Someone posted a comment there that I responded to just now but I wanted to include my response here so I could keep all my Antioch thought’s in one place.
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First off, saying that [i] “heavy participation in Antioch’s governance by students and faculty did not prevent its failure”[/i] shows a pretty deep misunderstanding about what exactly caused the college to be closed. I don’t want to get into this debate here but I suggest you read up on some of the well documented summaries about what happened regarding the college’s finances and the oversite by Antioch University. It’s easy to imply that the ‘old Antioch’ just failed on it’s own but, by many accounts ‘Humpty Dumpty was pushed’. However this isn’t the point of this discussion and I’d rather ‘agree to disagree’ and move on instead of pointing blame throwers and theorizing on what might have been.

For the record, I don’t imagine that I could manage anything in YS remotely, or even in person, or that my limited skills apply that well to the college’s current needs. However, I believe trust is earned and if we aren’t informed about what decisions are being made, and why they are made, and are not offered the respect to give us a chance to at least share ideas and participate in discussions, then I find it difficult to extend that trust.

You may be correct that all the suggestions that may be made by volunteers have already been considered. However why not open this channel and spend the effort to allow those alumni who wish to be ‘part of the conversation’ a chance to partipate? By doing this we create a chance for those who partipate to feel a sense of ownership in the ‘new’ college.

I’ve been struggling on how to summarize my feelings about the new college these days and I think it boils down to this. While I had a love/hate relationship with Antioch before it’s closure, I still had, admittedly illogical but yet undeniable, ‘heart strings’ to the college. I felt a connection with it that extended beyond any sound reason, and it was this that kept me coming back and trying to help however I could. It’s the remnants of this ‘lost love’ that keep me here today, but thanks to the closure, the firing of all the staff and faculty and then, to add insult to injury the abandonment of the Nonstop folks, I do not have a ‘deep’ connection with the new college.

I’m trying to find a way ‘fall in love with Antioch again’ and I believe the only way this can happen for me… and for others too.. is to allow for more input and involvement by alumni.

You’ll note in my messages I never said ‘Participatory Democracy’ and I never said that decisions should be made by majority vote of alumni etc. All I’ve suggested here is that those making the decisions seek input and discuss things with those of us who care enough to be involved. Even simple things like having minutes of meetings documenting what has been decided and who to ask for more information would be huge steps forward.

The point of my messages that I posted here was to explain why I have been feeling frustrated and disconnected. If the college believes it needs to limit alumni involvement to writing a check or painting a wall at a volunteer work party, then I wish them well but it’s not something I feel a part of or feel the need to support.

Perhaps some would prefer that some currently active alumni would either shut up or leave. Maybe it would be best if those of us who try to stay as informed as possible about what’s going on, don’t blindly accept what they are told in the alumni publications and question decisions by the current leaders would leave and let things be. If the college continues on the track it’s been on recently, I will certainly no longer be around asking questions.

Writing this and the above notes is part of my letting go process really. In order to clear my conscience I felt I needed to at least extend the college admin folks the respect to explain how I was feeling, what problems I saw and offer suggestions for remedies. If the college chooses to ignore me then hey, at least I tried and I can exit with my conscience clear.

Thanks for listening. -Matt ’92

Warren turned in a shock to look at me, shrugged his shoulders a little and said “do it again”. Later that day we all laughed about it.

I also remember driving thru the Chicagoland area with Warren in his beat up old Lincoln Continental when we were stopped by the police because of the red light on the roof. The officer asked what was that on the roof. Warren gave the dead pan response “a red light”. What could the officer say?

I rode in that ambulance into Xenia in 1974 and spent many hours that night with him. That also led to change my life.

I have many fond memories of Warren and will always cherish them.

Stew Lauterbach MD, Antioch 72

A few more from Garrison Keillor:

There are the folks in Lake Woebegon who have a big satellite dish and get 500 channels on their TV – including the surgery channel, the fishing channel, and the Unitarian Channel, which is what the fishing channel would be like if they didn’t actually put the fish hooks and lines in the water, but just sat around and discussed whether or not there really are fish.

A sign at the Unitarian church said: Bible study at 7:00. Bring your Bible and a pair of scissors.

Why is it dangerous to tick off a Unitarian? He might burn a question mark in your front lawn.

A bride went to her dressmaker and asked her to make a negligee for her honeymoon. She brought yards and yards and yards of fabric. The dressmaker asked, “What’s with all this material?” Her answer: “My husband is a Unitarian and he prefers searching to finding.”

What is the most moving part of a Unitarian service? Answer: When the members of the congregation stand and, in a single firm voice, recite the hypothesis.

Hoping for a good outcome with the vote!

BL