Antioch College closes; Former profs keep on teaching

Dave_Berry · 07-11-2008, 10:30 AM

DAYTON -- Former teachers at Antioch College, which is temporarily closing amid financial problems, plan to teach in coffee shops, bookstores and parks to keep alive the spirit of the liberal arts school known for producing graduates with a passion for free thinking and social activism . . .

. . . the school will have no administrators, but all members of the school community -- faculty, students, staff, union workers -- will have a say in making decisions . . .

. . . Located about 15 miles east of Dayton, Antioch College is known for its pioneering academic programs that produce students with a passion for free thinking and social activism. Famous alumni included Coretta Scott King and "Twilight Zone" creator Rod Serling.

As Antioch College closes, former profs continue teaching - Cleveland Metro News – The Latest Breaking News, Photos and Stories from The Plain Dealer

YOU · 07-11-2008, 11:04 AM

If only HYPMS can donate 0.1% of their endowments to the college, this won't even happen

olgita · 07-11-2008, 11:14 AM

But they won't.
Capitalism, baby.

leah377 · 07-11-2008, 11:19 AM

this is sad..my uncle went to antioch and then harvard for grad school..

Sally_Rubenstone · 07-11-2008, 01:13 PM

I suspect that one key factor behind Antioch's struggles is that so many East and West coast students won't consider a Midwest college, even for a nanosecond (barring a handful of notable exceptions, e.g., U. of Chicago, Northwestern, WUSTL).

There are many terrific colleges that get overlooked when students flip past the heartland schools in their guidebooks without so much as a glance.

Students should keep in mind that, when making grad-school admission decisions, adcoms are looking for diversity, just as undergrad admission officials are. They want to admit applicants from a broad swath of institutions. So being a star at colleges like Beloit, Coe, St. Olaf, Lawrence and many others in the Midwest can provide not only a superb undergrad experience but also perhaps a leg up for those planning to continue their formal education elsewhere.

taxguy · 07-11-2008, 01:31 PM

Sally notes,"I suspect that one key factor behind Antioch's struggles is that so many East and West coast students won't consider a Midwest college, even for a nanosecond (barring a handful of notable exceptions, e.g., U. of Chicago, Northwestern, WUSTL)."

Response: Are you kidding? There are dozens of desirable schools selected by both east and west coast students. How about: Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan,Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oberlin, Grinnell ( which is becoming the "in" lac), University of Illinois, Illinois Institute of Tech, SAIC and hundreds of other smaller schools.

NorthMinnesota · 07-11-2008, 01:37 PM

But Sally...perhaps even CC has a part in this when some very good LACs and small universities aren't available on CC's alphabetic list. Finding info or asking questions is hard when no one knows about these schools.

leah377 · 07-11-2008, 01:43 PM

also, antioch's heyday was back when communal living and what essentially were alternative forms of education were fashionable. once the hippies graduated and grew up, they had a hard time finding young people to carry on the legacy.

mommusic · 07-11-2008, 03:03 PM

We don't live that far from Yellow Springs, and we keep meaning to do a road trip just to enjoy the small-town college atmosphere (coffeehouses, bookstores, etc.)

Guess we should go sooner rather than later.

MamaDrama · 07-11-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Former teachers at Antioch College, which is temporarily closing amid financial problems, plan to teach in coffee shops, bookstores and parks to keep alive the spirit of the liberal arts school known for producing graduates with a passion for free thinking and social activism .

Boy, those professional college students will do anything to avoid getting a real job now won't they? I used to live near Yellow Springs and the town had a tendency to not be very big on yard work, tree pruning, grass cutting, every yard was overgrown. I am positive it was to hide the marijuana crops.

I hope HaHa Pizza stays open, that place was a mainstay. Along with the Birkenstock and bong shops.

DaFunk · 07-11-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

I used to live near Yellow Springs and the town had a tendency to not be very big on yard work, tree pruning, grass cutting, every yard was overgrown. I am positive it was to hide the marijuana crops.

I doubt it. No one with half a brain would grow marijuana in their front yard.

MamaDrama · 07-11-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

I doubt it. No one with half a brain would grow marijuana in their front yard.

You've never been to Yellow Springs have you? It's a Haight-Ashburyesque time warp in a tiny town in the middle of Ohio. You'd be surprised what you see. The hippy culture was alive and well the last time I lived near by about 15 years ago.

Lumine · 07-11-2008, 03:53 PM

That is really, really cool of the professors.

Cincinnatistudent · 07-11-2008, 04:08 PM

Yellow Springs is a cool town.

dis-grace · 07-11-2008, 04:22 PM

Having grown up in Ohio, I wouldn't think this has to do with people from other places not going to the school. I think it has to do with Ohians not going. Antioch, as awesome as it may theoretically be, had a bad reputation among many people in the area. Also, as I believe was pointed out in the thread started when the news of Antioch closing was first announced, Antioch is not exactly conducive to creating magnates who will later donate millions of dollars.