Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Antioch University Chancellor looking to move from YS

Antioch University Chancellor Toni Murdock has a "for sale" sign in front of her house in Yellow Springs. Is this a sign of movement of a more significant nature? Well, maybe yes and maybe no, according to Antioch University Director of Public Relations Lynda Sirk in a telephone interview today.

"When Toni came to Yellow Springs it was to help and facilitate the college while the board was trying to get it back on its feet," Sirk said.

Now that the interim board and the university are on the brink of reaching an agreement, and Antioch McGregor has a new president, Dr. Michael Fishbein, there is less reason for Murdock to live in Yellow Springs. Antioch University has five campuses in four states coast-to-coast and Murdock also owns a home in Tucson, Ariz. According to Sirk, Murdock is happy with the way the negotiations with the "board pro tem" have been going, especially after a positive meeting this past Friday.

"Toni is turning her attention to the five campuses nationwide," Sirk said. "She has been spending most of her time on the road, governing from the air. If her home in Yellow Springs sells in this economy, she will live in Tucson until she decides where to go."

According to Sirk, the university's central administration offices will remain here and Murdock will be a frequent visitor.

"We won't notice any difference," Sirk said. "Even though her office is right next to mine, we conduct a lot of business by email. This is not a harbinger of anything but good news: the positive direction of the negotiations [for an independent Antioch College]; and the new President at McGregor."

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