- G

I am a Yellow Springs resident and a recent graduate of McGregor’s ILPS program.

Two years ago, I may have agreed with Ms. Jennings comments. That was two years ago…

Ms. Jennings, I believe that it is you that needs to get outside for some sunshine and fresh air. The student body has evolved. I am so proud to live in this community and to be connected with the community at Antioch College. the students have been amazing throughout this whole ordeal.

Have I disagreed with some of the issues? Sure, that is what is great about the social freedoms we enjoy. Do the students always agree with each other, faculty, staff, citizens of YS? No…but that is their right. Have they been extremist? Sure. But that is also their right.

After the June 12th announcement, an amazing thing happened…everybody on campus started listening to each other instead of talking at each other. They found a unifying cause that has provided them with an unrivaled education.

More than that, the alumni, students faculty and staff have shown the world what an education at Antioch can do when it comes to organizing for social justice.

At the same time, I feel that Gaël has made some strong and overly-broad statements that are an equal reaction to Ms. Jennings missive.

For both of you, there is truth in the middle ground. Websites such as the Blaze act as a catalyst to begin much-needed discussion.

The world needs Antioch College now more than ever.

Mark.

During Bob Devine’s time as president Antioch saw a massive drop in attrition by simply offering an automatic $300 to students that were going on Co-op to make it more affordable, and therefore preventing them from leaving the school because the Co-op program was to difficult without a financial kick-start. I feel that it is fairly clear that the “toxic culture” isn’t driving away, but maybe the lack of institutional support, which is hard to come by when you have a nineteen person board whose total annual donations amount to a paltry $25,000. Maybe the high attrition has to do with an administration drunk with power firing the people who are responsible for advocating on behalf of the students.

Maybe the easy conclusion: blame the radical, extremist eighteen year-old “kids” for destroying the college–is a good way of avoiding the arduous task of blaming those in positions of power, who are supposed to be responsible for the health of the institution.

But again, these are just a bunch of maybes, and I’m just some “toxic” eighteen year-old who lacks the “ideals and vision” of those before me, so what do I know?

- G

The only thing missing from this typical “Everyone is trying to do everything they can to close Antioch” perspective is somehow including the obligatory blame of George W Bush.

Why is Antioch “closing?” It isn’t because there is a grand conspiracy to close the college - its because less than 300 students were attending.

Perhaps it’s time to admit that the ideals and vision of Antioch graduates is gone. Perhaps the toxic culture of Antioch scares away people.

I want Antioch to be saved - but I do believe its needs major changing.