If you’ve ever perused the Oberlin website or attended an info session, you might know that we tout an impressive 175+ student clubs and organizations, including club sports, special interests, performing arts, and religious groups, among other things! As a fourth-year at Oberlin, I’ve had plenty of chances to dabble with these orgs, and I thought I would tell you about a few of the ones I’ve been involved with.
1. OCircus/Oberlin College Aerialists/Tumbling Club was the first student org I joined, and I eventually became vice president in the Spring of my first year. I’m no longer a super active member of the club, but I still have many friends who are members. OCircus will always hold a special place in my heart, as it welcomes all participants regardless of experience.
2. The Bike Co-op is a group of students who teach bike repair skills and maintain a collection of necessary tools for fixing common bike issues. There are A Lot of Bikes on our campus, and the Bike Co-op is an important part of keeping those bikes functional. They also host movie screenings and rent out free bikes every semester.
3. Oberlin Contact Improv Collective, not to be confused with Oberlin College Improv Conference, is a group that hosts and organizes contact improv jams and other dance events. I became a co-chair in my sophomore year and have been involved ever since! Although OCIC does not host regular meetings, there are contact jams every Sunday, and at least a few special events every semester.
4. The Experimental College is a unique part of Oberlin that relates to broader American history—several other colleges throughout the US hosted experimental colleges, led by students, during the 5os and 6os. These organizations were meant to supplement the traditional topics being offered in the classroom to include marginalized voices and hands-on learning. Although these “ExCos” eventually died out, Oberlin has maintained the ExCo system as a way for students to teach each other about topics of their choice.
5. WOBC is our student radio station, which broadcasts 24/7 during the semester. Which means 168 unique hour-long radio shows, if you’re counting. I had a show in the Spring of my first year at Oberlin with two of my friends, when we bravely conquered the air waves at 4am every Wednesday. I’m not sure if I would have the stamina required to do that kind of thing again, but it was certainly a foundational part of our friendship.
6. Obility is an advocacy group that brings disabled students together to create solidarity and provide support for navigating college resources. All students are welcome to attend meetings, which are held in a hybrid format to allow people to participate from Zoom.
7. Oberlin Line Dance, by far the newest on this list, was just chartered this semester, but has been around unofficially for a few years. Every other Monday, students gather at the Dionysus Disco (or, more affectionately, the Sco) to stomp and spin in unison. The music is loud, the lights are hot, and everyone works up a good sweat. Sometimes there’s popcorn!
To me, extracurriculars are one of the things that makes Oberlin special. Besides our academic commitment in the classroom, Obies are also highly dedicated to our student clubs, which serve as hubs of social networking and unique hands-on learning experiences. For many students, these organizations spark an interest or provide a leadership opportunity that ultimately defines their career. These are just a handful of the clubs that have shaped my Oberlin experience, and I hope to join a few more before I graduate!
