The Oberlin Review
<< Front page News October 1, 2004

Trustees hear student issues

Class trustees: Trustees, Ni’Ja Watson and Catherine Blauvelt converse with students.
 

Concerns over theater space and the College’s ongoing labor disputes dominated the agenda at the Class Trustee Open Forum at 9:15 p.m. Thursday. The forum, which was held in Wilder, was an opportunity to voice student concerns prior to this weekend’s trustee meeting. Two class trustees were present: Catherine Blauvelt of the 2002 class and Ni’Ja Whitson of 2003. No alumni trustees attended the forum, which coincided with the first presidential debate.

The meeting began with comments from Space, an organization which advocates the building of more student theater space. Space held a massive demonstration at last semester’s trustee forum.

Citing their unsuccessful campaign a year ago, members asked the trustees if they had any ideas to help them to influence the College. One suggestion was to include as many different groups and people in their proposal and advocate theater space that can also be used as a dance studio, jazz rooms or general use space.

However, the trustees cautioned the group that theater construction was not a top priority for fundraising.

The largest topic of discussion at the forum was the recent union contract negotiations. Union Solidarity, a blanket group of student organizations supporting the unions, made it clear that the difficulties between the College and OCOPE had a widespread impact on students as well.

It was pointed out that if a strike were to occur, it would certainly disrupt classes. Not only would some classes have to be moved off campus, but many classes are too big to do so. There were also concerns that if student workers didn’t cross picket lines, they would be replaced.

“One of the main things this College is respected for is the learning and labor policy,” one student commented. “The disrespect of workers is really out of line.”

Union Solidarity complained that they had not been able to meet with President Nancy Dye to discuss the labor negotiations. The president has refused to comment on the negotiations outside of periodic letters, e-mails and press releases originating from her office.

The trustees responded that they would do their best to express all these concerns at the meeting, but that as trustees their role is to support the president and what she is doing.

“The student voice does matter,” Blauvelt said. “You might not see changes right away, but things are changing. That’s why we are here: the trustees do care.”

Two other issues were raised at the end of the meeting: there was a request for financial transparency, especially in regards to tuition, and in administrative decision-making. Another student expressed concern that the College’s fundraising reports might contain shoddy math.
 
 

   

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