On
Campus News On-line
By
John Byrne
The
College has taken a new tact to flyers around campus decrying alleged
profligate expenditures at parties. Instead of simply tearing them
down, they’re responding online. Entering the Internet age,
administrators have created “FAQs,” or a Frequently
Asked Questions web page.
On Wednesday, Oberlin Online prominently featured the “On
Campus News” section of their site on the front page. Two
new questions were on the site for this month, one dealing with
an issue raised in a public letter posted by Socialist Alternative
about campus Tuesday.
“I heard there was a $70,000 party to open the new science
center?” one question reads.
The response listed below states that the College set a budget of
$20,000 for the entire Science Center dedication weekend.
“This included several modest events, including the dedication
ceremony itself, a luncheon and dinner for donors and invited guests,
and a symposium on science and society,” it reads.
“The dedication was held to honor the many donors who have
given in excess of $12 million combined for this project to date
and to interest potential donors,” the response continues.
“It was also to thank the many workers and union leaders who
have been supportive, and to thank faculty and staff members who
have helped in planning and who have endured the transition from
the old facilties [sic] to the new.”
No writers name is given.
A second response, written by Director of Donor Relations and Development
Operations Jane Mathison responds to union members allegations about
the cost of the annual holiday party.
“In difficult financial times, it is especially important
to create informed opinions based on an accurate set of numbers,”
she writes. “The event has a set budget of $7,500.”
“When
President Dye arrived on campus, she initiated a policy of inviting
all employees to annual events,” Mathison continues. “This
had not always been the case and marks her commitment to building
a strong community for Oberlin College.”
The
site also announced the College’s switching of long distance
telephone service from AT&T to Verizon on Tuesday.
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