The College Faculty

Hi Folks,

The Faculty lawsuit has been moving forward steadily, though quietly. I’ve taken the baton from Peter Townsend in coordinating communication, and thought that we’re way past due in providing an update on the various pieces of the legal puzzle that have been unfolding during the past few months.

a) Some may know that Eric Bates, one of the ACCC negotiators, was deposed June 26th.  Due to the confidentiality agreements between the ACCC and the University in their negotiations, the text of the deposition has not yet been released.  University attorneys are still reviewing the text of the deposition, and it should be released soon.  We’ll post it as soon as it’s made available.

b) The Greene County judge has not yet ruled on the University’s motion to dismiss the Faculty lawsuit.  There is no legal deadline for him to do so, and his ruling could come tomorrow or months from now.

c) We’re moving ahead with depositions, and have scheduled two Trustees to be deposed in early September.  Other Trustees and the Chancellor are in the cue.

d) Faculty counsel sent a request to University counsel for electronic documents on July 11.  Most importantly, the request asked the University to produce all e-mails to and from the Chancellor starting in January of ‘07.  We have received a written response, and should be receiving the documents shortly.  At that point we will have to review what has been released, to examine critical absences, and may have to seek the court’s help in compelling production of relevant electronic documents, including, if necessary, forensic retrieval.

On behalf of the faculty I’d like to thank all of you who have supported us in this legal action.  The process is long and painstaking, and of course very expensive, but I’m convinced that the lawsuit (a) has been a primary force in keeping the Board and University at the negotiating table, and (b) has played a very important role in excavating the Board and University processes that led to the closure of the College.  I hope you will continue to show your generosity in this effort to get at the truth and to bring about an autonomous, viable and thriving Antioch College.  Contributions for the Faculty Legal Fund can be directed to the College Revival Fund folks.

For the Faculty,

Bob Devine