Antioch News Release Date: June 28, 2004 ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES SWEEPING VISION TO RENEW ANTIOCH COLLEGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Board of Trustees Approves Preliminary Plan to Transform Antioch College's Curriculum with Cutting-Edge New Program CONTACT: Dan Kaplan (603) 313-1871 Joan Straumanis (937) 769-1260 Yellow Springs (OH), February 17, 2004 - Following its recent meeting in Santa Barbara, CA, the Antioch University Board of Trustees, together with Antioch University Chancellor Jim Craiglow and Antioch College President Joan Straumanis, announced an integrated three-part vision to renew Antioch College for the 21st Century. Modernizing Antioch College's Curriculum: At its meeting, the Board gave its enthusiastic approval to a preliminary plan presented by the Renewal Commission, a group appointed last year by Chancellor Craiglow and the Board of Trustees. The plan would transform Antioch's curriculum with a unique learning program called Experiential Learning Communities (ELCs). The new ELC curriculum draws upon cutting edge research in learning environments that shift the focus to student-centered learning, supported by faculty, staff and educational technology. Unlike learning communities as they are delivered at other institutions, Antioch will be the first college in the nation to incorporate a highly-integrated experiential component, incorporating both co-ops and other out-of-the-classroom work that have long set Antioch apart among institutions of higher education. "This is the most important news to come out of Antioch College in more than a decade, if not a generation," said Antioch University Board of Trustees Chairman Dan Kaplan. "This unique plan will improve student outcomes, increase enrollment and retention, and reconfirm Antioch's position in the forefront of American higher education." Antioch College President Joan Straumanis said, "Antioch has always been an innovator - and this plan will help ensure the next 150 years of Antioch's leadership." The Mellon Foundation awarded Antioch a grant to fund further development of the plan, which will be assisted by the Antioch College faculty. The final plan, which will be presented to the Board of Trustees in June, is expected to be fully implemented in time for the Antioch College entering class of 2006. In the coming months, current students will be able to take pilot courses as the plan is refined. Increasing Antioch College's Endowment: The Campaign Cabinet Committee announced to the Board of Trustees that the Capital Campaign formally launched only four months ago has already raised more than half of its target goal of $65 million. The campaign has now raised $32.6 million. "The Campaign for Antioch College is off to a tremendous start," Campaign Chair Robert Krinsky said, "in large part because of a new enthusiasm and belief that Antioch College is still an innovative force in American higher education." The Campaign will raise new funds to improve the physical plant, strengthen academic programs, and support a broad range of other improvements, including increased scholarships. Krinsky, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said "We are very excited by this remarkable response to our Campaign for Antioch College - and we've only just begun." The Campaign was formally launched in October of 2004 and will continue through 2007. Putting Antioch College's Fiscal House in Order: Finally, the Board approved the University and College management's plan to restore the College to solid, sustainable financial health. The budget stabilization plan is designed to create sustainable fiscal strength through a series of measures, including increased revenues and operational savings. Just as important, the College is putting in place a new set of fiscal tools and improvements to enable the College administration to better control and monitor the budget. "A stable future can only be built upon a stable foundation," said Chancellor Jim Craiglow. "The budget stabilization plan will greatly decrease the College's financial dependence on the University, paving the way for a stronger, more vital Antioch." Details of the plan will be made available in the coming days. Chairman Kaplan said, "With an exciting new curriculum underway, the Capital Campaign in full swing and ahead of schedule, and the new commitment to financial responsibility, Antioch College will be well-positioned for the future. We are confident that this uniquely integrated, three-part plan will ensure the College's stability for generations to come." Antioch College, founded in 1852, is part of Antioch University, which includes the Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire; Antioch University Seattle in Washington; Antioch University Southern California in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara; and Antioch University McGregor in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The University’s administrative offices are also located in Yellow Springs. For 150 years, Antioch has been a leader in higher education, long known for its commitment to educational innovation and social justice.