May 10, 1996

If there were a class about legend and myth at Oberlin College, rumors of a cross-campus tunnel network would definitely make the syllabus. Stories of underground paths that lead from Harkness bowl to the language house complex or radiate outward from Asia House tempt both the adventurous and the bored.

A few of these legendary tunnels do exist. The largest network is connected to Mudd Center. Another, perhaps the most well known among students, is the one under the language house complex of German, Spanish and Third World houses. There are also paths under Lord-Saunders.

However, according to Gene Matthews, Director of Facilities Maintenance, with the exception of a short tunnel that runs from Asia house to Bosworth, none of the other tunnels reach beyond the buildings to which they are attached. The legendary tunnels that some students say span large portions of the campus are merely fable.

An expedition into these tunnels also found a dozen or so exit signs and dorm room light covers, along with an occasional aluminum can and cigarette butt. They also contained a large amount of dust. The room allows easy access to the equipment, which Matthews says need fairly regular maintenance.

Besides the campus tunnels, Matthews also mentioned two other points of possible interest of which students might not be aware. The first is the basketball court located in the basement of Asia house. The gym is not opened frequently, however.

Another place was the swimming pool in Philips Gym, which has windows below the water level. Observers can stay dry while watching someone swimming in the pool.

But the most frequented tunnels are the ones underneath the program houses, even though many of them lead to nothing more than rooms.

“I expected more insects. I had a cave sort of picture, or of a secret basement,” said a[n] anonymous male. Exploring was “kind of fun, kind of depressing. It was depressing to find out it was just a big room. It was more fun until we turned the lights on.”