Board Establishes Renewal Commission for Antioch College

Antioch College is a founding member of a new organization known as the Eco League, a consortium of six schools who have programming in environmental studies, an interest in environmental advocacy and are seeking ways to create “green” campuses. Other members in the exciting cooperative venture include: the College of the Atlantic, Prescott College, Green Mountain College, Northland College, and Alaska Pacific College.

At its June 2003 meeting, the Antioch University Board of Trustees voted to direct the Chancellor, Jim Craiglow, and the Chair of the Board, Dan Kaplan ’76, to establish a special commission charged with the responsibility of developing a plan, strategy and timetable for the renewal of Antioch College. This Antioch College Renewal Commission was formed following a careful examination of historical budgetary information, admissions and retention data, and issues and opportunities which were identified in the ten-year North Central Association accreditation review of Antioch University. The unspoken macro-question was, “If Arthur Morgan was facing these issues and questions, how might he respond?”

The Board’s comprehensive charge to the Commission focused on four main concerns, each with sub-set questions. These included: an educational vision which will enable the College to flourish while simultaneously preserving core values, the centrality of experiential education within a liberal arts context; determination of structures that can be established to ensure long-term fiscal viability; facilitating effective leadership and a campus climate where the mission thrives; and strengthening relationships with the larger University community. In essence, most everything was put on the table for examination and consideration with an expressed desire to see renewal in far broader terms than small incremental changes and Band-Aids.

While it is expected that the Commission membership will grow by a few over the next month or so, the following members have been appointed: Jim Craiglow, Chancellor; Dan Kaplan ’76, Laura Markham ’80, Dan Fallon ’61 and Everette Freeman ’72, Trustees; Joan Straumanis ’57, President of Antioch College; Peter Temes, President of Antioch New England Graduate School; Pat Linn and Andrzej Bloch, Antioch College faculty; Bonnie Scranton, Antioch College Registrar; Al Guskin, University President Emeritus and Co-Director of the Project on the Future of Higher Education; Jane Jervis, former President of Evergreen State College; and Tom Clough, Financial and Educational Consultant.

At its initial meeting in Yellow Springs on September 30, 2003, the Renewal Commission examined and analyzed a substantial amount of data. The Commission established working protocols, determined a work structure and flow, and planned for the future with a series of next steps that fit within the framework of the charge. The Commission asserted the importance of regular communication and the establishment of channels for dialogue, input and reaction.

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