[Alumni-chat] mood on campus

[Caeli93 (caelimg at yahoo.com)]

Wow.. This is a powerful letter. I think that is very succinct in expressing the feelings many of us feel... but especially the parents.

I just came across a former alumn who came to reunion but is now upset at the school because his transcripts were not sent over in a timely manner.

These are serious issues. I don't blame folks at the College.. I think most are doing as well as they can under the confusion and circumstances. However, I am concerned that the University administration is not providing the support that will continue the smooth operations.  I mean.. sure.. you have a plan that it will close.. but don't shortchange current students and alum in the process. 

It would would be bad PR on their part to shoot themselves in the foot thus ruining what quality was there by making it impossible for the school to do what it needs to do.  Don't put an additional bitter taste in the mouths of folks who seek to support this school.

Thanks for sharing this letter.

Namaste
Peace
Caeli93

>>THanks for sharing your impressions, Scott.
>>
>>
>>>The optimism and hope that the College will stay open grows daily.  I'm
>>>convinced that many (probably most) of us are sharing that optimism.  The
>>>Alumni Board and the Faculty are working together on a business plan to
>>>keep the College open, and it is very impressive indeed.  So, there are
>>>many reasons for hope amidst the struggles and challenges.
>>
>I sent this email to Ms. La Pierre today.  I needed to vent.
>
>Ms.  LaPierre:
>
>I am writing to you as the parent of a freshman student at Antioch College.  It is the only school my daughter wanted to attend; the only school to which she applied.  Therefore, when we found out that the Board of Trustees decided to close the school, we were devastated.  My daughter did not talk about it for an entire week.  And, then one day, she announced that she would still go, it made no sense to stay home for a year, and, at the least, she would have a year of the "Antioch experience."
>
>I am happy to say that she adjusted very quickly to Antioch, to being away, to living in a dorm,etc.  She is happy at Antioch, likes her classes, her teachers, her roommate and her new friends.  And, she likes all of this in spite of all of the negativity that has occurred.
>
>Every day I log onto the Antioch forum to see what is happening in the fight to save Antioch.  Some postings leave me depressed:  cutbacks in the cafeteria, the library, security, the bookstore, faculty and administration.  Other postings leave me heartened:  the students are bright, intelligent; the professors are happy to have this group to teach; the alumni have raised $12 million  and are continuing to find ways to raise more money. I have been most impressed with the tenacity and dedication of the alumni.  Regardless of how this struggle ends, they deserve our thanks for their hard work.
>
>As a parent, I feel that I am in limbo. One foot in Antioch; the other foot thinking about transfers.  One foot realizing that I am paying tuition for a school that is not providing the full scope of services we were promised.  One foot thinking about Plan B.  One foot very, very angry that we were sold a bill of goods with absolutely no hint that the school was in trouble until it was too late to do anything about it.  The other foot hoping that Antioch can be saved because my daughter wants to stay.
>
>Put yourself in our shoes.  How would you feel if you were us?  How would you feel if you were the students?  As parents, we want only the very best for our children. We want them to be happy and healthy.  We want them to become independent people who can offer something positive to society.  Antioch offered that.  And still does.
>
>I have a mantra.  "It is what it is and I am doing the best that I can."  Ms. LaPierre, I hope you are doing the best that YOU can.
>
>Shelley Sperling
>
>
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.