Mailing neglects off-campus assault

Downtown Oberlin is the metropolis of student life in many respects. Whether students are in need of a cup of coffee, a new pair of sneakers or a tube of toothpaste, they will often travel into Downtown Oberlin, which is only a short distance away from the campus. It is one of the central locations in Oberlin that students frequently go to eat, shop and mingle. The City of Oberlin is intrinsically intertwined with the College and the daily life of the students, faculty and their families. With this in mind, it is difficult to consider that the Feve is less apart of the campus as the Oberlin Inn. The Office of Safety and Security's choice in sending an all-campus mailing last week only about the first assault is acting irresponsibly by not informing the community about the second.

Director of Safety and Security Keith James said last week, "I don't want to get into the habit of sending out a mailing [about everything that happens off campus]." Two assaults occurred last week. The first, behind the Oberlin Inn, was reported in an all-campus mailing, but the Office of Safety and Security chose not to send out an all-campus mailing concerning the incident by the Feve. Even though the Oberlin Inn is considered to be part of this campus, why would the Office of Security neglect to send an all-campus mailing about the assault by the Feve, a local coffee shop that is visited by many students?

Security has acted responsibly to provide a Shuttle Service to students on and off campus, but if Security is truly concerned about safety, it should encourage awareness. Students need to be aware of assaults that occur around campus in order to take the right precautions. The Office of Safety and Security should "get into the habit of sending out a mailing" when it comes to assaults that involve students and faculty either on or off campus.