior university management “meets with Village leaders to explore land development company options and design the urban village concept of a lifelong learning center and facilities of the College.”

All “staff not essential to the one-year phase-out operation (admissions)” would be laid off in August 2007, according to the document, and staff in other offices would be significantly reduced.

Plans for NAUP would continue in September 2007, with the selection of a design and development commission, composed of several trustees, the chancellor, college president, alumni, McGregor president and village representatives “to create the future campus and fundraising plans.”

The plan to “mothball” campus facilities and maintain the grounds would be developed during winter 2008, at which point WYSO would be moved to Campus West. The chancellor, CFO and university leadership team would “create a plan to repay the restricted funds obligations” to present to the board at its February meeting.

Also in the winter of 2008, the board would approve a new governance model for the university, and identify and engage a land development company, according to the document.

In June 2008, all remaining college employees would be laid off except a “skeleton crew” which would be maintained for the library, development office, public relations, registrar and curriculum design team. Other college functions needed by students would be moved to McGregor or university offices, the document states.

If a land development company has been “engaged,” at this point, according to the plan, the board would approve a detailed three-year plan to open the new college and approve a charge to an academic design team (ADT) to report to the chancellor. The ADT would consist of five academics “that will lead the design process for the new residential undergraduate program.”

However, if the land development company has not been engaged, the college would move toward permanent closure at this time.

Extensive use of focus groups
If the board moves ahead to reopen the college, it will in July 2008 announce a $50 million “Campaign for a New Antioch Undergraduate Program” with 50 percent of the goal already committed by the board, several key donors and the development corporation, according to the plan. At this point, a new university governance system would be implemented, the board would select an interim president of Antioch University Yellow Springs, and a Yellow Springs Board of Trustees would be created.

In September 2008 through February 2009, the ADT would conduct focus groups “to harvest ideas for a 21st century, innovative liberal arts undergraduate program,” the plan states. From March through June 2009, the ADT would organize focus group results into “alternative scenarios in key areas such as curriculum, learning outcomes, pedagogy, technology, community engagement and residence life.”

In July and August 2009, research consultants would design “market survey instruments and focus group methodology to test the alternative scenarios with internal (ULC and selected board members) and external constituencies, including groups of parents, high school students, and high school teachers.”

Based on the research data, the ADT in December 2009 would make the “final design decisions (based on expert opinion and research data) for the New Antioch Undergraduate Program.” The design would include a curriculum outline for four-year programs of study.

In January through August 2010 searches would be conducted for the “first eight permanent core faculty (no tenure) to start September 2010.” The board would give final approvel to the ADT recommendations at its June 2010 meeting, the plan states.

In summer 2010, the admissions staff for the college would be hired, and in August, the ADT would be disbanded.

From July 2010 to April 2011, the first freshman class for NAUP will be recruited, with “significant international recruitment efforts.” From September 2010 to May 2011, the core faculty would create “detailed curriculum in the selected fields of study.”

In September 2010, the university would advertise for a new Antioch University Yellow Springs president, according to the plan. During January 2011 through June 2011, the integration of NAUP and McGregor would be complete. Also during that time, seven additional core faculty would be hired to start in September 2011, making 15 core faculty. “Associate faculty and adjuncts are hired as needed,” according to the plan.

In July 2011, the new president would take office and would be given the year “to build his/her team in regards to academic leadership, CFO, admissions, development and students services while interns hold positions.”

In September 2011, Antioch University Yellow Springs would open its new residential undergraduate program with 300 freshmen, according to the document.

Contact: dchiddister@ysnews.com