Board members delay decision on future of Antioch College
1:15 AM
Posted: Sunday, October 28, 2007
YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (AP) -- Antioch College board members postponed a decision Saturday on whether to reverse their decision to temporarily close the college, telling about 200 alumni, faculty and students that they'll continue debating for several more days.
"We are dealing with very complex, long-standing matters of critical importance and we simply need more time to deliberate" said Art Zucker, the chairman of the board of trustees.
The private 155-year-old liberal arts college announced in June that because of declining enrollments, heavy dependence on tuition and a small endowment, it would close after the spring term, reorganize and reopen in 2012.
On Thursday, alumni formally asked the trustees to reverse the decision, saying they had raised $18 million primarily in pledges to keep the school going.
Since then, the two groups have been meeting behind closed doors hashing out and debating the alumni proposal.
A decision was expected Saturday, but instead Zucker and Nancy Crow, a trustee and alumni board president, told those gathered at a community center that discussions could continue into next week, with some board members possibly voting by telephone.
Most reacted quietly to Zucker and Crow's announcement, although some audible sighs could be heard.
"I was disappointed because we've been waiting for a clear answer," said Jeanne Kay, 22, a second-year student from Cadenet, France.
The alumni plan calls for raising $25 million in donations to assist the college in the 2008 school year and then a five-year, $100 million fundraising drive beginning in 2009. The school's current annual operating budget is $18 million.
Antioch supporters this week planted black and gold "Save Antioch College" signs along a forest path that leads to the building where officials held their deliberations.
The signs were planted by Antioch supporters who wanted to make sure the trustees know how they feel about the private, 155-year-old school with a pioneering academic program that produces students with a passion for freethinking and social activism.
"Four months ago, the board of trustees said it was important to realize that their decision was made and we have to accept it. Now it's clear that they are negotiating," said Jerry Bellow, a 1997 graduate from Austin, Texas. "If they are going to drag their feet for a couple of days, well, it's mean, but we're going to get what we want."
An endowment of only $30 million and heavy dependence on tuition revenue amid declining enrollment have hurt the 230-student school in southwest Ohio, about 15 miles east of Dayton.
Alumni fear that temporarily closing the college will scare off badly needed donors and make it difficult to recruit faculty and attract new students when the school reopens.
"We are dealing with very complex, long-standing matters of critical importance and we simply need more time to deliberate" said Art Zucker, the chairman of the board of trustees.
The private 155-year-old liberal arts college announced in June that because of declining enrollments, heavy dependence on tuition and a small endowment, it would close after the spring term, reorganize and reopen in 2012.
On Thursday, alumni formally asked the trustees to reverse the decision, saying they had raised $18 million primarily in pledges to keep the school going.
Since then, the two groups have been meeting behind closed doors hashing out and debating the alumni proposal.
A decision was expected Saturday, but instead Zucker and Nancy Crow, a trustee and alumni board president, told those gathered at a community center that discussions could continue into next week, with some board members possibly voting by telephone.
Most reacted quietly to Zucker and Crow's announcement, although some audible sighs could be heard.
"I was disappointed because we've been waiting for a clear answer," said Jeanne Kay, 22, a second-year student from Cadenet, France.
The alumni plan calls for raising $25 million in donations to assist the college in the 2008 school year and then a five-year, $100 million fundraising drive beginning in 2009. The school's current annual operating budget is $18 million.
Antioch supporters this week planted black and gold "Save Antioch College" signs along a forest path that leads to the building where officials held their deliberations.
The signs were planted by Antioch supporters who wanted to make sure the trustees know how they feel about the private, 155-year-old school with a pioneering academic program that produces students with a passion for freethinking and social activism.
"Four months ago, the board of trustees said it was important to realize that their decision was made and we have to accept it. Now it's clear that they are negotiating," said Jerry Bellow, a 1997 graduate from Austin, Texas. "If they are going to drag their feet for a couple of days, well, it's mean, but we're going to get what we want."
An endowment of only $30 million and heavy dependence on tuition revenue amid declining enrollment have hurt the 230-student school in southwest Ohio, about 15 miles east of Dayton.
Alumni fear that temporarily closing the college will scare off badly needed donors and make it difficult to recruit faculty and attract new students when the school reopens.
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