To the Editors:

I understand that a number of students have been critical of Marvin Krislov for not publicly embracing a position against the City of Oberlin investing in a coal fired power plant (the “AMPGS” plant). I am writing to respectfully share my perspective with these students.

As context for my comments, for the last year and a half, I have served as Chair of Oberlin College’s Committee on Environmental Sustainability (CES), a faculty committee that also includes students, staff, administrators and townspeople that is charged with overseeing the development and implementation of environmental policy for Oberlin College. By becoming one of the fist eight schools to sign the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment in the fall of ’06, Oberlin College committed to a long-term goal of “climate neutrality.” Achieving this goal requires that we reduce energy use on campus and seek energy sources from off campus that minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Burning coal is the most “carbon intense” form of generating electricity, meaning that it produces the most CO2 per unit of electricity delivered. From the perspective of Oberlin College’s environmental policy, it is therefore in the interest of this institution to work with the City to find alternatives to coal.

Over the last eight months I have worked closely with many townspeople, faculty and students on this issue. I have done everything in my power to encourage City Council to vote down investment in the AMPGS plant. I don’t claim that I had a particularly large influence over his decision, but when Marvin Krislov asked me for advice on how he might respond to student calls that he take a public position against the AMPGS plant I strongly encouraged him NOT to take a position. I did so because I firmly believe that such a stand would have been more likely to hurt than to help us in the vote last week. There are members of the Oberlin town community who (with some justification) perceive that the town is too often pushed around by the College. When the President of Oberlin College takes a public stand on controversial legislation pending before City that will clearly affect the economic future of the town, there are many in the community who will perceive this as unwelcome meddling.

When Marvin Krislov accepted the position of President of Oberlin College last spring, I was concerned by the fact that he had absolutely no track record on environmental issues. Since arriving, President Krislov has done much to earn a reputation as a strong and enthusiastic proponent of environmental stewardship at Oberlin College. For those of you concerned with the coal issue, consider this. Under Krislov’s leadership, Oberlin College directed a $90,000 earmarked donation to fund the Concentric Energy study of alternatives to coal fired power for the City of Oberlin. The results of this study were critical in City Council’s decision to reject a 50 -year commitment to AMPGS. I can say with certainty that this study would not have taken place without the vigorous support of our new President.

Oberlin students deserve a great deal of credit for effectively organizing against the AMPGS plant. I doubt that City Council would have voted this plant down without their activism. But I ask you to consider that there are cases in which the President of Oberlin can play a more valuable role through quiet diplomacy than through public proclamations.

 Chair, Committee on Environmental Sustainability