Office of General Counsel FAQs

Q: Who does the Office of the General Counsel represent?
A: The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice and representation to Antioch University, including all its campuses and programs. This includes providing advice and counsel to the Board of Governors, Boards of Trustees, administrators, faculty and staff acting in their official capacities on a variety of issues affecting the University. The Office of General Counsel does not represent individual faculty, staff members or administrators in personal legal matters outside the scope of University business. Back to Top

Q: What type of legal services does the Office of General Counsel provide?
A: The Office of General Counsel provides a full range of legal services from risk management to litigation in the wide variety of fields affecting higher education, including student and faculty issues, labor and employment, and corporate governance, among many others. Back to Top

Q: Will the Office of General Counsel represent me if I am sued?
A: If you are sued in your official capacity as a University employee, the Office of General Counsel may represent you directly or through counsel engaged by the University. The Office of General Counsel cannot provide legal advice or representation for personal matters. Back to Top

Q: Can I retain outside counsel for a University matter?
A: If sued in your official capacity as a University employee, you should not contact outside counsel without prior written authorization from the Office of General Counsel. If you believe outside counsel is needed for a University matter, please contact us. Only the Office of General Counsel can retain and approve compensation for outside counsel on behalf of the University. Back to Top

Q: Are my communications with attorneys in the Office of General Counsel confidential?
A: Your communications with attorneys in the Office of General Counsel are privileged and confidential as to third parties, but not as to other Antioch University officials. However, we will make every effort to keep your communications confidential to the extent possible. If you have a question about the confidentiality of a particular conversation with an attorney in the Office of General Counsel, please ask before that conversation begins. Back to Top

Q: What should I do if I receive a document, email, or call from an outside attorney?
A: If you are contacted by an attorney about some aspect of the work of Antioch University, notify the Office of General Counsel immediately. The Office of General Counsel will work with you to determine what steps are necessary. Please do not communicate in any way with an attorney representing someone who is contemplating, threatening, or engaged in a lawsuit against Antioch University. Back to Top

Q: What do I do if I learn of something that I think may be unethical or illegal?
A: If you learn of something that you think may be unethical or may lead to a claim or lawsuit being filed against Antioch University, you should immediately report the matter to the Office of General Counsel. For easy anonymous or acknowledged reporting of concerns, the Office of General Counsel maintains a 1-800 telephone line and web reporting, accessible via our website.  Back to Top

Q: Where can I find the policies for the Office of General Counsel and Antioch University?
A: The Office of General Counsel Policy, which provides greater detail on many of the questions raised here, is Policy 3.111.
All the policies that pertain to Antioch University are available on the Office of General Counsel website. Back to Top

Q: Should I contact the Office of General Counsel directly?
A: The primary objective of the Office of General Counsel is to ensure that Antioch University is operating within the law at all times. To do this, the Office of General Counsel should be aware of all transactions and activities of the University including those that are in preliminary stages. Early involvement will ensure limited risk exposure to the University’s finances, personnel and public image.
While encouraging communication, however, the Office of General Counsel must also effectively manage communications, prioritize needs, and optimize the use of limited resources. The Policy of the Office of General Counsel, provides that the Chancellor, Chair of the Board of Governors, Presidents, and Vice-Chancellors shall have direct access to attorneys in the Office of General Counsel. Members of the campus Boards of Trustees should ordinarily communicate with the Office of General Counsel through the Board Chair to the campus President or Chair of Board of Governors. Faculty and staff should ordinarily raise concerns through the Chancellor, campus President, or Vice Chancellor as appropriate. Back to Top

Q: How can I contact the Office of General Counsel?
A: The Office of General Counsel is located at 888 Dayton Street, Suite 102 in Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. We can be reached by telephone at 937.769.1348 or by fax at 937.769.1350. Back to Top