[Alumni-chat] Letter from YS for Keep Antioch College Open

[Tim Noble]

Dear Antioch University Board of Trustees,				September 13, 2007


As villagers and recognized stakeholders with an interest in the
future of Antioch College, we are both hopeful and concerned regarding
the fast moving events of recent days. We have been impressed by the
hard work of the Alumni Board, the College faculty, staff, students,
and the many in the Yellow Springs Community who have worked so hard
to keep our beloved Antioch College open.  Out of this crisis,
together we are creating a great opportunity.

We are hopeful because Antioch's Development and Alumni Relations (per
agreement with the Alumni Board and the Antioch University Board of
Trustees) is now under the control of the Alumni Board. Important
steps towards the establishing an independent governance structure for
the College are being negotiated as the necessary foundation to make
significant fundraising possible. The task before us is considerable.

Clearly, in order to accomplish this daunting task, all of us will
need to put our best efforts forward and sustain those efforts over
time. Much creative energy working in concert will be needed; we
cannot afford to be divided or divisive in our actions.

Because such cooperation and trust are needed, we are gravely
concerned by the actions and mixed signals from Toni Murdock, which
continue to undermine these efforts and, in so doing, threaten the
survival of the College.

Distrust was again fanned by her actions taken August 31, when Steve
Lawry, the College President, was abruptly ousted from his position,
banned from the College campus, and directed not to speak to faculty,
staff or students. The same day, without explanation, the Alumni and
Development Office staff were locked out of their emails, their office
locks were changed, and they were directed not to speak to Alumni.

When so much more than trust is needed, these kinds of actions
seriously jeopardize the hard work before us. For this reason, we feel
we must join with the Antioch College faculty and their vote of  no
confidence in the University Chancellor, Toni Murdock. We call upon
the Antioch University Board of Trustees to seriously consider their
support of Ms. Murdock at this time. For time is of the essence.

To succeed in our efforts to save the College, we must all work
together in good faith. Our opportunity is now; this opportunity will
not come again.

Tony Dallas
Don Benning
Donna Sanders
Judith Wolert-Maldonado
Don Wallace
and YS Citizens for Keep Antioch College Open