ANTIOCH BOARD AND UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TO WORK WITH ALUMNI BOARD
Productive weekend results in intent to work together
YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO – Following an extraordinary and special meeting focused on listening to the Antioch community, the Antioch University Board of Trustees approved a resolution to work with the College Alumni Board to allow the Alumni Board to demonstrate, by the October 2007 Board of Trustees meeting, the financial and academic feasibility of the College Alumni Board’s proposal for the continued operation of the College.
The Trustees stipulated that the Alumni Board’s proposal will need to develop a realistic business plan with required benchmarks as established by the Trustees, the Chancellor and the University Leadership Council.
To assist with the plan’s creation, the Board resolved to work closely with the Alumni Board and to provide due diligence access to all financial data of the college, consistent with state and federal regulations. At the Board of Trustees’ direction, Board Chair Arthur Zucker will appoint representatives of the Board of Trustees and University administration to work in conjunction with the Alumni Board.
Antioch College News Release
Chair Zucker emphasized the basis of the decision focused on the unprecedented energy, sharing of constructive ideas, and commitment of time and money to the College by its alumni and other stakeholders.
“We want to engage the alumni,” he said, “and take advantage of the opportunity this renewed enthusiasm presents and to see if the Alumni Board can further develop their proposal to ensure the continued viability of the College.” However, Chair Zucker also cautioned “in addition to a business plan, there is much more work that needs to be done, not the least of which, is the need to raise substantial funds in a very short time period.”
The Trustees accepted the College Alumni Board’s offer to contribute to “various costs including, but not limited to, the support of the efforts of the current College Development office.”
Further, the Board affirmed through their resolution that no actions will be taken by the Trustees to endanger the financial stability and academic excellence of Antioch University McGregor or any of the other University campuses.
In a separate vote, the Board of Trustees stated its commitment, through the work of its Governance Committee, to consider the possibility of establishing a board of trustees for Antioch College with significant authority within the framework of a larger Antioch University. The Committee is scheduled to provide a progress report to Board of Trustees in October.
Chairman Zucker strongly emphasized his appreciation to the entire Antioch community for their constructive input, energy and willingness to participate in support of the College.
Antioch University consists of six campuses located in four states. Each independent campus has its own distinct academic programs and community life while functioning under the centralized Antioch University organizational umbrella that provides appropriate vision and values along with the cost-effective delivery of services. Antioch University exists to develop individuals who desire to grow in their commitment to the improvement of the human condition through responsible leadership in their careers and communities.
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