Temporary closure of Antioch campus facilities – Antioch Santa Barbara

Dear AUSB Community,

Enclosed is an important memo from Chancellor Groves regarding our collective efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the difficult decision to temporarily close all Antioch University campuses through April 30, 2020. Our campus facility will do so today Wednesday, at the close of business, 5 pm. All university and campus services will continue in a remote capacity.  
 
This extraordinary measure is being taken for everyone’s safety and well being during this public health emergency. 
 
As we enter this new territory together, please know that as an academic learning community, we resolve to actively support students to continue their progress in meeting learning goals for the current and future term. I am confident in our dedicated faculty and hardworking staff to assist all students.
 
I encourage you to maintain contact with academic program chairs, directors, coordinators, and supervisors and welcome you to contact me directly with questions or concerns.
 
Sincerely,
 
Barbara Lipinski, JD, PhD
Provost and CEO
 
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To: Antioch University Students, Faculty and Staff

From: Chancellor Bill Groves and University Leadership

Subject:  Temporary closure of Antioch campus facilities through April 30, 2020

Our collective efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus will be the only difference between catastrophic levels of sickness and a shorter pandemic that will take a less destructive course.  We all hope for the latter, but we are also increasingly aware that half-measures and less disruptive steps will not do what is needed to avoid an unacceptable outcome.  

So in order to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, their families and communities, we will be temporarily closing Antioch facilities in Seattle, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Keene, and Yellow Springs, Ohio through April 30, 2020.  Members of our campus leadership have been planning for such an eventuality and will continue to pursue arrangements for remote instruction and work, as well as for the maintenance of essential services. The Antioch University Santa Barbara campus facility will close today March 18, at 5 pm. All university instruction and campus services will continue remotely. 

As has been noted from the start of this crisis, our absolute first priority has to be everyone’s health and safety.  The rising numbers of students who have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus and the exponential growth of the numbers of cases across the country make this decision unavoidable. Drastic and immediate actions at the local, state, national and global level are taking place, and we believe that these are essential to our collective and individual well-being.  We all must do our part by acting quickly to minimize opportunities to spread the virus.

I recognize the extraordinary effort on everyone’s part as we pull together to hold together.  Thank you is clearly not enough, but there are few words that can express our appreciation for your commitment to our students and Antioch.