Senate Vote Allows Anton to Remain

Non-enrolled Senator Keeps Post by 5-4 Vote

Senate debate regarding controversial student senator Chris Anton surfaced once again during Sunday's meeting of Oberlin's Student Senate. Anton, a sophomore currently on a leave of absence, is now unenrolled and taking correspondence courses at the University of Georgia, although he has retained his position as senator.

In the face of criticism from Oberlin's administration, Anton's fellow senators voted 5-4 against sophomore Kate Davoli's proposal for his removal. Two-thirds of the senate must vote in favor of a senator's removal to enact the measure. Calls for a senator's removal can be based only on the ability of the senator to perform the duties of the position. Davoli said, "I believe we made a wrong decision in letting Chris keep his seat."

Senators proceeded to discuss regulations on who should be allowed to run for Senate as junior Micah Thorner said that some non-Oberlin students have decided to run for Senate. Junior Jane Glynn proposed that Senate uphold the clause in the Senate constitution stating that in order to be elected senator, one must be an Oberlin College student. The proposal passed 7-2 with one abstention.

Senators and administration members also discussed the Senate's expectations of the operations of search committees due to Senate accusations directed toward Dean of Students Peter Goldsmith of inappropriately influencing the search for a director of Residential Life and Services. In the Senate newsletter Sketch, Senators cited Goldsmith's recommendations, solicitation of applicants and attendance of committee meetings as intrusive. Glynn was adamant in emphasizing that administrators should refrain from discussion with the search committee regarding their preferences.

Junior Erika Hansen said, "It's incorrect to believe that the administrator doing the hiring has a greater stake in choosing the candidate just because the administrator will be working with the person who is hired."

Goldsmith retorted, "One responsibility of a search committee is to gather information for the person responsible for actually doing the hiring. If a candidate came to campus who was thouroughly detested, the one making the hiring could ignore all that. But you'd be an idiot if you did."

Hansen said, "Administrators are ultimately responsible to the students and not to one another."

A slight tiff between senators and administrators ensued, as junior Katherine Roberts said to President Nancy Dye, "You're saying we should trust you completely. Trust takes time to develop." Dye responded, asking, "Why are you assuming a conflict mode? This is like taking a giant hammer to something that perhaps doesn't need a giant hammer."

Roberts proceeded to propose a question and answer forum between students and senators tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Feb 27 at 4:30 p.m. Senators hope the forum will facilitate better understanding and familiarity beween senators and the student body.