Administration Discusses Assault
 
To the Oberlin Community:

Our community is one which requires the free and open exchange of ideas. Indeed, we can only achieve our common purposes as a community of scholars by finding the means of airing our differences — even agreeing to disagree — in ways that are both impassioned and peaceful, compelling and well-reasoned. 
Recently an incident occurred on campus which poses a serious affront to our community and its values. Shortly before spring break, three Oberlin students and a College employee were arrested for entering a student’s room in Barnard Hall and reportedly roughing him up. The individuals now face both criminal and campus judicial charges.
Our campus thrives on respect and civil discourse, even when we disagree strongly with one another. It is precisely the strength of our convictions that demands that we have the means of expressing them without fear of physical harm — and that we find the means of expressing our disagreement in ways that persuade with words, rather than physical force.
On behalf of the entire College community, we wish to express our regret that this incident occurred and that a student was hurt. The College will not tolerate violence — or threats of violence — against others on our campus, and we will prosecute fully any individuals who are involved in this or in any other such incident.
We must have open and honest dialogue over our differences in order to protect the rights of everyone here at Oberlin. Incidents of this kind should never happen again.

–Nancy Dye
College President

–Peter Goldsmith
Dean of Students