Multiculturalism Sparks Student-Trustee Debate

Students Voiced Concerns at Open Trustee Forum

Multiculturalism was the hot issue at the Board of Trustees's open forum for students last night. The forum is the students¹ only direct link to the Board of Trustees, which will meet tomorrow morning. Students voiced concerns to the three Class Trustees who sit on the Board. Class Trustees serve three-year terms and are elected from the three most recent classes to have graduated from the school. The recent protest by dance students has brought the issue of multiculturalism on campus to a fore. Despite this, attendance was sparse due to lack of publicity and its time conflict with the ³Colors of Rhythm² dance performance.

Students expressed concern over the lack of tenure track positions for faculty members of color in every department, as well as the need for new departments devoted to multicultural studies. Students specified requests for an Ethnic Studies Department and an East Asian Studies Department. Moreover, students cited anger over high turnover rate of faculty of color and instances in which minority faculty members were not offered tenure track positions, specifically in the History, Women's Studies, Romance Languages, and Dance Departments. In addition, students expressed frustration with the College for marketing an image of multiculturalism, but failing to support it in practice. The Board representatives recognized student concerns, saying the College is dedicated to fostering multiculturalism on campus, but stressing that immediate change is often impossible. "As a student it's hard because you want results immediately," said Class Trustee Jessica Darcy ('97). Darcy assured that the College is listening to student concerns regarding the hiring faculty of color.

Dialogue and Discussion: Students talk with Class Trustees. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)

Students suggested the expansion of the Multicultural Resource Center and the installation of a grievance process, which would involve mediated discussions between administration and students, as a means of alleviating racial tension on campus. Although students recognized that new programs cannot be started without proper funding, as one student observed, "funding reflects priorities."

One of the topics to be addressed in tomorrow¹s Trustee meeting is the future of Oberlin College in the larger context of higher education in this country. Competition from state schools is a growing concern, as the College struggles to keep tuition down, while maintaining a high standard of academics.

The College's relationship to the town of Oberlin constitutes another concern of the Board. A committee has been formed to examine this relationship in terms of economic sustainability, as well as issues of safety, off campus housing, and the ability to attract students to the College.

The Board plans to examine the impact of the student population upon the town, as well as the effect upon the Oberlin College community of students living off-campus. While off-campus housing is often less expensive than on-campus housing, students often live in a given location for only one year, causing them to be less concerned with the upkeep of property as a permanent resident would be. "One of the things we need to look at is whether or not having students live off-campus is an unfair burden that Oberlin has put on the town," said Darcy. As an alternative to traditional dormitories, the College may in the future offer apartment style rooms as part of on campus housing.

The Class Trustees encouraged students to voice their concerns, noting President Nancy Dye's willingness to listen to students. Open forums with students are always held the Thursday before the Board of Trustees meets. Students can also attend the Trustee meeting, held tomorrow at 8:15am. Tickets to the meeting are available in the Office of the Secretary.