Senate has two proposals to increase awareness

To the Editors:

In light of the Dean of Students search committee's selection, many student groups have presented their opinions on the search process and/or its outcome. As the elected representatives of the Student Body, Senate believes it to be our role to address student concerns surrounding this issue. We believe the student body would find the following two actions helpful in addressing some concerns.

Clearly we do not expect any confidential information to be disclosed; however, would appreciate receiving a letter to assist in raising awareness among students in areas of the process that seem unclear to some. If available, it would be helpful if this letter included: the rationale for the faculty and staff appointments to the search committee, a finalized job description that was given to the committee, an official chronology of events associated with the Dean Search, and the committee's rationale for supporting Mr. Goldsmith.

In addition to a letter, Student Senate would like to address the broader concerns raised regarding what some see as unsatisfactory communication between the "administration" and students in search processes in which there seems to be agreement among most members of the entire community that student input is critical. We are concerned that students are not aware of and/or feel there are not adequate ways in which they can effectively present their opinions into such processes. To begin discussing this issue, we would like a forum to be established by any interested students, faculty, staff, or administrators to discuss concerns and possible ways to improve communication in the future.

Noah Kirshbaum, College sophomore and the rest of Student Senate

White woman gives a shout out to Doug E. and Afrocentrism

To the Editors:

(The following is an open letter to the Oberlin College community.)

This scrawny, straight white woman, who may or may not look too boyish, wants to say her peace. You can do with it what you want. My main intent is to express my support for Doug E. Fresh and other artists like him. (I also want to say: I don't mean to imply that Doug E. Fresh would describe himself as "Afrocentric." I don't know if he would.)

At the AIDS benefit concert at the 'Sco on Saturday, Doug E. Fresh asked his audience, basically, if we wanted him to give us something to think about, or if we just wanted him to smile. Those who were there can decide for themselves what they came away with.

As for me, one thing I came away with is an even stronger belief that Afrocentricism is at least one of the keys to the future of our society. And while it is, at its core, about black people, that does not mean that an Afrocentric viewpoint is one from which all people - especially white people - cannot benefit. If you do not, at least, have a basic respect and understanding for Afrocentrism, then maybe you should pause and think and do a little learning. You better believe this country is expecting some changes.

Doug E. Fresh addressed his audience with love and respect, in addition to presenting music which moved more than just your body. Also, interestingly enough, he called to our attention - while no one else at the college had, as far as I knew - the suicide of a young black man in the town of Oberlin this past week.

Just within this Oberlin community, there are so many ways you can make an impact. For just one, ask yourselves the importance of supporting and listening to people such as hip-hop artists. (The folks who got Doug E. Fresh to come to Oberlin deserve some praise here!) Art is powerful - make no mistake about it.

Yeah. And I'd also like to say, that, especially as a white woman, I'm awfully glad Oberlin made the effort to have security there at the concert on Saturday. There were a lot of black men there.

Leigh Ann Keichline, College senior