Antioch University eliminates leaders at all campuses

Antioch University has disbanded its boards of trustees at all five of its U.S. campuses and is making major leadership changes as part of a large reorganization.

This may include terminating the presidents of its campuses in Yellow Springs, New England, Los Angeles, Seattle and Santa Barbara, according to a report in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

William Groves, interim chancellor of the Antioch University system, which has its administrative offices in Yellow Springs, sent an open letter to the university community saying the changes “will help us to be an even stronger institution now and in the future.”

He wrote that, effective immediately, the universities would be governed directly by a systemwide Board of Governors instead of individual boards of trustees at the five schools.

“At the heart of this initiative is concern for our students, current and in the future, particularly creating and enhancing our innovative, reflective and experiential approach that has long characterized our academic environment,” he wrote.

University officials could not be reached to confirm any other leadership changes. But Steve Jones, president of Antioch University New England, posted to his LinkedIn account: “June 27, 2016, the Antioch University system announced that it is deeply consolidating operations and eliminating all five campus presidents, their administrative assistants, and the campus Boards of Trustees.”

The private, non-profit Antioch University system, including the Yellow Springs campus known as Antioch University Midwest, separated from the historic liberal arts college now known at Antioch College several years ago.

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