Promoting Healthy Environments
Involvement in campus and community organizations is an important aspect of college life, and you will likely have a positive experience in most organizations you will participate in at Oberlin. However, destructive and high-pressure religious, political, and social groups exist, so it is vital to learn how to avoid them to protect yourself from the harm they may cause. Any religious, political, or social group that practices deceptive, destructive, or high-pressure tactics is not welcome on Oberlin’s campus and should be avoided for your well-being.
Oberlin College’s guidelines for recognized religious communities prohibit behaviors such as deceptiveness, proselytizing (outreach that applies pressure or exploits vulnerabilities), and harassment. If you need any support navigating a relationship with a destructive or high-pressure group, contact the Director of ORSL, Samia Mansour.
*The following content based on information provided by Johns Hopkins University Campus Ministries. Used with permission.
- Lack of Formal Recognition
- The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life holds relationships with many clergy and religious and spiritual organizations in the local area. If you are unsure about a group that you are connected to, or are facing challenges, contact the Director of ORSL, Samia Mansour.
- Deceptiveness or Misinformation
- The information the group provides about itself is not clear, complete, or honest. You might be invited to events for which the purpose and details are not clear or turn out to be not what they were supposed to be. In addition, the organization’s procedures regarding leadership, resources, etc., may not be transparent and available.
- Outreach Exceeds Your Comfort Level
- The group’s outreach may involve pressure or occur in inappropriate methods, times, or places—violating your privacy. The group may not honor your refusal of such outreach. Outreach may be excessive flattery, discouraging doubts or questions, and seemingly instant friendships with everyone. You may be asked to reach out to others before you are involved in or know the group well.
- Isolation or Separation
- The group encourages you to separate from your family or friends or be friends only with other group members. Having different friends or involvements is criticized, discouraged, or seen as a lack of loyalty to the group.
- Unhealthy Behaviors
- The group encourages you to engage in unhealthy, unethical, or illegal behaviors such as underage or excessive alcohol or other drug use, neglect of your physical health (e.g., sleep, exercise, nutrition), neglecting your studies and other interests, etc.
- Fear, Guilt, and Shame
- The group’s messages or activities cause you to feel anxiety, depression, or unworthiness. Involvement seems to take a toll on your self-esteem.
- Absolutism
- The group aggressively seeks to substitute your old views and values for new ones and insists on unquestioned obedience and loyalty by limiting independent thought or action. Doubts and questions are seen as weaknesses or lack of commitment. Power is not open and shared. The leadership seems controlling rather than empowering of students. The group may also encourage prejudice toward minorities or other groups.
- Concern By Those Close To You
- Your involvement in the group is causing concern for your family, friends, or mentors based on their interests in your well-being.
Destructive and high-pressure groups tend to prey on people who are vulnerable in some way. Some ways you might be susceptible include:
• Being a new student in college and potentially new to this area or the United States
• Being homesick or lonely and feeling a strong need to meet new friends quickly
• Having experienced a change in your relational or romantic life (including grief)
• Having difficulty with schoolwork or other areas of your life (health, finances, etc.)
• Being in a time of transition in some way, such as trying to choose a major or career
• Being disillusioned by having had an experience that shakes up your worldview
These experiences are natural parts of life that almost everyone experiences at some time or another. A good coping strategy involves reaching out to family, friends, advisors, mentors, and supportive communities. However, it is important to be careful of individuals and groups who might take these opportunities to exploit your discomfort and pain against your best interests.
If you are approached by what you think may be a destructive or high-pressure group, the best advice is not to give out any personal contact information, to say you are not interested, and to walk away. You could also ask for written information and tell them you will contact them if interested. For your protection and that of other students, and consistent with the expectations underlying the student rules and regulations, you are expected to report such experiences to Oberlin College staff.
You are also welcome to discuss healthy organizations and groups with Oberlin College faculty and staff, who want you to make good connections and find community at Oberlin. Particularly regarding spiritual communities, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life exists to help you find healthy communities. Our Director, Samia Mansour, is here to support your exploration of healthy communities and can offer support in navigating challenging relationships.
Other offices, such as the Multicultural Resource Center, the Bonner Center for Service and Learning, the Student Union Office, and Athletics, can also help you connect with the many healthy and positive student organizations and activities at Oberlin.