Off the Cuff: Kim Lafond

Kim Lafond is the Director of Residential Life and Dining Services. The Review took a moment to speak with this fairly new Administrative staff member in his office in the basement of Peters.

How long have you been at Oberlin?

I got to here on July 10 of 2000. Really not that long ago.

How did you end up here?

I spent 12 years at New York University as Coordinator for Judicial Affairs. I decided to apply here because I saw it as an opportunity to advance myself professionally. And it has been.

That’s quite a change, from New York City to Oberlin.

Yes, it was. I like it here, though. Want to hear my one criticism? The water.

You mean the taste?

Yes, the taste. I just don’t like it. I drink a lot of bottled water.

Where did you attend school?

For undergrad I was at Eastern Michigan, and majored in public administration and for grad I went to Buffalo for higher education personnel. I guess I always knew I wanted to do management. That is, since I couldn’t make it as a dancer. [Laughs]

Are you originally from Michigan?

Yes. I was born on the upper peninsula and moved to the lower later on. But I lived in New York state for 20 years. That really is my connection.

I imagine your job entails listening to a lot of complaints.

Being the Director of Residential Life and Dining? Of course. All the time. It’s just part of the job. Students come and see me mostly with food and food service complaints.

Do you find that hard?

Oh, it’s challenging. But work’s always challenging.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Just trying to resolve the issues that come up before me. I enjoy the dining comment tables. It’s nice to meet with students and hear what they have to say.

What do you feel is your most difficult part of what you do?

Dining is always ongoing. There are 2,000 people eating. 2,000 different palettes.
In light of the arrest that happened earlier this month, do you feel that the College’s guest policy needs revision?

It’s a good policy. But it has to be enforced and people need to abide by it. If you see someone that looks shady, it’s not that you even need to approach them. Just call security. We need to be aware of what’s going on in our community.

The Review is featuring a story this week about the dorm access policy in effect this Winter Term. What made you decide to enact it for a second time?

I have heard students saying that they don’t like this policy, yet I have also thought of the security on campus during that time, and I have weighed all of this in my mind. The dorm access policy as it is is just not looking at security clearly when fewer students are on campus.

I’ve heard a lot of students saying they feel that the policy encourages door-propping.

You know what I say to students who feel that way? If you see someone doing that, speak up. This is our community and we have control over it. With fewer students on campus in January, we need to increase security and to be aware of who is going into the dorms. If you need to go and visit a friend in another building, you’re going to need to call ahead or e-mail. Have them meet you at the front door.

Which dorm is your favorite?

I’ve been an administrator long enough to say they’re all my favorites.

So if you were a student, which would you pick?

It would be a very difficult decision. I get asked that all the time by parents. It really depends on what you do; if you’re in the Conservatory, or if you’re a first-year, if you like north campus, or south campus. Every building has its own flavor. It really is whatever you want to make it. That’s college.

Do you ever eat at CDS?

Oh, all the time. Lunch, dinner, once in a while breakfast.

What do you think?

I think that they’re on the mark quite a bit. I think its very good. I mean, a lot of people don’t realize that if you head to Dascomb for breakfast you can get a really decent omelette.

Interview conducted by News Editor Rachel Decker.