Security at Loggerheads

Something stinks in Safety and Security, and it's been that way for too long. Increasing tensions between management and officers have risen sharply in the last two years, creating a less than amicable working environment. While the Review has followed Security management and OCSA (Oberlin College Security Association)'s tense relationship through countless stories, these articles only paint part of the picture. Our news pages only hint at what really goes on behind closed doors, because no one from either side is willing to break the conflict down into its simplest components.

When the current head of Safety and Security, Keith James, assumed his position five years ago, he instituted a series of changes. Among other things, James revised the officers' working schedule, attempting to spread the experienced personnel across the 24/7 schedule Security runs. Officers balked at the changes and have been at loggerheads ever since over increasingly trivial issues. What is comes down to is that both parties do not seem to work well together, and both levy legitimate arguments against each other. Maybe James had every right to expect his staff to work the less-popular shifts, upsetting the family lifestyles of several officers. At the same time, James may not have established these changes in the most diplomatic fashion. When dealing with a union, especially one dominated by veteran officers, you have to expect to give a little in order to get a little. On the flip side, Security officers look at James' management practices as inflexible, dictatorial exercises. OCSA has reacted with a paper-shuffling standoff. Petty complaints escalate to formal grievances that need to be arbitrated by Human Resources. So many grievances have been produced by OCSA that they eat up a substantial amount of Human Resources time.

Things got so bad last year that Interim Director of Student Life Deb McNish took an active role in the everyday running of security. She eventually relinquished complete control back to James, but it would seem that they are right back where they started: neither side willing to give an inch. What's left to do? An administrator outside of Security needs to get involved and start mending fences before these disagreements are beyond repair.

Housing Options

This past weekend, the Board of Trustees discussed the prospect of building new campus housing. The Residential Design Initiative was recently formed by a group of students looking to gain some input in this decision process. This idea seems quite in the works and could become reality before we even know it. While the thought of new housing does have some merit behind it, our student body must become more aware of this issue and decide whether it even is necessary.

The opinions of many students seem to be focused upon the inevitability of the "grown-up feeling," or the fact that a certain point comes in one's college career when dorm life becomes too restrictive, both physically and emotionally. Many college highlights tend to gravitate around one's house, housemates and house events, parties, catastrophes and the like. Is there enough interest in campus housing to warrant new buildings?

Another question regards the possible location of these new buildings and funding thereof. Our campus, while small and friendly, could become a little too compact with the addition of even more structures. And while lack of on-campus living was indeed a serious issue last fall, there have been more complaints about the too-small number of faculty in various departments and the slowly increasing class size. What would the effect of additional campus housing be on the town's economy? Renting to students, many landlords have gotten away with few estate improvements and renovations, resulting in decreased property values all around. Is there enough demand in town to replace what would have been student renters?

On the other hand, on-campus living does tend to be pretty convenient. A number of students choose to live in dorms for four years because of this. You are guaranteed a relatively clean bathroom, washing machines and dryers and a bunch of interesting first-year neighbors. You're within quick walking distance of your classes, Wilder and Mudd.

There are a lot of issues at stake here. It is imperative that student input both occurs and is considered seriously. Only let's not forget the fun times associated with campus fixtures such as Ministry (in its hey-day, of course), Banana House (also in years past), Crack House, Big Five, Bug House and Blue House.