Last Sunday’s Student Senate meeting saw the return of the long-simmering issue of the Oberlin Wal-Mart. Senate member Colin Koffel introduced an anti-Wal-Mart proposal that sparked intense discussion among his fellow Senators.

Koffel’s proffered policy is intended to prevent the direct or indirect transfer of any Oberlin College funds to Wal-Mart. He suggested the Student Finance Committee be directed to refuse to fund any portion of a student organization’s budget that goes toward Wal-Mart purchases.  Additionally, Koffel proposed that the Senate work with Oberlin’s Purchasing Committee to stop college funds from going to Wal-Mart.

“Wal-Mart has poor labor relations and is anti-union,” said Koffel.  He added that Wal-Mart is predatory and exploitative, citing Wal-Mart’s stingy healthcare plan as further reasons for boycotting the discount retailer.

Student Senator and College junior Nancy Nguyen responded by suggesting that the SFC be granted additional funding to cover the cost of student clubs buying from potentially more expensive stores as a result of a ban.

Discussion was heated although there was general agreement in support of the sentiment driving the proposal.

“I agree with Colin [Koffel], but I’m not sure if we can say, ‘you can’t shop here, you can’t shop there,’” said Senator and College junior Colin Jones.

“Do the practices of Wal-Mart fit with our school’s mission?  We are a unionized campus.  There is a consensus on some issues here,” said Student Senator and College Junior Brendan Morris.

Despite the excited dialogue created by the Wal-Mart issue, the Senate ultimately came to the unanimous decision to pen a temporary and “purely informative” proposal to the College purchasing committee, requesting that it examine Wal-Mart’s conduct to see if it is in line with Oberlin’s standards.

Additionally the Student Senate addressed renewing funding for Ohio Public Interest Research Group. In order to maintain Oberlin’s chapter, there’s an eight dollar fee to be paid per head. Every two years OPIRG petitions to renew the fee’s collection.

OPIRG representatives, Gabriele Johnson — College sophomore — and Deborah Slosberg met with Senators to get the language for the re-authorization petition approved, as required by the group’s by-laws.

OPIRG describes itself as “a statewide, student directed, non-profit environmental and consumer rights organization…working to hold politicians and corporations accountable to the public interest.”

According to Slosberg, Oberlin’s OPIRG Organizer, 60 percent of the fee goes to funding the campus campaigns and paying the campus organizer. The remaining 40% supports the national organization.

“It really is a lot of work,” said Johnson. “When you have four campaigns, it is better to have someone fulltime.”

Some Senators were skeptical of the organization’s request. 

“I’m not sure [OPIRG] gets as much done as it could,” said Senator and College junior Erin Morey. “And what is in it for the student?”

Ultimately, the Senate unanimously passed a proposal originating with Koffel to approve the petition and appoint a handful of Senators to coordinate with OPIRG on the final product.