The College has taken a new tact to flyers around campus decrying alleged profligate expenditures at parties. Instead of simply tearing them down, they’re responding online. Entering the Internet age, administrators have created “FAQs,” or a Frequently Asked Questions web page.
On Wednesday, Oberlin Online prominently featured the “On Campus News” section of their site on the front page. Two new questions were on the site for this month, one dealing with an issue raised in a public letter posted by Socialist Alternative about campus Tuesday.
“I heard there was a $70,000 party to open the new science center?” one question reads.
The response listed below states that the College set a budget of $20,000 for the entire Science Center dedication weekend.
“This included several modest events, including the dedication ceremony itself, a luncheon and dinner for donors and invited guests, and a symposium on science and society,” it reads.
“The dedication was held to honor the many donors who have given in excess of $12 million combined for this project to date and to interest potential donors,” the response continues. “It was also to thank the many workers and union leaders who have been supportive, and to thank faculty and staff members who have helped in planning and who have endured the transition from the old facilties [sic] to the new.”
No writers name is given.
A second response, written by Director of Donor Relations and Development Operations Jane Mathison responds to union members allegations about the cost of the annual holiday party.
“In difficult financial times, it is especially important to create informed opinions based on an accurate set of numbers,” she writes. “The event has a set budget of $7,500.”

“When President Dye arrived on campus, she initiated a policy of inviting all employees to annual events,” Mathison continues. “This had not always been the case and marks her commitment to building a strong community for Oberlin College.”

The site also announced the College’s switching of long distance telephone service from AT&T to Verizon on Tuesday.