I’m an alum of the BA and Master's in Clinical Psychology programs at Antioch University Los Angeles. I was heartbroken and frustrated to read about the Coalition for the Common Good's attempt to overtake Antioch. The amount of power that they took on was flat out against what I had read the coalition as being when that partnership was announced. I was initially happy to hear that there was a partnership of non-profits, as it seemed like it would expand the program options and also protect non-profits like Antioch from closing. This attempted outcome is devastating as the power desired to imbalance the coalition from the stated goals showed greed from the non-Antioch side of the coalition. I was curious why no other non-profits besides Otterbein had joined the Coalition after a number of years. But it seems like Antioch was seeking more information on the current partnership’s sustainability. This makes sense as to why things stalled, and a coercive power grab occurred later.
I’m disturbed that one part of the coalition attempted to do this, as we have been through too much turmoil over the federal government undermining common decency and human rights.
Please, please, please prevail and keep Antioch standing. It has hurt for months as I’ve awaited information. This is all very overwhelming. I had another school close that I attended, which was a non-profit, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles campus, with the decision being based on New York being the primary campus due to finances and sustainability. But even with that, there has been bad blood as to whether Los Angeles really had to close if leadership at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts hadn’t saturated the power in New York, leaving Los Angeles without a say.
I’m seeing a thing play out where the playing fields are being viewed as uneven again, which is antithetical to the mission in the first place.
Do not give up Antioch University! This is very disturbing. But there was a controversial structural change that the Los Angeles campus didn’t like that occurred while in school at Antioch to centralize operations. So, please pull yourselves out but establish a governance where there is competence if that is even an issue I don’t know at all. I have honestly been disappointed in how Antioch has communicated changes or not communicated since I graduated. So please do not close. But when establishing a coalition or partnership, ensure the contracts are ironclad and don’t assume anything that might even be a grey area. Perhaps social justice schools have a tendency to hope for the best versus do what is best for independence? This is all not based on anything but thought. But there was quite a concerning time years ago but this current action is scary.
Please gather everyone and implement procedures that prevent this from occurring ever again!
Sincerely,
Patrick Tully (MA class of 2017; started with BA completion program).